Stale fuel

MattR

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I haven’t put any fuel additives in either of my bikes. I always intended to ride the S10 through the winter but I got the “Rona” in July and haven’t ridden since. So is it likely that fuel lines etc will gum up? Do I need to fire them up for a while each week to just move the fuel around? Or will it be ok for a few months?


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Sierra1

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"I" wouldn't trust it. Whenever I think that I even might not be riding. . . . I put STA-BIL in the tank when I fill up. That way, by the time I get home, it's in the entire system. And, if ends up that there's no down time, nothing lost.
 

Abercrombie tenere

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If the fuel is contaminated with ethanol I would remove it from the bike and dispose of it in my pickup where it is diluted with plenty of fresh gas. Ethanol is known to have a shorter life than straight gas. Then I would refill the tank with fresh fuel laced with a healthy dose of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner or Seafoam gas additive and you should be good to go. Many claim that you shouldn't start you bike periodically during storage unless you can ride them and get them up to full operating temperature to remove the chance of moisture build up inside the engine.

Where I live my bikes, lawn mowers, weed whackers, or anything else that runs on gas regularly sit from the middle of October to mid April. I always insure that my last few fills are ethanol free gas with a good dose of Seafoam before putting them away for the winter and have had great luck. Seafoam claims to keep gas fresh for up to two years. I also run a motorcycle school where the 16 bikes are in storage 7 months out of the year. Since they are all carbureted and after I've insured I have Seafoam treated gas through the fuel system, I always drain the float bowl before storage.

Your going to get a lot of answers on this question but this works for my personal 8 bikes and 16 training bikes at the school.
 

Sierra1

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For my two stroke weed trimmer, and chain saw, I use the premixed Tru Fuel. For my Honda powered riding mower, premium fuel with STA-BIL. Starts on first crank/pull everytime.
 

scott123007

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You are where the temperature is generally on the cooler side. Heat is what breaks down fuel, especially ethanol laced fuel. At this point, adding a fuel stabilizer is not recommended because it supposedly only works for fresh fuel. There should be no issue with your fuel, even after 6 to 9 months IF, the temperature has been on the cooler side, and been somewhat stable.

Do the smell test...
If it still smells like gasoline, it is fine.
It is better to let them sit, until you are ready to ride them, than to run them periodically.
 

MattR

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You are where the temperature is generally on the cooler side. Heat is what breaks down fuel, especially ethanol laced fuel. At this point, adding a fuel stabilizer is not recommended because it supposedly only works for fresh fuel. There should be no issue with your fuel, even after 6 to 9 months IF, the temperature has been on the cooler side, and been somewhat stable.

Do the smell test...
If it still smells like gasoline, it is fine.
It is better to let them sit, until you are ready to ride them, than to run them periodically.
My bikes are in a garage that is integral to the house so it never gets that cold in there. But you still need a coat in there so I guess it stays at around 5 or 6c.


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Cycledude

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Here in Wisconsin premium gasoline is supposed to be ethanol free so no need for fuel stabilizer, maybe its different where you live ?
 

MattR

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I think it’s 5% ethanol here in the UK. But when we go into Europe I think they can run at 10%. Never noticed any difference in running though


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StefanOnHisS10

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I think it’s 5% ethanol here in the UK. But when we go into Europe I think they can run at 10%. Never noticed any difference in running though


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I have and that crap fuel has cost me a lot of money. Both on mileage and parts :mad:.
 

Superraid

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Strange, never had any issues with any of my bikes, one only comes out once or twice a year and never a problem, agree with the earlier post about the smell test but your in the UK, as long as you don't use supermarket fuel all should be good.
 

Sierra1

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Here in Wisconsin premium gasoline is supposed to be ethanol free so no need for fuel stabilizer, maybe its different where you live ?
I've heard that too, but I've also heard that it's not true. I put premium in my Jeep only because it sits for so long. Octane drops over time, so I figure by the time I drive it, it will be down to the regular grade that it calls for.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Strange, never had any issues with any of my bikes, one only comes out once or twice a year and never a problem, agree with the earlier post about the smell test but your in the UK, as long as you don't use supermarket fuel all should be good.
Lots of bad rumours about supermarket fuel but no substance to any of them. ESSO and other big brand names supply fuel to supermarkets and so do many of the main suppliers. All fuel in U.K. has to meet minimum standards, the only difference are some fuel add top secret additives to their “premium” fuels that are supposed to make your vehicle more efficient and cleaner but these claims are very difficult to substantiate by the public. Personally, I have used diesel and petrol from supermarkets and main-stream suppliers with no difference in mpg or performance. You pays your money and takes your choice.
 
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MattR

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I’ve never had a problem with stale fuel but I’ve never laid my bikes up for so long before


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PhilPhilippines

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A large number of Filipinos work overseas and come back to stale fuel. From my limited understanding ethanol is hygroscopic but there is a bit of a myth surrounding the additive. This is Mercury Marine's finding: "There is no active transfer mechanism for ethanol molecules to reach out and grab water molecules out of the air. Under normal storage conditions, even in a vented fuel tank it just does not happen...The primary cause of water collecting in fuel tanks is condensation from humid air..." The Philippines is in the tropics, so I use a product called Blaze 100, which was primarily at the pump due to, er-hum, lobbying by vintage car owners. Apparently it is ethanol free, does not cause corrosion issues. Ethanol fuel users often come back to problems after an extended period away.

Fuel that freezes would cause issues, also.
 

MIKE R

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Lancashire, UK
Personally I wouldn't worry about the fuel in the UK

Some secondhand bikes remain on the dealers showroom floor for months and months without being started. When they get an interested party the bikes tend to start immediately if they've kept the battery charged.

As for petrol treatments..............Having have a bad misfire on tour a couple of years ago caused by a dirty petrol filter/dirty injectors, on the recommendation of my mechanic I treat the old girl to this

5555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555...PNG

every second service (as well as having the fuel filter cleaned).

No problem since in 20k miles

Mike
 
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