Ethanol in fuel.

[EML]

Heres a link I found on the TwinShock Chairs site from the UK regarding the use of Ethanol blends and its effects on fuel systems and glass tanks etc....

http:/www.jawaczownersclub.co.uk/technical_advice13.htm

[Lozza]

Been using and testing ethanol blends for a number of years and unless you let your bike stand for long periods without draining the fuelout of the tank and the float bowl. There are no ill effects from using ethanol based fuels. Everyday drivers have no problems.

[Nathan S]

I agree with Lozza. Ethanol seems to be this thing that everyone loves to hate, without always understanding what theyre raging against.

That said, the set of carbon fibre Boyensen reeds* in my GG200 appear to have had the resin 'washed away' in places.
They're well rooted anyhow, but I'm wondering if ethanol might be the cause?

No pics until the new reeds turn up, sorry.

*for Lozza: it's got a Rad Valve - I didn't choose them.

[jimg1au]

CANT USE IT IN MY BOAT SO ITS NOT GOING IN MY BIKE OR MY CAR
e10 fuel is not to be used in boats or ultra lifgt aircraft
have enough troble with methenol eating glass and alloy dont need the extra labor with my petrol bikes as well
jim

http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/rec_boating/biofuels.html

[Lozza]

unless you let your bike stand for long periods without draining the fuel out of the tank and the float bowl.

Jim you reckon that might apply to a boat or aircraft?

[jimg1au]

yep
it absorbes water just like methenol and rots stuff just like methenol

[Montynut]

Another problem we old bike owners have is that E10 fuel is inconsistent. There can be anything from 0% - 10% ethanol (read the product fine print). Engine management systems handle that variation easy but carbies on '70 & '80s bikes don't handle it so well especially if you are trying to jet it . This variation also causes it to burn inconsistently which again is handled with ease by modern engine management systems not so well by carbies and old ignition systems.

Ethanol is becoming expensive and difficult to obtain in the quantities required. So the % ethanol does vary widely and often according to a mate who works in the industry operating and maintaining the blending equipment with a major supplier on the east coast.

The stuff rips old fibreglass to bits. I don't even run it in my mower.

[Lozza]

Exactly how would any variation in ethanol content affect jetting? Exactly who would a tank full of 5% ethanol burn differently to 10%? Water content in ethanol is about 5% so out of 1 litre of e10 you would have 5mls of water, a squirt of metho will break up and burn that no problems.

[Mike52]

Couple of things.
[1]  they make ethanol out of food. [ lots of food ,lucky no one's starving and the world has heaps to spare]

[2] Ethanol has less BTU's [ energy ] per unit than the fuel it replaces ,therefore you are paying for something you are not getting [ sorta like the new Mars Bars ].

[3] If you remove 10% of the energy of a litre of fuel and replace it with something that has less energy then you end up with a product that has LESS energy.

[oldyzman]

Well: all in agreement.. Ethanol is a way to water down good petrol. Bring back the lead!
Brett

[EML]

Jeez-I'm already glad I found that thread
Still, any debate is better than none.
The son of the chap we used to do our cylinder heads has gone in to on selling ethanol to drifters and speedway racers (cars) and they love the stuff.
Alot to do with how and when it's used perhaps and what you do with what's left in the tank at the end of the day I 'spose.

[huskibul]

   Good analogy mike bit like the potato chips you get these day's where the packets 75% air - good for profits   i would'nt use that ethanol shit to wash  parts in and i reckon the "good stuff" is going the same way ! profits at all expense - ours

[grouty]

The only way I can get the CCM, Husky and old KLX250 to run right is to use a mix of 97 octane super unleaded pump fuel with 20-25% of 114 octane leaded race fuel. Great if your not out and about on the trails. I put 5 litres of 97 in the Husky the other weekend when out, and it ran like a bag of crap.
Progress ....... I think it's regress 

[Montynut]

http://www.fcai.com.au/publications/all/all/all/3/can-my-vehicle-operate-on-ethanol-blend-petrol-

[Davey Crocket]

I remember when if you wanted to fark someones motor, you put sugar in it....I dont buy the ethanol crap....or Lozza's scientific reasoning....how many bikes do YOU actually ride and race Lozza?.....not all the shit you read on the "net" is true or real life.....a bit like on here sometimes.