f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« on: July 22, 2010, 08:42:22 PM » |
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Ok...so...uhmmm...on the way home from InZane I suddenly found my fuel mileage drop off significantly (32mpg down to 22.5mpg) while traveling through Madison, WI. As I traveled on into Iowa I did see one tank average 29mpg and then drop off again.
During one fuel stop in Iowa I noticed a little sticker on the pump that said this nozzle was actually ethanol. I had noticed that sticker on previous stops, but hadn't payed attention. So, I figure that I ran at least one, and maybe two tanks of ethanol through my Valk.
By the time I got to Blackwell, OK I had a rough idle and no top end power. One fuel stop registered 15mpg! (Hitting reserve at 60 miles is a little unnerving while traveling across the country!) I treated with Techron and let it sit overnight.
For my last leg home yesterday I averaged around 23mpg. Idle was smooth and top end power was OK. I have run some more Techron into the carbs today and will let it sit for at least a day.
Anyway, my mind sees some gelatinous substance floating around in my fuel system that just needs to be desolved by a good solvent, but I am worried that the ethanol could have damaged O-rings to the point of flaking off and clogging the jets.
Any thoughts on this? My Valk was manufactured in May of '97 and is still under 30,000mi. She was crated for a while before the previous owner bought her.
Can thirteen year old fuel lines handle ethanol? Can replacement OEM fuel lines and O-rings handle ethanol?
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  Had my blinker on across three states! |
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2010, 08:54:25 PM » |
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I doubt it was the E10 ethanol, I run it frequently here in Kansas, and as you found out, almost all fuel in Wisconsin is 10%. I went across Wisconsin twice at Inzane, it was less than 5% lower milage consistently. If one was to use the E85 by mistake, which is for flex fuel equipped vehicles, it would be a major problem. Hoser ???
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2010, 03:39:53 AM » |
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Anywhere you go in Wisconsin is uphill and once you roll into Iowa you can start going downhill again.. Actually you probably got some bad fuel or that 15% ethanol crap.
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2010, 05:07:18 AM » |
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Check you petcock diaphram for cracks, make sure it holds vacuum.
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 Troy, MI |
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2010, 05:50:45 AM » |
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Being that it is down hill most of the way back to Texas I figured I should have gotten better fuel mileage on the way home than on the way up to Michigan.
If E85 = Major Problem then what is that major problem?
I do have a Cover Set in hand that I took along on the trip and was planning on replacing fuel & vacuum lines this winter. I guess the main question is do I need to get into the carbs and do some cleaning, too? For now I'll wait and see...
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Had my blinker on across three states!
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Farther
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« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2010, 08:18:46 AM » |
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The bike would probably not run at all on E85. I have been running E10 in all my vehicles since it was first available in the Dakotas in the late 70's early 80's with out any problems.
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Thanks,
~Farther
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JimC
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2010, 08:30:53 AM » |
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Fstop
I doubt it was the Wisconsin gas, as much as I do not like it for political reasons. I have no choice but to run with it, and I have never had my mileage drop like that. I consistently get over 30mpg, usually 32-33mpg.
I would start looking for another issue, sorry but I have no idea where to start.
good luck,
Jim
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2010, 08:33:24 AM » |
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Check you petcock diaphram for cracks, make sure it holds vacuum.
What he said.  |
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CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2010, 03:47:07 PM » |
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"If E85 = Major Problem then what is that major problem?"
The afore mentioned fuel lines, orings etc. would be a major problem, as well as all the gaskets etc. of the carbs. Flex fuel vehicles are all fuel injected, and mileage is affected much more than with e10. Hoser
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2010, 04:36:15 PM » |
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"If E85 = Major Problem then what is that major problem?"
The afore mentioned fuel lines, orings etc. would be a major problem, as well as all the gaskets etc. of the carbs. Flex fuel vehicles are all fuel injected, and mileage is affected much more than with e10. Hoser
The big issue with E85 is that it contains less energy than E10 or E0. Flex fuel vehicles have an ethanol sensor or a virtual sensor that measures/calculates the ethanol content and adjusts the injector pulse width to achieve the proper air/fuel ratio. With a carb, you would be running very lean if it runs at all. |
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Troy, MI |
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2010, 06:37:37 PM » |
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Thanks for the insights. I'll be checking the diaphram in the am. Probably go ahead and replace as a preventative measure even if it checks out OK. Then I won't have to worry about that one thing...
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Had my blinker on across three states!
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2010, 07:20:30 PM » |
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Sure enough, no vacuum...new cover set installed, good vacuum!
Surprised that she could run at all. The old diaphram components were kind of scrunched up. Will be riding this next week to check things out and crossing my fingers that this is the fix.
Once again, thanks!
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Had my blinker on across three states!
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