TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Bad Gas-what to do?

We found that our normally excellent dingy engine would not start well. it used to start on literally the first 1/2 pull, now it took 5+.
First course of action is to replace your gas, but what to do?

I went to the only gas station in town and asked for "an environmentally friendly" way to get rid of my 4 gallons of old gas. asked if there is a oil dump or gas dump. no answer, but they are looking nervous as I proceed. I then ask if there is a place on the island that does oil changes, no idea but they are getting more nervous looking as I proceed.

After a long bout of this, they point to the trash can in front of the station, in front of that trash can is a white plastic jerry can, where you can put the gas.
"thats where everyone in town puts it"
so, the question had to be asked, "what do they use it for?"

To clean the bilges of the ferries <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

"Marvel Mystery Oil"..add it to your gas..about capful per tank. This was recommended to me by an old Navy salt who told me how they used it on Navy ships. I had misfire /bad start problems with my 73 VW Thing until I used this stuff..it has never failed to make the engine run well..you can get it all over..Budget Marine has it in all sizes..

Marvel Mystery Oil works great. My daughter had an old Buick V-8 and told me one night the engine was making a knocking noise. I checked and there was no oil at all on the dipstick, the garage mechanic said the motor bearings were shot. Long story short I put in MMO and the motor knock disappeared and never came back. Kept the car until it was totaled about 18 months later.

Yes..you can add it to oil..or gas..or both..I've only used it as a gas additive and, as said, its been terrific..We leave three vintage cars in Ca. when we come down..1956 Porsche, 1968 Porsche and a 1967 VW Split screen..I fill the tanks and add a little MMO ..seems to keep the damp out and stabilise the gas..do the same with the Thing when we leave here..

There is a free oil/fuel dump at Nanny Cay in the yard. I believe most yards will have something similar.

They do indeed. However my engine went dodgy while out in Anegada. Not having a reliable dingy engine out there in the field while its blowing' 20 is non-optimal. Oars just don't cut it.

Hi Robert, when I read the title of your post I was thinking you were having gastrointestinal issues:

I was ready to give you the following advice:

1. Don't go below decks
2. Don't go on the fore decks when going to windward unless you are single handing.
3. Consider using beano next time iyou cook those red beans and rice.

Glad to hear it was just your dinghy and not you with bad gas.

Cheers,

Your Friend,

Tony

Thought the same as you Tony!!