Tanks and expansion

Message

paddyz1 · #1 Post by **paddyz1** » Mon May 21, 2012 11:50 am

Just a thought.
As this ethanol stuff is making our tanks expand, something that occured to me that may not have been mentioned is that the tanks will be getting thinner. Or a least weaker.

Thoughts[

Chabby · #2 Post by **Chabby** » Mon May 21, 2012 4:24 pm

Would it have to expand to twice the size to be half the thickness? - A 42ltr tank would make for good touring range

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 21, 2012 4:27 pm

Don't think it works like that. I think the ethanol attacks it and probably combines with some of the chemicals in the plastic to make it swell. It probably compromises the structure - maybe dissolves it too.
There again I'm no chemist so I'm guessing a bit.

wayofthedarkhand · #4 Post by **wayofthedarkhand** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:05 pm

What makes you guys think that the tank is coated with a substance that prevents the ethanol from causing long term damage?

After all the ethanol was used in fuels before the Falco was developed.

Aladinsaneuk · #5 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:44 pm

so far tanks have not failed per se

they have grown, so they are buggers to fit once removed.... take them off, drain and leave for six months and they return to normal size

the tanks do have an inner coating - you can see it when you take the fuel pump off - i would not recommend doing that unless you need too btw

some have reported failing fuel lines and connectors

this applies to all of the rotax engined aprilias of the same era as the falco btw

(ignore the known futura connector problem - different issue!)

wayofthedarkhand · #6 Post by **wayofthedarkhand** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:48 pm

Removed my tank and popped it back on a few weeks ago without issue, and my bike sits there all week with fuel in. I did try ethanol free fuel, but didn't notice any difference. Could it be a specific brand?

Aladinsaneuk · #7 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:27 pm

do you run unleaded or fourstar?

what brand?

there are some companies that have a better record than others - and declare the content.... and what did the previous owner use?

there are a lot of variables - and no definitives

for what it is worth, i use full fat four star from the old garage in poringland - spendy but.....

wayofthedarkhand · #8 Post by **wayofthedarkhand** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:30 pm

Just unleaded from Sainsbury, shell, morrisons, murco.

I don't really like Tesco for some reason.

Murco super doesn't have any ethanol in it, but I never noticed any difference when running it.

MartDude · #9 Post by **MartDude** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:42 pm

Could with a thread/sticky on ethanol-free brands. I read recently on a thread somewhere - can't remember which forum - that Total is also ethanol-free

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:49 pm

Mine has expanded without any shadow of doubt.

Usually treated to Asda, Tesco or Morrisons fuel.

I did look into the brands thing but decided it would be a nightmare to keep a thread up to date as the various companies change what they supply.

Viking · #11 Post by **Viking** » Tue May 22, 2012 11:14 pm

It's also possible that the ingredients in one batch of petrol will be different to what's in the next batch.

Aladinsaneuk · #12 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed May 23, 2012 4:47 am

yes, but no viking

after the tesco fuel fiasco, the suppliers tend to be very specific about their fuel

Viking · #13 Post by **Viking** » Wed May 23, 2012 11:23 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:yes, but no viking
after the tesco fuel fiasco, the suppliers tend to be very specific about their fuel

You're in the UK. Things down here in Oz are a wee bit different.

Aladinsaneuk · #14 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu May 24, 2012 4:58 am

Super koala or regular?