Ethanol

[D-Rider]

Tesco supplies its forecourts with Super Unleaded 99 Octane (Research Octane Number). The fuel is a blend of 5% bio-ethanol, and has been available since mid-November 2005, at selected filling stations across the UK. This Fuel is supplied to Tesco by Greenergy.

Momentum:
http://www.tesco.com/Momentum99/product ... -specs.asp

.... if you buy your fuel elsewhere ....

[D-Rider]

I'm assuming that your tanks are made of some kind of plastic? But what about metal tanks - if water seperates out from the fuel I can foresee a problem with the inside of the tank rotting?

This is what is bothering most of the classic bike groups

[D-Rider]

From AFI - together with my reply.

We need to find out what the Ducati chaps have tone to get this sorted

Has anybody having problems with thier composite tanks using E10 fuel, The reason I ask is because Ducati has a recall on thier composite tanks right now.

Interesting to hear that Ducati has a recall on their tanks.
I wonder how the owners have managed to get that done?

I bet almost no Aprilia owners have even complained about it - Duc riders probably return their bikes to the dealers for every little niggle but we tend to sort all our stuff out for ourselves so never think of complaining to anyone. If we did blame anyone it would probably be the fuel companies that have started putting this terrible stuff in the fuel or the politicians that encourage them to.

However, as this is a real problem and Ducati riders seem to have got some action from Ducati, what do we have to do to get Aprilia to sort it out for us?
I'm guessing we need to mobilise the forum members from around the world with a concerted campaign of complaint - but if you've any details of how the Ducati chaps went about it, this may help us.

BTW how far back does this recall go? All our Falcos are well out of warranty so it'd be very interesting to discover whether the Ducati recall goes beyond bikes still under warranty.

[back_marker]

I have heard that people have had tanks changed on their RSV4s under warranty however this only replaces them with the same standard item so there is no recall as such.

Whilst I am all for asking the question of Aprilia, I fear that you are not going to get very far with a bike where most examples are over 10 years old. You may have more luck with the manufacturers of the tanks themselves (Acerbis) since this seems to be the common link in cases of Aprilia and KTM bikes that are having expansion/distortion problems - not sure about Ducati but I wouldn't be surprised if their tanks are made by the same company.

[D-Rider]

Found this website that lists various others with the problem - I've contacted them:
http://deformedfueltanks.com/

[Gio]

Just out of curiosity can the ethanol be removed?

Aha I found out a way, but some would think this quite drastic!

In the USA people mix water with the fuel, this removes the ethanol and as the fuel is lighter than water it can be syphoned off, bit of a palaver I guess, but it works.

take a look at this article might have some significance whern we consider locations http://fuelschool.blogspot.co.uk/2009/0 ... ended.html

[D-Rider]

Keep up Gio - we posted that in another thread on the subject.
Anyway, it might work but is probably a bit of a palaver on the forecourt ..............

[Gio]

Keep up Gio - we posted that in another thread on the subject.
Anyway, it might work but is probably a bit of a palaver on the forecourt ..............

Fit gerrycans then you can take enough for your ride

So why start another on the same subject?

[MartDude]

"The EU is putting a cap of 5% on the food-based biofuel allowed in the renewable energy used in transport."

This looks like a step in the right direction, but the article doesn't say when the cap will be implemented.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19982214

[D-Rider]

5% is where we are now - and that is causing us bad enough problems. At least it won't increase now but it's a long way from addressing the issue.

[mangocrazy]

As an aside, I've been investigating fuel lines that are Ethanol-resistant, as I need to replace the fuel lines on my 33-year old Lancia Beta, as well as the lines on my 25-year old VFR750. This is the stuff I intend to use:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?broch ... on_id=5348

Not only is it proof against all present and known future fuel blends, but it has ultra-low permeation, meaning less of your expensive fuel vaporises away. It's apparently available at most Motor Factors. I'll be checking some out in the near future...

[Kwackerz]

That sounds good stuff. Three types of hose available, submersible, Fi and Carb hose. Be interesting to see how they do perform Bet it won't be cheap though, but probably worth the investment!

[D-Rider]

As an aside, I've been investigating fuel lines that are Ethanol-resistant, as I need to replace the fuel lines on my 33-year old Lancia Beta, as well as the lines on my 25-year old VFR750. This is the stuff I intend to use:

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?broch ... on_id=5348

Not only is it proof against all present and known future fuel blends, but it has ultra-low permeation, meaning less of your expensive fuel vaporises away. It's apparently available at most Motor Factors. I'll be checking some out in the near future...

Nice find ...... do you get double stamps with it?

[fatboy]

D-Rider, do you still insist on 5 star when you fill the bike up and 3 star for the car ?

[randomsquid]

He's still on coal.