Ethanol could cause problems for some engines

Ethanol could leave some boaters, mowers out of gas

PITTSBURGH -- If you're having problems getting your lawnmower or boat to start, it might be what's in the gas. A Team 4 investigation found increasing complaints about ethanol in gas and the effect it has on some engines.

What follows is a transcript of the report by Team 4's Paul Van Osdol:

We've found complaints about what ethanol does to lawnmowers, weed whackers, chain saws - and boats.

Federal law says up to 10 percent of gas can contain ethanol. Experts say some engines are just not equipped to handle high ethanol levels. And the problem could get much worse within the next few months.

Every time George Boyle takes out his boat, the first thing he does is climb into the bilge and drain filters designed to keep water from getting into his gas.

Ethanol attracts water, and over time that water can separate from the rest of the gasoline, damaging the engine, especially when the gas sits in the tank for a long time without being used, not unusual for boats.

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