Ethanol caused engine problems?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 177
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From: Tucson, Arizona
Ethanol caused engine problems?
On the way from Tucson to Lauglin's River Run two weeks ago we fueled up with a major brand of premium just outside of Phoenix. It had 10% ethanol. About 50 miles later the bike started missing alot, no matter the speed, 75 or less. Seemed to be OK during accelleration or decelleration, but it could not hold a steady speed without serious sputtering. Thought I had a bad ECM., fact that was reinforced by Harley riders stopped at Wikieup. Managed to get to Kingman, where the Mother Rode Harley service department suggested bad fuel as a likely cause. I was a little concerened about riding down into Laughlin, where it would be over 100 degrees, and then trying to get back out with a missing engine. Decided to burn off all of the ethanol fuel, then keep putting non-ethanol based fuel in the bike. After a couple of tanks, the bike got a lot better, with just occasional misses. Runs great again now that I'm back in Tucson. So I'm thinking, no more ethanol for my bike if I can help it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,934
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From: Reading, PA
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
ORIGINAL: roadkingsaddlebrooke
On the way from Tucson to Lauglin's River Run two weeks ago we fueled up with a major brand of premium just outside of Phoenix. It had 10% ethanol. About 50 miles later the bike started missing alot, no matter the speed, 75 or less. Seemed to be OK during accelleration or decelleration, but it could not hold a steady speed without serious sputtering. Thought I had a bad ECM., fact that was reinforced by Harley riders stopped at Wikieup. Managed to get to Kingman, where the Mother Rode Harley service department suggested bad fuel as a likely cause. I was a little concerened about riding down into Laughlin, where it would be over 100 degrees, and then trying to get back out with a missing engine. Decided to burn off all of the ethanol fuel, then keep putting non-ethanol based fuel in the bike. After a couple of tanks, the bike got a lot better, with just occasional misses. Runs great again now that I'm back in Tucson. So I'm thinking, no more ethanol for my bike if I can help it.
On the way from Tucson to Lauglin's River Run two weeks ago we fueled up with a major brand of premium just outside of Phoenix. It had 10% ethanol. About 50 miles later the bike started missing alot, no matter the speed, 75 or less. Seemed to be OK during accelleration or decelleration, but it could not hold a steady speed without serious sputtering. Thought I had a bad ECM., fact that was reinforced by Harley riders stopped at Wikieup. Managed to get to Kingman, where the Mother Rode Harley service department suggested bad fuel as a likely cause. I was a little concerened about riding down into Laughlin, where it would be over 100 degrees, and then trying to get back out with a missing engine. Decided to burn off all of the ethanol fuel, then keep putting non-ethanol based fuel in the bike. After a couple of tanks, the bike got a lot better, with just occasional misses. Runs great again now that I'm back in Tucson. So I'm thinking, no more ethanol for my bike if I can help it.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 260
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From:
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
You got a bad tank of fuel, but I doubt if it was the ethanol that caused it. Here in the midwest you just about cannot buy fuel without 10% ethanol, but the bikes run fine with it. A little less mileage is the only downside.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
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From: USA
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
I agree with the bad fuel, water could have been the culpret over the ethanol.
Glad to hear its straightened out for the most part. Next time you can try some dry gas (HEET) and the situation would clear sooner. That will confirm you water suspissions.
You may want to take the tank cross over hose loose and drain off some gas, then you can see for sure that the water is out of your tank. One of the times which I had my tank off I drained off quite a bit of water out of the tank, must have been close to an ounce or so.
Even now after winter some dry gas wouldnt' hurt!
Glad to hear its straightened out for the most part. Next time you can try some dry gas (HEET) and the situation would clear sooner. That will confirm you water suspissions.
You may want to take the tank cross over hose loose and drain off some gas, then you can see for sure that the water is out of your tank. One of the times which I had my tank off I drained off quite a bit of water out of the tank, must have been close to an ounce or so.
Even now after winter some dry gas wouldnt' hurt!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 177
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From: Tucson, Arizona
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
Thanks for the reply; I bought Chevron at I 17 and AZ 74, where a lot of bikers stop. From the other replys, I suspect that maybe it was just one bad tank of gas, though other posts include some dissatifaction with ethanol based fuels.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Tucson, Arizona
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
Thanks for the info on the water testand Heet recomendation.I hope that at over $3 pergallon that the stations aren't adding water too!
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 537
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From: Dothan, AL
RE: Ethanol caused engine problems?
Ethanol absorbs water. That is one of the drawbacks that has prevented widespread use until now. If it has been sitting in an undergroud tank with a leak it may have had some water infused in it.
