ugh! new gas sucks!

Alrighty Chris you are still out and about, cool. There is a conflict of phenomina with 10% ethanol, yes its oxgenated by the hydroxal -OH radical on end of carbon chain that makes an alcohol, but the spike gasoline octane goes up a few points to nulfify some the detonation potential. I just don't know how significant either factor is. Gasohol collects water in bottom of tanks over time, so increases the chance that pump deliver some of that to bottom of carb bowls, which can give hard starts and rough running until enough water collects to prevent even starting.

I've heard of spare spark plugs stored by being screwed into float bowl bottoms so would be extra handy to drain bowls while tank draining before parking an interval.

Ha! Really? They fit? Yah, im still out!

hobot said:

Gasohol collects water in bottom of tanks over time, so increases the chance that pump deliver some of that to bottom of carb bowls, which can give hard starts and rough running until enough water collects to prevent even starting.

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Ethanol is hygroscopic, which means it grabs moisture out of the air, it will also mix with water in tanks and in gas lines, then mix with gas, the mixture will burn. In the old days, we used to add gas line anti-freeze which is basicaly ethanol to prevent water in gas lines from freezing. Over time when left sitting, it will separate, the water being heavier will sink to the bottom and make steel tanks rust, I have also heard that alloy tanks would also be affected.

I got answer from Ultramar (they sell gas in Québec and the maritime provinces), they add 10% on regular, 5% on mid-grade and their top grade does not have any, so far the trend is to add more on the lowest grades and none on the top grades of gas. Could it be that ethanol will lower the octane rating :?:

Jean

Does anyone know what the percentages are in california? Im curious to see if the supreme has ethanol or not. Being california, anything that is said to be green will be implemented on faith alone. Gotta keep the freakin tree huggers happy, and voting!

Ethanol in fuel is of little or no benefit to the environment, and tends to increase the price of staple foodstuffs such as corn, reduces vehicle economy, and of course damages many older vehicles whose fuel systems have not been adapted to use alcohol bearing fuels.

I dont think its going to be too long before the crooks running our Governments come to realise the above, and come up with some ridiculous new scheme to benefit the environment (and make lots of money for their associates in big business of course!).

caddy chris said:

Does anyone know what the percentages are in california? Im curious to see if the supreme has ethanol or not. Being california, anything that is said to be green will be implemented on faith alone. Gotta keep the freakin tree huggers happy, and voting!

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I don't know, but you can buy testing kits on the internet

Got an answer from Esso (Exxon in the US), they add up to 10% ethanol on selected stations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The pumps with ethanol are supposed to have a sticker identifying the presence of ethanol.

Jean

Jeandr said:

Got an answer from Esso (Exxon in the US), they add up to 10% ethanol on selected stations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The pumps with ethanol are supposed to have a sticker identifying the presence of ethanol.

Jean

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Nice to hear Jean, at least for us Canadians.

Hopefully this hasn't been said, I haven't read the entire yet, but; I emailed Shell about a month ago about the same thing. The response said that all shell premium gas is ethanol free, in Canada at least. But it comes out of the same pump as other gas, so the first bit of gas that comes out is gas left behind from the previous person. If they were not using premium, then you will get a bit of ethanol in your fuel. And since motorcycle tanks are so small there's a good chance almost half of it will be full of the other gas type, before the premium (ethanol free) even comes in. I am still wondering what the best way around that is. Maybe bring one of your cars with you and fill it up first so the ethanol goes in it. I don't know. At least they sell ethanol free, high octane gas though. (perfect for your combat!!)

Matt

I have a Shell station near my house that used to sell an ethanol free grade of fuel. The owner says it is no longer ethanol free.

His premium grade of fuel is 91 octane just like everyone else at this altitude but when I attempt to use it in my Norton or my old hi compression Mercedes I get severe spark knock. They have individual pumps and I have asked the owner who says he doesn't know why. I have tried it from time to time over the past year but always get the same result. I would really rather buy fuel from him if it would work but I guess I am stuck with the Loaf n Jug fuel. Jim

I bumped my timing back a bit. Didn't want to mess with the Carbs, but may richen them up a bit. Premium unleaded in my neck of the woods is up around $4.50 a gallon now. I expect it will jump again around memorial day weekend.

My friend shows up with his MK III not running very well. He topped off the tank while having some leftover gas from last year. I took off the Mikuni and found something growing in the float bowl. Seems the brass parts don't like our gas either for extended periods of time just sitting in there........... Think Green ! :mrgreen:
One of my policies has always been to disconnect the fuel lines from my carbs because the petcocks will leak small amounts over extended periods and gunk up the carb.

This is the float bowl for the above carb picture ...........


Tim_S

That looks just like the float bowl on my dirtbike last spring. I thought it must be colored by some additive in the 2 stroke oil. I guess not. Jim