Going from ethanol to reg gas

[Fla. Jim]

Is there any chance that going back to reg gas could cause leaks in gaskets after running ethanol for many years? Just had to order a new gas cap and petcock. It's probably just a coincidence I was able to start useing reg gas again a month ago

[Pete]

Maybe?

Based on what I have observed during doing repairs, there has definitely been an increase in the number of failures of the soft tip on the carb float valve. In every  case they got hard like concrete and failed to seal. Replacement was the only alternative.

Not being a chemist I am not sure what in the fuel is causing this. But I can say it began 5+ years ago is getting worse.

[Hook#3287]

Could that be adding to the "Hyperlock" issue?

[Ricky-D]

The industry says ethanol enriched gasoline should not be used in old cars because of possible damage to system components from the ethanol content.

The Valkyrie fall in this "old" group.

So I say change as quick as you can to non-ethanol gasoline to avoid possible damage.

***

[98valk]

owners manual recommends no more than 10% ethanol. this has been in owners manuals for decades and all vehicles are designed for up to 10% unless the vehicle is specifically designed for higher and it would be stated as such.
the problem is and has been documented that some gas stations are in the 15-20% range esp when  ethanol is cheaper per gallon than gasoline. its cheaper due to federal substanies aka our tax dollars. this might not still be true but was the last time I looked it up. these stations are breaking laws and some have been caught. sometimes it happens due to some phase seperation and the ethanol is at a different level in the tank and then a vehicle gets a high % which is no fault of the station.

[salty1]

I would guess going back to regular gas vs ethanol enriched gas would not be a problem. I try and use ethanol free gas as much as possible just to avoid carb issues. 

[dave011182]

As a mechanic I can say that ethanol has affected many things, especially with carbs. I personally hardy ever had to make any adjustments to the carbs on anything I own, now anything I own with a small engine requires adjustments at least once a year. My string trimmer was about 6 years old when the 10% ethanol gas came out and every since it has needed adjustments anually (overhaul every other year) the first 6 years required only start and use.

If you can find gas without ethanol I recomend using it, not available in my area.

[salty1]

Hey Dave... Would you recommend using a fuel stabilizer like Seafoam? I have been using it and also started using premium in all my small machinery (ie string trimmer). Seems to reduce problems from year to year.

[PhredValk]

I think all you will notice is improved mileage and more power. I seldom use a pump that says 'May contain up to 10% ethanol' if I can avoid it.
Fred.

[dave011182]

Hey Dave... Would you recommend using a fuel stabilizer like Seafoam? I have been using it and also started using premium in all my small machinery (ie string trimmer). Seems to reduce problems from year to year.

It could help, allot of stabilizers had to be changed after gas started having ethanol in it to help with moisture problems and the ethanol separating. Premium gas means premium price if you don't need it, especially in cars I have seen degraded mileage and performance running it when not called for. The additives in premium actually cause it to burn slower which is why if a vehicle has a pinging problem running premium can help.
Ethanol has caused decreased economy especially in fuel injected vehicle due to it burning cleaner and the exhaust sensors see this as a lean condition and cause the computer to add more fuel, while producing slightly less power. The power difference usually isn't noticed though.

[dubsider]

i use non-ethanol gas whenever possible .. even still I use
http://www.phaser3000.com/
because you never know what is really in the tank.
My Honda shop recommended the additive.

[salty1]

What gas brands are you finding that are ethanol free and what part of the US?

[dubsider]

What gas brands are you finding that are ethanol free and what part of the US?

http://pure-gas.org/

[Sodbuster]

What gas brands are you finding that are ethanol free and what part of the US?

In my neck of the woods ethanol free (aka non-oxygenated) is quite common. Most BP stations now have it along with Shell stations. I've noticed that one of the local Holiday stations carry it too but they use the "one-hose" pumps which I don't care for. BP & Shell use dedicated hoses for the non-ox stuff.

I live in central Minnesota

Can't comment on the original post

[rmrc51]

FWIW,,, I've started using StarTon as per the advice of my trusted mechanic regarding the Ethanol issue. Supposedly it's one of the best fuel treatments to deal with this ethanol crap.

[alph]

i don't think that it was the "switch" back to non-ethanol fuel that caused your problem, i think it was the ethanol that caused it!!  going back to "regular" fuel will cause you to save more gas, increasing your milage.  when i use ethanol i'll get 29 to 30 mpg, with regular non-ethanol i'll get 32 to 33 mpg.  with a 6 gallon tank you're talking about 18 miles, that's a half gallon, or about $1.75 per fill up......  well worth switching back to regular!! let alone preventing the hard rubber issues you'll encounter with ethanol.  (just my opinion, and expierence)

[Westsider]

I wish I could...

[cajundood]

what about the "ethanol" treatments that can be used if you're on the road and have no choice sometimes? do these remove the ethanol or just mask it? what do the treatments really do?

[Ricky-D]

I have no choice. Ethanol gas all the time.  Ethanol gas became the only gas here in 2008, and legally so in 2010.  I just put in a full tank of BP 89 today.  The bike continues to run great.  The 1980 CB900, 1998 F150 and the Valkyrie have been running just fine on it for a number of years.  34 mpg on the Valkyrie.

None of my car and bike nutty friends have ever mentioned any problems with today's gasoline.  You'll probably buy some when you come to Daytona this year.  Buy plenty, ride plenty, and have fun with us here in Florida.

Evidently you have not looked at the "pure gas" url provided earlier by salty1.

If you had, you would have discovered sources all around you, in Sanford, Orlando and many other places nearby.  For ethanol free gasoline, that is!

***

[Jess from VA]

what about the "ethanol" treatments that can be used if you're on the road and have no choice sometimes? do these remove the ethanol or just mask it? what do the treatments really do?

Star Tron  http://mystarbrite.com/startron//content/view/12/34/lang,en/
The main thing is to keep the ethanol from attracting water in the tank of a sitting bike.

When riding regularly, there's probably no need to treat your 10% ethanol gas. (which is all I can get)

But a good reason is Winter storage.  I ride all Winter, but less than Summer.  With two bikes which must be stored tight in a shed, I ride one for months at a time, then switch.  The one that will be sitting gets a full-to-top fillup, then doses of StarTron, Marine Stabil, and maybe a touch of Seafoam or Techron (shaken, not stirred) (and then run for a while to get it thru the system).  The bike being ridden gets nothing but gas. 

Besides this, during the riding season, I run a dose of Seafoam in each bike every few months, usually a strong dose in a quarter tank. 

This may be overkill, but I lack the skills to tear down my carbs, and I keep 12 carbs on two bikes running perfectly without issue with this method (for years and years).

[roadhamr]

Lucas makes a Ethanol Safeguard. one ounce treats 5 gallons of gas. it is very affordable and it widely recognized that Ethanol tends speed up the deterioration of gaskets, seals and hoses. a little bit of the treatment by Lucas should protect your bike against this.