Ethanol Gas Treatment for Polaris Snowmobiles

Many states now have a fuel called e10, which is 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Ethanol is the chemical name for ethyl alcohol. Polaris snowmobile drivers need to be careful if they use e10 for fuel.

  1. Ethanol Effects on Gasoline.

    • Ethanol treated gasoline is dispensed by a green fuel pump

      If a tank of e10 remains stationary for 10 days or more, the ethanol will break free of the gasoline. This can cause the snowmobile to run on pure ethanol, which will ruin the engine. Tank condensation can lead to water absorbing the ethanol. This will damage the engine as well.

    Fuel Additives

    • Game wardens in northern states recommend fuel additives that protect the gasoline from water condensation. There are also additives that can remove the ethanol from the gasoline.

    Alternative Fuels

    • Snowmobile dealers can provide their customers with special racing fuels that have no ethanol added to it. These fuels also help the engine run cooler.

    Frequent Users

    • Most snowmobilers who run their machines at least twice a week during snowmobile season do not have problems with ethanol separation.

    Tip

    • Less frequent snowmobilers can rock their machines at least once a week to prevent ethanol separation and water condensation from the fuel remaining immobile for too long.