green fuel in carb

[chaz]

while the head is off Ive been moving the carb. been trying to run it on unleaded with  valve  master now Ive noticed as  is the fuel has been leaking out there is a green  tinge on the body and on the  slide. as Im not running the bike on the road yet does anyone know if it will lacquer up or block jets? maybe a reaction with ethanol??

[bsa-bill]

Hi Chaz -I use valve master plus ,have done for a decade or more never had any problems

[muskrat]

Could it be moss? Gotta keep it rolling.
Cheers

[chaz]

Muskie, could be ... its only moved from one end of the  yard to the other in the last 5 years.

seriously though, has anyone else had a problem? maybe because the fuel and valve master mix has been in the tank for months not being used, its seperating??

[bikerbob]

Hi there my A65 has been off the road now over the winter for at least 4 months with petrol and valvemaster standing in the tank. I took it out  for a short run before this last lot of snow about a week ago no problems starting or running.

[bsa-bill]

I'd drain it off and put a fresh lot of fuel in there, then start it and run it if possible.
These days I'd suspect the fuel before the valvemaster

In days of yore it was a belief in young minds that squirting Redex into the carb mouth with the engine running until billows of white smoke engulfed the entire neighbourhood was good for engine and carb - sorry Greenpeace

[Sparky]

I've recently been refurbishing a pair of SU carbs that had sat around neglected for several years.  The fuel was long gone, but a green residue remained that I attributed to the oxidation evident on the brass parts (most notably the brass floats, but also the main needle jet and fuel intakes).  Don't know if you have many brass pieces on your carb, but I just thought I'd toss that into the discussion...

[chaz]

sparky, probably no more brass than in a japanese carb or any other SU or Amal Ive had.

Bill...red ex, ah those were the days a gallon and a shot of red ex for around 75p , then chase off down the road trailing smoke. modern ethanol has no shelf life just wondering if there is a chemical reaction. a friend has a microlite and while laid up he had a green fungus growing in his fuel line.

[morris]

he had a green fungus growing in his fuel line.

Have you tried to smoke it? Might have been an interesting experience

I have a leaky carb for the moment, can't get it tight, in spite of changing gaskets and all, so I'm awaiting the delivery of a new one (it isn't the correct carb thats on it anyway)
If it stands for a couple of days, it also shows a greenish deposit where the drops have fallen, so it has to be the fuel.
I think that fuel company's are adding a green colourant to the fuel which stays behind as a green residue after the fuel has evaporated.
I remember in my youth, petrol was pale red.

[Gerry]

Hmmm, Takes me back to the 50's in the RAF where 130 octane aero fuel was dyed green so any green stains on your carb' and found by the authorities could get you into serious trouble! Someone I used to know (can't remember who ;-) ) used to run his 38 Ford 8 on it, problem was it used more oil than juice. Wish I could get some now.

[A10 JWO]

I too have this green slim of petrol on a very slight leak or where I tickled the bike. Will this stuff block the fixed very small drillings in the primary circuit. I only ask as my tick over is not as good as before. Mind you it has only done 5 miles since rebuild. The maiden flight will be Sunday ( Father's Day ) Hopefully that will sort it out.

Regards Colin

[Gerry]

Hi all, I also have two leaking taps even though I fitted new corks....problem is the leak went onto the head and is dissolving the powder coating!! Does this mean I have a cheap powder coat or does fuel do this or maybe ethanol?? Gerry