ethlanol in petrol

[chaz]

for those unaware the petrol companies are adding 15% ethanol to pump fuel as its a bio fuel and have convinced the government they are being green, so a big pat on the back. as someone who works on bkes daily, its come to my notice that ethanol is causing problems.
rotting fibreglass tanks, eating rubber fuel lines and seals, cork gaskets, next to me is a classic car owner who knows of brass and copper fittings being eroded away. /it is known to attract and hold water/moisture so will rust the inside of un protected tanks and also disolve tank sealers and liners which overnight can gum up valves in their guides.
its common knowledge on triumph, bsa and ducati forums amongst others.
if you have found excessive rust or dirt in your fuel tanks it may pay to ask your local MP what they know and can they ask questions as it will also affect cars and in the long run need more tanks, rubber replacements at our cost and the environment

[benny hedges]

dont go to brazil then - they have been on pure ethanol for years after their capital used to be the smog blackspot of the world - you couldn't go out without a mask on for more than 20 mins at one time, now it's got probably the best air quality of any modern city./

ethanol has been around for ages, it's not a new thing...apparently tescos have been using 5 & 10% since 2005.
look at it this way... we are slowly being weaned onto top fuel

btw unless you leave your vehicle stored for long periods you wont get rust problems... and it doesnt create gunk, it disolves it. the crap is deposits from the petrol that has been loosened by the ethanol.
the myth that it disolves rubber seals might be true for old vintage vehicles but not the stuff you'll find in modern engines.
get yourself some 11.5 pistons & a +4 advancer and get campaigning for 50% ethanol

[chaz]

sorry Benny, but dont work on what youve been told.
Im fixing bikes that are gummed up, have rusting tanks, failing seals and uneven running.
not to mention fibreglass tanks that were ok 3 months ago but now resemble sieves. when a remanufacturer WONT pay to make border line tanks and people like powerbronze and skidmark know of the problem but dont want to develop anything yet
cant be a top fuel when you get deposits blocking the jets , we had a katana in a few weeks ago hadnt run for 5 years , charged the battery cleaned the plugs and it started, while give another 2 months the bikes that are just being laid up for winter will be in because they wont start..

[benny hedges]

yeh chadz thats what im saying, when bikes are stored, thats when you get problems cos it cleans away deposits that have been there for years.
and the deposits and gunk are from the petrol.
petrol doesnt shift petrol deposits but ethanol does.
if you have a placcy tank, use 95ron as it hs a much lower ethanol content.

nothing you can do about this - theyre using it everywhere, go italy or spain & the fuel smells totally different to ours - smells ike thinners.