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[Norm]

I pulled an Electra out of a shed yesterday that hasn't been started for over 4 years. dusted it off a bit, opened the decomp, kicked it over a dozen times to push a bit of oil about, closed the decomp, kicked and it started first kick. The fuel is over 4 years old, so why does some fuel turn to junk and other fuel doesn't, is it just fuel with ethanol that is the problem?

[DUFFEL]

Hi Norm.Yes it is the Ethanol in the fuel that is hydroscopic and absorbs the moisture this lays at the bottom of the tank as it is heavier than the petrol.It also causes other problems which no doubt you know of .Lets ban it as the Government are paying more to Farmers all over the world to grow Bio fuels than use their fields to grow gropes to feed the world and is the reason why our cereals /bread and dairy products are on the increase

[neddy]

Ethanol is a problem yes, but before the days of this and unleaded, old petrol would spoil after some months

[jaffa90]

It`s something i wouldn`t do,(i imagine you removed the spark plug and lubed the cylinder first)also your risking running on a weak mixture which may cause engine wear/damage more so in warmer weather when it comes.

[Frank]

Since it's introduction in fuels over here ethanol has caused big problems in marine engines whose fuel can be stored for many months, in large quantities and in a naturally damp environment. There were few problems before that. I've never seen stale fuel as such where the smell is supposed to be offensive, but I've seen evidence of the globules of jelly like substance caused by the absorbtion of water by the ethanol. If you purposely mix water and petrol containg ethanol together you can see the egg white like suspension in the water at the bottom of the container.It is this that I imagine causes the problems. As far as I know, as yet, super unleaded fuels do not contain ethanol so for the time being I will avoid the problem by sticking to them.

[grunda 12]

good these electras eh norm !!

[STU]

Yes it must be said, pull a bike out of a shed after four years and it starts first proper kick!
Can you get much better than that?
Perhaps it had last been filled with Super Unleaded? I certainly use that in mine which, along with the iridium plug, gives excellent performance.
Electras - better than the rest!!!

[grunda 12]

hot potatoe stu?

[STU]

Mmmm, yes please Paul. Cheese and beans for me!!!
And a side helping of Super Unleaded...

[Norm]

Only downside is the E/S doesn't work, surpirse surprise, "it worked when I put it in the shed" I guess the solonoid has chucked it in.