ethanol in your fuel...(and the sky is falling)

darkside

darkside

GSX750S Rider
Staff member
Moderator
So you maybe aware the unlikley bed fellows in the QLD parliment of Katter & Labour (but of course the LNP thought of it first) have been kicking around the idea, of mandating a minimum amount of ethanol in petrol.

That is pass a law to say petrol must have ethanol in it...
discussion paper released here https://www.dews.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/274406/ethanol-discussion-paper.pdf

Now before we get in panic and march on canberra and line those bastards up and.. oh wait thats something else! :oops:

Seems were talking 2% in the total volume sold, so in theroy you can still get regular fuel but there will be more ethanol options.
But I think its the begining of the end, once in place the percentage is bound to increase over time, and just how will the fuel firms and retailers react. I think non ethanol pumps will get harder to find, and of course you will pay more..


So to run the KAT on ethanol, whats the issues?
Main one is Ethanol rots rubber and plastic thats not formulated for it.
Real issues Ive seen on old bikes and cars and E10
- if you havnt changed the oring in the carbs or your fuel lines for 30 years, perhaps you should anyway! (most new are ethanol compatible)
- is your float needle metal or rubber?
- some plastic floats

Some things I dont know but worry about
- CV Diaphrams
- intake boots
- the plastic floats in my KAT
- OEM Fuel tap, vacuum diapham and seals
-what else?


Any thoughts or E10 horror stories?
 
I've got nothing to add to help but I share your concerns, I've kept all E fuels away from the wee beastie to date for just that reason.

I do know however that even modern bikes have issues with ethanol going by what I've seen posted on other forums and one in particular that used to be run by a BMW mechanic.

These GS500 carbs have plastic slides too...
 
No E10 horror stories from me as i stay away from that fuel and do not even use it in my two stroke lawn mower. I run 95 on my Kats and my Hayabusa and use 98 when i do long runs.
Nick
 
..:eek:...As Nick has stated, I only run 95 in my bikes. I believe the higher 95/98 fuels will still be available and will be ethanol free (for now at least). Here's hoping. :D
 
I believe E10 used in my eruotrash 'prilia will swell the plastic tank to the point it's near impossible to refit after removing

Cheers
Max
 
http://www.fcai.com.au/environment/can-my-vehicle-operate-on-ethanol-blend-petrol
Seems just buying a new Suzuki wont fix it either!
the K being the only one of the big 4 producing some ethanol compatible bikes.

adding to the worry lst
- ethanol blend burns leaner need to rejet.
- ethanol makes your tank rust some liners may not cope (por15 is ok)

All well and good to say dont use it, but the day is coming you wil have to, and probably quicker than you think and beyond what the goverment thinks.
Fuel firms will be penalised if they dont sell their quota of the rubbish, profit is everything and ethanol will be subsidsed so it will be profitable.
They will manipulate your choice by making it hard to buy non-ethanol (ever gone to coles and couldnt buy your favourite brand beause its just not on the shelf?)

the sky is falling , the sky is falling , the sky is falling. I tell ya`s
 
darkside said:
http://www.fcai.com.au/environment/can-my-vehicle-operate-on-ethanol-blend-petrol
Seems just buying a new Suzuki wont fix it either!
the K being the only one of the big 4 producing some ethanol compatible bikes.

adding to the worry lst
- ethanol blend burns leaner need to rejet.
- ethanol makes your tank rust some liners may not cope (por15 is ok)

All well and good to say dont use it, but the day is coming you wil have to, and probably quicker than you think and beyond what the goverment thinks.
Fuel firms will be penalised if they dont sell their quota of the rubbish, profit is everything and ethanol will be subsidsed so it will be profitable.
They will manipulate your choice by making it hard to buy non-ethanol (ever gone to coles and couldnt buy your favourite brand beause its just not on the shelf?)

the sky is falling , the sky is falling , the sky is falling. I tell ya`s
Click to expand...
You may be correct Darkside as i filled up at my local today and the nice Indian people said, "Yes sir plenty of E10 fuel, we like to sell very good" AAAAAARRRGHHH!!!
 
I use 95 in the wee beastie also, but yeah I dare say the day is coming when they will start putting the dreaded E word in that too.

But John raises a good point, it is not only our old beasts that are incompatible with E fuels...
 
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