Fuel mixup

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

Running late for leaving to go to Brands I thought I'd top up the tank with some stored fuel to save visiting BP . After tipping in half a gallon I realised that it was thinners (xylene) !.Tank off tip into a couple of spare containers and start again. Now i have a problem, what to do with the 50/50 fuel /thinner mixture? Best if I could tip a bit at a time into the bike and burn it,But is that a good idea?Any chemists here?.

I think you must be crazyto think about putting thinners through your engine even at low dilution.

At worst you could damage the tank or carb or seriously damage the engine.

Or you can just tip away a few quids worth of thinners and petrol

Disposing of old fuel is a bit of a problem, particularly now we have this ethanol rubbish which goes off if not used quickly enough. I have some lawnmower pre-mix which is no good for the mower now, so, like your petrol/thinners mix, what to do with it? Save it for bonfire night?

Years ago when a friend had no money for fuel, I remember him filling up his Suzuki A100 with gunwash thinners (probably used, now I come to think of it). The bike went like a rocket and no adverse effects were noted...

Use it for engine cleaning before disposing of it, no need to waste it!My tip doesnt seem to mind if oil is a bit contaminated with petrol.

I use my unused high octane race 2 stroke fuel in the ride on mower - I love the smell of castor oil in the morning and the Briggs and Stratton seem to likeit!

I used to mix my own race fuel at 7:1 four star and acetone (3 1/2 gallons of 4star to 1/2 gal of acetone) and it worked a treat. Much cheaper than 100LL avgas. Acetone is sometimes sold as gunwash thinners. I would gradually use the mixed stuff over a few tankfulls. I doubt you will notice any difference in running

My son is currently running his Ho*da 90 on 33/1 2 stroke mix, surplus after the sale of his Bantam. Not even needed a plug change yet.

Best thing to do with the pet/thin mix as suggested is to use it for cleaning parts.I wouldn't put it in a Norton.

Xylene is also known as dimethylbenzene and was a compenent of petrol in the 1990s and before. It might still be, but only a current petrochemical expert could be sure what they formulate today. They might remove it because it is more valuable to sell elsewhere. It is chemically similar to benzene but has lower health issues regarding cancer; it was widely used in paints, inks, etc.. The petrol 'manufacture process' produces a mix of hydrocarbons, but nowadays they take care to remove the benzene. I would be pretty sure that even pure xylene will run in an old-style combustion engine, but it is missing the various additives that are in pump fuel. If it was me, I would just dilute that 50% mix by another 50% and use it, but you make your own decision.

...... and having done that, do let us know if it boosts the performance....