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The Ethanol dilemma
- Thread starter PeterK
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Hi fellas.
New guy making my first "official" post but check out my post on the new member intro forum for my story.
I inadvertantly did a long term fuel storage test with my TR250.
I filled it up in late August of 2007 in preparation for the end of the driving season (in Winnipeg, we don't often drive convertibles much past September). When I took it out in 2008, I started having brake problems. The problems got bad enough that I stopped driving early in the year. In fact, I wasn't even able to put in a fresh tank of gas in 2008.
This year, I fixed the problem but not until a few weeks ago. It was only last week that I finally put fresh gas in the car. So I was actually driving for a couple of weeks on TWO YEAR OLD GAS with no stabilizer added.
The truth is, the thing ran just fine. Of course, it's a relief to have new gas in the car. I knew if I didn't get it on the road this year, I'd have to drain the old gas for sure...but I doodged that bullet. Interesting to note that it ran great on the old gas. While it's not a practice that I would recommend, I get some peace of mind knowing that it can hold up well during extended storage (at least, in these parts with my engine).
New guy making my first "official" post but check out my post on the new member intro forum for my story.
I inadvertantly did a long term fuel storage test with my TR250.
I filled it up in late August of 2007 in preparation for the end of the driving season (in Winnipeg, we don't often drive convertibles much past September). When I took it out in 2008, I started having brake problems. The problems got bad enough that I stopped driving early in the year. In fact, I wasn't even able to put in a fresh tank of gas in 2008.
This year, I fixed the problem but not until a few weeks ago. It was only last week that I finally put fresh gas in the car. So I was actually driving for a couple of weeks on TWO YEAR OLD GAS with no stabilizer added.
The truth is, the thing ran just fine. Of course, it's a relief to have new gas in the car. I knew if I didn't get it on the road this year, I'd have to drain the old gas for sure...but I doodged that bullet. Interesting to note that it ran great on the old gas. While it's not a practice that I would recommend, I get some peace of mind knowing that it can hold up well during extended storage (at least, in these parts with my engine).
Don Elliott
Obi Wan
Offline
Since Winnipeg is not in the USA where all gasoline has 10% ethanol or more, I suspect that the gas you filled up with in 2007 had no ethanol in it. My problems only started in mid-2007 when I drove a round trip of 1500 miles to VTR in Valley Forge PA. Up to now, I have found that (in Quebec) I can still get ESSO and Shell without ethanol. But I had trouble in 2007 and 2008 in Ontario at Petro-Can, Ultramar and Sunoco. I stay away from those in Quebec.
CinneaghTR
Jedi Warrior
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PeterK said:
Yes, I would like to know where to get that valve, too.
Thanks in advance,
Jeremy
Earlier comment on phase seperation was right on. The ethanol absorbs the water and sinks to the bottom. Once the fuel seperates there is no way to re-mix it.
Ask me how I know; well I've been winterizing boats for 20 yrs & never a problem in the spring. Well last spring my boat's 130hp Johnson 2 stroke started right up, but would not stay running at idle. Short story I had fuel seperation that I found after syphoning some gas into a glass jar & letting it sit overnight I had a nice 1" layer of water on the bottom!
So 40 gallons of syphoning later a fuel water seperator & 2 fresh tanks of gas & she ran better.
So that winter I used STARTRON from any marine store; it prevents phase seperation. That spring & the boat started & ran perfectly.
As for the eating away of the rubber the only thing you can do is replace all the fuel lines, as far as seals in the carbs good luck!
Ask me how I know; well I've been winterizing boats for 20 yrs & never a problem in the spring. Well last spring my boat's 130hp Johnson 2 stroke started right up, but would not stay running at idle. Short story I had fuel seperation that I found after syphoning some gas into a glass jar & letting it sit overnight I had a nice 1" layer of water on the bottom!
So 40 gallons of syphoning later a fuel water seperator & 2 fresh tanks of gas & she ran better.
So that winter I used STARTRON from any marine store; it prevents phase seperation. That spring & the boat started & ran perfectly.
As for the eating away of the rubber the only thing you can do is replace all the fuel lines, as far as seals in the carbs good luck!
BobbyD
Jedi Knight
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pjsmetana said:
I hope I never find out! I wanted a quality valve seeing as a leak could end up hitting the muffler. If you want a cheaper valve they have a $12 one.... part #BK 715-1482
Now if you want expensive, here's a combo fuel filter with shut off from Aeromotive @ $230!
liljohnTR250
Senior Member
Offline
I have never had much of an issue with my TR250 with fuel setting in it for long periods of time.....I tend to just put enough in there to cruise around for a few hours and make sure there are a few gallons left to crank and drive to gas station on the next go round.....I do know that you have to put stabilizer in boats and that if you do not want to put ethanol in your car, just ride to a boat marina and the fuel they sell is ethanol free......but usually at least a dollar more a gallon....