Winter Storage: Ethanol-VS-Regular gas, with and without fuel Stabilizer

Boog

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I am troubleshooting a fuel problem on my Stratoliner and came across this video that has changed my mind to some extent about long term storage (over a month of not running) of my bikes. I think it has some useful information for those who do not ride all year as well.
Bottom line up front (BLUF) E85 with stabilizer is just as bad as it is without. Especially in fuel system not designed for E85. E10 is less harmful but will still degrade and become useless over storage periods.

(118) Does Fuel Stabilizer Prevent Ethanol Damage? Let's find out! - YouTube

@Jim has another thread along the same lines as this one and can be seen here: Fuel System Winterizing. | Yamaha XS650 Forum
 
One station in my area sold gas without ethanol for a few years. They stopped selling it in the Spring of 2020. A long time back Rex "Blue" Blanchard (bluebikerblan) recommended marine formula Stabil for use with 10% ethanol fuel; it's formulated to keep ethanol from tearing up 2-stroke boat motors. I've had good luck with it in 2-stroke power equipment and the bike as well, but the carbies get drained when the bike is going to sit for more than a couple of weeks, and the tank as well if a month or more is going to pass. With the EFI bike (now sold) I drained old gas, added fresh, and ran the motor till fresh fuel entered the system. Doing that every 3 or 4 weeks kept things going.

Not to hijack the thread, but has anybody heard from Blue lately?
 
Not to hijack the thread, but has anybody heard from Blue lately?
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He has been gone for a long time.
 
Do not ever put E85 in a motorcycle, boat, lawnmower, etc...only in autos that specify to use it. This is from the American Motorcyclist Association. They are still fighting the feds on this. At least the gov. will not sell it year round now.
 
any environmental benefit becomes questionable at best.
It's my belief that growing mass amounts of GMO corn is environmentally destructive. At the very least, it leads to precious topsoil finding its way down the Mississippi. I should do the right thing and vote with my wallet by using only E0. Alas, my pockets aren't deep enough for me to make the commitment except where I deem necessary. Here in Mississippi, it is possible for me to be 100% ethanol free. I've also cut way back on what passes my lips. I consider high fructose corn syrup completely off limits.
 
Discovered with my lawn equipment that E10 gas left in the carb for a period of time would draw water and engine would fail to start. Drain float bowl and what would come out first, Water. Then typically a fresh plug and it would start.
Installed fuel shut off valves in all my 4 cycle equipment and when done using shut off the gas and let it run till it starves. Even with E10 still in the tank this solved my issues with all my mowers and 4 cycle equipment.
As for the 2 cycle stuff, backpack blower, weed eater, chain saw, when I'm done I upend the thing and drain the gas back into the storage can, then restart and again let it run till it stops. Haven't had issues since I began these practices.
Saw a trick I've been meaning to try. Back in the day cars would frequently get gas line freeze in winter. The cure was to pour Heet or other product in the tank, which was basically Alcohol, which would bond with the water and lower the freezing temp.
The trick is to get a large receptacle with a drain valve in the bottom, pour in a couple gallons of ethanol laced gas, pour a cup of water in and shake vigorously then set it down and leave it.
The water will bond with the alcohol and settle to the bottom where you open the valve and drain it out leaving ethanol free gas in the can.
 
It's my belief that growing mass amounts of GMO corn is environmentally destructive. At the very least, it leads to precious topsoil finding its way down the Mississippi. I should do the right thing and vote with my wallet by using only E0. Alas, my pockets aren't deep enough for me to make the commitment except where I deem necessary. Here in Mississippi, it is possible for me to be 100% ethanol free. I've also cut way back on what passes my lips. I consider high fructose corn syrup completely off limits.
Being that I once was the VP of my HS Chapter of the FFA (Future Farmers of America), I can attest that corn does indeed rape the soil of it nutrients. The fancier corn growers who are getting 5-6 ears off of a single stock are the worst offenders. Replenishment of the soil comes at a high cost in dollars and chemicals, not always the best choice for the environment, but good for more production.

On a positive note concerning distilled corn brother, whiskey has no calories as the sugar is removed during the process. You're welcome...
 
On a positive note concerning distilled corn brother, whiskey has no calories as the sugar is removed during the process. You're welcome...
Thanks. I'll stick to Scotch Whisky so as not contribute to the corn problem. My motorcycles and yard equipment all remain corn free as well.
 
The water will bond with the alcohol and settle to the bottom where you open the valve and drain it out leaving ethanol free gas in the can.
You probably know this, but that also lowers the octane. Until recently, I lived in Lumpkin County. E0 was easy enough to get that my yard equipment was never fed any ethanol.
 
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