On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:57:43 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

I had an interesting experience with bio-fuel today. I recently
gassed up the outboard tank for my dinghy engine with 10% ethanol. I
took it out for a spin this afternoon and the engine failed because of
a deterioated rubber squeeze bulb. Can ethanol do that? It's the
only explanation that makes sense to me. Fortunately I carry a spare
tank which was enough to get me home.

Over time, yes assuming that it's not ethanol resistant. Instatly,
not likely.

More likely that the flapper valve in the bulb failed if it's old
enough. Had that heppen a time or two.

The side of the rubber bulb actually failed in a big way, starting
with a small pin hole leak and developing into an inch long tear
within minutes.

The engine started missing at speed so I checked the tank vent and
pumped the bulb a few times. That's when I noticed the pin hole leak.
In no time at all the pin hole leak progressed into a full failure.