Ethanol and Fiberglass fuel tanks

[Art Mullinax]

Below is a URL to an article in Boat US concerning the gasoline additive Ethanol and its reaction with fiberglass fuel tanks. For all of us with A4's this additive may be of some concern. Seems the Ethanol has a reaction with fiberglass and causes a sludge to build up in the tank which can cause engine problems and fuel tank leaks.




http://www.boatus.com/news/releases/2005/october/alert.asp

 

[Joe Benedict]

Moyer Marine has been following this issue also. I sent a response to Boat U.S. about fueling facilities. The question I had was while I may have an aluminum tank, many fueling facilities (marina or the gas station) have converted from steel to fiberglass tanks. Could I be fueling my boat with their problems?

 

[Guy Stevens]

I don't think so

Moyer Marine has been following this issue also. I sent a response to Boat U.S. about fueling facilities. The question I had was while I may have an aluminum tank, many fueling facilities (marina or the gas station) have converted from steel to fiberglass tanks. Could I be fueling my boat with their problems?

The tanks in most fueling stations are coated on the OUTSIDE with figerglass. The tanks themselves are actualy steel. There are a lot of EPA regulations for this process, and some fire stuff etc.

I am 90 percent sure of this, but if you want to be 100% sure, I can check with a friend of mine that owns the largest fuel dispencening and fuel storage tank manufacturing plant in the US. When I last toured it the above was shown to me, how to get the figerglass to absolutely stick to the steel, and how to avoid any air pockets etc.

Guy