The Confusion of Fuel Additives is about to Change

There has been nothing short of chaos in the past 15 years with ethanol gasoline, it has been a constant problem for the marine industry as outboard motors continue to have problems! The ethanol gas continues to collect water, dirt, and cause big problems for the occasional boater who uses his boat 8 to 10 times a year. Nothing has puzzled the engineers more than trying to find ways to fix the issues caused by ethanol based fuel.

As the progression of ethanol and its complications to outboard motors grows fuel additives have become a big factor in countering the affects of the fuel. There is however been an issue with the additives; not all are created equal and many manufactures of these additives have come up with their own solution to the problem further complicating the additive market. Which additive is the right one to use, what company has the formula correct and ultimately which additive does you the consumer purchase? All good questions with no proven specifications to guide the consumer while trying to purchase an additive that ultimately fixes the issues caused by ethanol gas! That is about to change! 揟o address this problem, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is in the process of developing a specification and certification for a marine grade fuel additive, similar to the NMMA Certification program developed for 2- and 4-cycle marine motor oils.

The program is designed to address problems that ethanol may cause in marine applications and engine problems that may have actually been caused by some fuel additives. The program will certify fuel additives that meet NMMA抯 specification. Most importantly, the program is designed to ensure an NMMA certified fuel additive will not cause engine damage.?A big step forward for the consumer, a standard that will take the guess work out of fuel additives and ensure that your outboard motor runs correctly and is not being further complicated and hence damaged by additives that can hurt your engine and cost you unintended consequences.