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Ethanol

DAMN maintenance and repair thread; including Farkle Fests! :boohoo:
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Rut Row
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Ethanol

Post by Rut Row »

The P3 sidecar has 4 Mikuni VM26SS carbs on it. Bucho and I were told to avoid using any fuel with ethanol. In fact, I drained the tank in Canada and refilled with local ethanol-free gas.

I was hunting for ethanol-free gas around here and there isn't any!

However, on further research, it appears that my fears may be over-blown. I was reading that on these VM carbs, all I need to do is replace the float valve needle and seat. The carb gasket is paper and okay.

The fuel pump is a modern pump so it should be okay. Same for the pressure regulator. I've got ethanol resistant fuel lines (have a few still to replace).

So, the big question becomes should I run some Sta-bil just to be safe?

ANy carb wizards/ethanol experts out there?
Ken
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Taylor
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Taylor »

Yes, put it in or buy race gas. I have a buddy who has a repair shop and he told me to put Sta-Bil or Star-tron in anything that will sit for a week before used again.VP Racing Fuels make a fuel that is not race gas but is better than what you can buy at the pump. Cheap insurance unless you like working on carbs.
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Longboardr
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Longboardr »

No need to worry about ethanol if any of these places are close to you

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=MD

All of my toys get fed ethanol free gas from a local station :thumbup:
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Re: Ethanol

Post by BillyGoat »

I've checked the "Pure Gas" websites. The data is old. Most are on the eastern shore anyways. Usually boat dock gas stations have it.
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Rut Row
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Rut Row »

Eastern shore ain't close - the local airport doesn't sell ethanol-free mogas either :wallbash:
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Wingfixer
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Wingfixer »

100LL Brudder! The bike will thank you!
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Rut Row
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Rut Row »

Wingfixer wrote:100LL Brudder! The bike will thank you!
$5.67/gal :screwy:

Fuel Information (as of 05/31/2012 12:06)
Serving Shell fuel
24hr Self Service is available
Jet-A
Full Service: $6.09/Gal
100LL
Self Service: $5.72/Gal
Full Service: $6.47/Gal
Jet-A-Prist
Full Service: $6.14/Gal
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bonehead
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Re: Ethanol

Post by bonehead »

What about Hagerstown by the track or 75-80 area maybe cam2?
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Re: Ethanol

Post by Bork »

I've been using av gas in all my stuff except cars. Lawn mowers & weed eaters start so much easier, & its supposed to last two years. I pickle stuff with it now for the winter.
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Re: Ethanol

Post by motojunky »

Kyler wrote:
Wingfixer wrote:100LL Brudder! The bike will thank you!
$5.67/gal :screwy:
Cheap compared to any of the VP, Cam 2/Sunoco, etc. offerings. My Scorpa can't have ethanol - it destroys the tank. I've been round and round looking at all of the options for a couple of years now. I'm currently buying VP C9 (unleaded, 96 octane) at $12/gallon. It hurts, but it's a hassle for me to get 100LL and there are no other ethanol-free options anywhere around. I'm surrounded by marinas and not a one of them has anything ethanol free. Fortunately, 5 gallons lasts me ~ 2 months in the trials bike so the cost isn't significant relative to keeping fuel in a regular dirt bike or a road-race bike.

I never tuned the bike for the 100LL and as a result, it never quite ran right. Not bad, but just not as good as with VP SEF94 or C9. Lots of trials guys use it successfully. I used it all winter (10 gallons worth) with no problems.

Be wary of the stations listed as ethanol free on the web sites... I bought from one on the list and tested the fuel. It contained ethanol.
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