Ethanol is for drinking not burning

MikeG

VIP MEMBER
Joined
May 31, 2012
Messages
1,242
Country flag
Ethanol is for drinking not burning
 

Attachments

  • Ethanol is for drinking not burning
    20231028_163613.jpg
    265.8 KB · Views: 67
I believe it is simply a matter that ethanol is hygroscopic - so, the water it absorbs will do damage to susceptible parts - as you have shown.
We are currently lucky here, in that we have a choice of non-ethanol fuels - or do we??
 
I believe it is simply a matter that ethanol is hygroscopic - so, the water it absorbs will do damage to susceptible parts - as you have shown.
We are currently lucky here, in that we have a choice of non-ethanol fuels - or do we??
I somehow doubt you'll have the choice for very long unfortunately
 
Ethanol helps your legs work better when you ride a push-bike. It probably increases fuel consumption wheh added to the petrol.
Ethanol has a relatively high latent heat of vaporisation, so would have a cooling effect in the inlet tract of motors. It should cause slight lean-ness and a slight increase in power when the fuel injection adjusts by adding more fuel to compensate.
I use methanol for racing. If I do not drain the carbs after I have used the bike, the white crap can form and start blocking jets. On one bike I was using Mikuni carbs - I had a seizure. When I took the drain screws out to drill them, I discovered they were already drilled. With the MK2 Amals, I just take the jet covers off and put them on the shelf.
 
Sadly, true
Small airports have fuel pumps with "LL100 aviation fuel" - which is leaded, 100 octane, airplane gas containing ZERO ethanol. In the US this fuel contains a blue dye indicating "not for use on public highways" because the road tax hasn't been collected (IDK about other locales). Your vintage Norton Commando will absolutely thrive on this fuel... of course only while being used off of the public highways. Well worth a trip to your local, small airport to check this out. Your Norton will boogie like it's 1971 again!
P.S. This fuel is 100% compatible with original Commando fiberglass petrol tanks. Have been running this for years with zero problems.
 
Small airports have fuel pumps with "LL100 aviation fuel" - which is leaded, 100 octane, airplane gas containing ZERO ethanol. In the US this fuel contains a blue dye indicating "not for use on public highways" because the road tax hasn't been collected (IDK about other locales). Your vintage Norton Commando will absolutely thrive on this fuel... of course only while being used off of the public highways. Well worth a trip to your local, small airport to check this out. Your Norton will boogie like it's 1971 again!
P.S. This fuel is 100% compatible with original Commando fiberglass petrol tanks. Have been running this for years with zero problems.
I have no problems dealing proactively with E-10.
Not being a puddle duck, I burn pump gas all aummer.
Store with non-E, & Sta-Bil, a splash of 2-stroke oil.
I get AVGAS at 7B3.

As a mechanic, I mop up the mess, for F&F, when I can't avoid it. I give Sta-Bil for Christmas.
 
Last edited:
My local airport is Pearson Intnl . I doubt getting past security for said fuel . Cocaine shipments seem to get through no problem so ...There is Stouffville airport for recreational , far to the north east though ...
The float bowl corrosion is likely water IMO. Hygroscopic corrosion , same that attacks brake lines and components of brakes .
 
Small airports have fuel pumps with "LL100 aviation fuel" - which is leaded, 100 octane, airplane gas containing ZERO ethanol. In the US this fuel contains a blue dye indicating "not for use on public highways" because the road tax hasn't been collected (IDK about other locales). Your vintage Norton Commando will absolutely thrive on this fuel... of course only while being used off of the public highways. Well worth a trip to your local, small airport to check this out. Your Norton will boogie like it's 1971 again!
P.S. This fuel is 100% compatible with original Commando fiberglass petrol tanks. Have been running this for years with zero problems.
You need to enter an N number on the pump - make sure your Commando’s N number is the same as an aircraft’s parked out on the ramp… wink 😉
 
You need to enter an N number on the pump - make sure your Commando’s N number is the same as an aircraft’s parked out on the ramp… wink 😉
Not required. This fuel is legal for off-road ground equipment (in the USA), I fill a few cans for my mowers.
 
Last edited:
Pump at my local airport prompts you for N number - I have never tried to complete sale without doing so but I’ll try it and see - you may be right.
No doubt, bigger fields automate. (Paper ledger in Hampton) I have to step inside, let them know I need a few gallons for ground equipment.
 
Just throw one of these additives in for storage of a few weeks or more. Leave the carbs and tank full.
Easy peasy
 
Back
Top