Author Topic: Ethanol petrol storage.  (Read 616 times)

Offline a101960

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Ethanol petrol storage.
« on: 11.03. 2015 10:57 »
Yesterday as related in an earlier post about my non functiong horn, I went for a short ride. This is the first time that I have ridden my bike since last October. Now, as you all know the general concencus is that modern petrol does not store very well. The petrol in my tank has been in there since October (Tesco 99 octane), and amazingley it started second kick. I must say I was not expecting that,  I was fully expecting to have to drain the tank a fill it with fresh petrol. Maybe the higher octane petrol is ethanol free, does anyone know if that is the case?
John

Offline jachenbach

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Re: Ethanol petrol storage.
« Reply #1 on: 11.03. 2015 12:26 »
Here in the USA, gas pumps say "May contain up to 10% ethanol". When I've tested the highest octane from the station we get it at work, it's been non-ethanol every time. I parked all 3 of my riders in October without treating the fuel (Guzzi Stone Touring, Lemans, and Yamaha SR500). All started and ran well on their first ride last week. Normally I fill the tanks and treat the fuel with stabilizer, but for reasons I don't recall (lazy?) I didn't this year. My wood splitter, generator and snow blower sit idle for months at a time and never fail to start. Newer BMWs, on the other hand, don't do so well. My guess is that is due to the more modern fuel efficient injectors (much smaller orifices for better atomization).
  Don't know about other countries, but the US decided a couple years ago that they could stretch the gas supply by changing the standards, so they increased the temperature at which components must volatilize. I believe that is more of a problem than the ethanol. The crap I've seen in intake tracts and injectors is pretty awful, though a regular dose of fuel system cleaner seems to help. The main problem I've see with ethanol is rotting rubber (fuel lines on stationary engines).

Offline Topdad

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Re: Ethanol petrol storage.
« Reply #2 on: 11.03. 2015 16:02 »
John, I have this joy to come. I last filled with tesco juice so will be interesting to compare starting etc . One thing I can comment on is the taps I fitted from Paul Goff no leaks unlike previous years hence still a fair amount of the stuff still onboard, previous years it's disappeared .  So as long has they turn on and off I'll be a happy bunny, regards Bob.
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