Fuel

Despite the scare stories, you should be able to leave a bike a fair while before you get fuel problems, particularly if you use top grade petrol (I use BP Ultimate 'cos that's what the local garage sells).

As mentioned in a previous thread, I recently started a BSA A10 which had been standing with petrol in the tank for 16 years. Not recommended with present day petrol!

The one bike which has given problems is a Yamaha Diversion which was standing with regular petrol in the tank. All the jets are furred and can you get new jets? Not easily...

ESSO synergy Supreme+ (97 RON) with a red label. Been in my bikes since last Summer and is E0. Not available in Scotland, Teesside distribution area and South West England.

Methanol or no methanol there is still the issue of the tank cap breather allowing the most volitile components to evaporate, these are needed so the spark has something to ignite, so I had to drain and replace a tank full of fuel 2 days ago. I am going to try using cling film under the fuel cap next time I leave a bike with fuel in a tank to stop this. I refueled in nov and parked the bike, 2 days ago it would only fire with ether, so I drained the tank and put it in the car, I then refilled with petrol Ihad bought last sept but kept in a sealed container, fired first kick.

Methanol has other issues to add to the volitile evaporation.

I have been told that the local (Arbroath, Scotland) Shell expensive petrol doesn't contain ethanol. Does anyone know if this is true?

Regards,

Paul

Paul, you could try writing to Shell, though they have in the past been reluctant to confirm the inclusion of ethanol. (I understand they put in V power from 2009) However, in my last correspondence with them (A year ago) they confirmed they had included ethanol across the board to comply with government legislation, though they do supply E0 racing fuel in bulk!. If you see the Tanker driver then ask him. 1) He will carry the spec sheet. 2) Ethanol is added at the distribution centre, last point of call before being driven to delivery, this is to reduce the time for moisture to be added. (One sealed tanker to another)

John, because of the ethanol problem, Roger Parker of the MG club recommended filling the tank up (Not to allow room for water) and cling film a seal over the filler entry. Don't forget to remove it when using the vehicle.

Of course non of this is necessary when using E0.

Nonsense! A half empty tank will collect water, from condensation, regardless of what fuel is used ( petrol or diesel). I am NOT pro ethanol, but, it has done no harm to any of the engines I own, car, bike, mower, chainsaw, or strimmers.

Nonsense! A half empty tank will collect water, from condensation, regardless of what fuel is used ( petrol or diesel). I am NOT pro ethanol, but, it has done no harm to any of the engines I own, car, bike, mower, chainsaw, or strimmers.

Good for you, John but what of the people who have been badly affected?

In the aircraft sector, tanks are filled at the end of the day leaving no airspace for condensation. At the beginning of the day, the tank drains are tested for water in the fuel. As has been mentioned in other threads, if you are standing a bike over the winter, the tank should be either full or empty.

As for machinery that has been affected by ethanol in petrol. In my case, one motorcycle, one Land Rover, one rotavator. All on regular unleaded. And yet no other problems since I switched everything to premium petrol and a splash of 2 stroke oil in the petrol for anything left standing.

An ultrasonic cleaner is on my list. It was on last month's list but I blew the budget with some new riding gear instead - it's the bike season at last!