Stupid ethanol!!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
I probably cut it disconnecting the fuel line a few times then by trying to pry it out with the paper clip. I'm in the search for a dental pick.
Last edited by yzergod; Aug 3, 2016 at 10:11 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are engineered, designed, and manufactured to run 10% ethanol fuel. On EFI motors the ECM comes from the factory set for 10% ethanol. All o-rings, gaskets, seals and other components that come in contact with fuel are manufactured from materials designed to be used with ethanol fuels.
It is ridiculous on its face to state that using fuel the motor is designed to use damages the motor.
It is ridiculous on its face to state that using fuel the motor is designed to use damages the motor.
Last edited by yzergod; Aug 3, 2016 at 10:11 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Then please explain to me how my sending unit starts dribbling fuel on it's own without provocation? I did disconnect the fuel line AFTER it started leaking 3-4 times in an effort to figure out why it was leaking and then completely butchered it with the paperclip removing it. But, it was the big gas spot on my rear cylinder that had me disconnecting it to begin with. Say what you will, but o-rings just don't give without provocation.
Last edited by yzergod; Aug 3, 2016 at 10:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,070
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Then please explain to me how my sending unit starts dribbling fuel on it's own without provocation? I did disconnect the fuel line AFTER it started leaking 3-4 times in an effort to figure out why it was leaking and then completely butchered it with the paperclip removing it. But, it was the big gas spot on my rear cylinder that had me disconnecting it to begin with. Say what you will, but o-rings just don't give without provocation.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Well, Regardless of my (or anybody else's) opinions on ethanol fuel, I can't believe the theory that the o-rings simply degraded in composition due to engine vibration. There is a lot of rubber in these motors that would be falling apart by that logic. I will say that since the bike was repainted, that the o-ring could have been damaged prior. But, be it ethanol fuel, engine vibration, or a combination of both, it sucks that;
A) HD considers this problem a "non-serviceable part" and,
B) This is even a problem to contend with! All over a couple .50 o-rings.
A) HD considers this problem a "non-serviceable part" and,
B) This is even a problem to contend with! All over a couple .50 o-rings.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
The problem with NON-ethanol gas is the Feds have mandated "oxygenated" components in gasoline nation wide. So.......... if they do not use Ethanol (pushed and federally subsidized in pricing to make it cheap enough), then they MUST use something else that does still have oxygen in the chemical. It used to be MTBE, then that was banned, and now I understand that some are using acetone or another of the ketone family of chemicals.
The current O-rings are made to take the ethanol up to nearly 25pct if I remember right, but acetone and other longer ketone molecules will still eat them up... so I stick to ethanol gas. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know for me.
As to the energy in ethanol vs other natural gasoline components.... thats what your EFI computer is monitoring dozens of times per second. It just puts an extra drop or two into the cylinder if it detects not enough energy coming out of the previous cylinder firing... MUCH faster than I just typed that.
The current O-rings are made to take the ethanol up to nearly 25pct if I remember right, but acetone and other longer ketone molecules will still eat them up... so I stick to ethanol gas. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know for me.
As to the energy in ethanol vs other natural gasoline components.... thats what your EFI computer is monitoring dozens of times per second. It just puts an extra drop or two into the cylinder if it detects not enough energy coming out of the previous cylinder firing... MUCH faster than I just typed that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
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From: Home
Well, Regardless of my (or anybody else's) opinions on ethanol fuel, I can't believe the theory that the o-rings simply degraded in composition due to engine vibration. There is a lot of rubber in these motors that would be falling apart by that logic. I will say that since the bike was repainted, that the o-ring could have been damaged prior. But, be it ethanol fuel, engine vibration, or a combination of both, it sucks that;
A) HD considers this problem a "non-serviceable part" and,
B) This is even a problem to contend with! All over a couple .50 o-rings.
A) HD considers this problem a "non-serviceable part" and,
B) This is even a problem to contend with! All over a couple .50 o-rings.
Apply that logic to the rubber in the motor.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 54
From: North Alabama
No offense but can you provide any documentation that "ethanol is Bad Juju"?
I've been hearing this for years but have seen no studies that back up the claim.
If someone can produce any type of significant evidence that ethanol harms engines I'll love to see that.
Before people start slamming me; I'm not saying it's not bad for engines, I'm just saying I've never seen any evidence that it is.
I've been hearing this for years but have seen no studies that back up the claim.
If someone can produce any type of significant evidence that ethanol harms engines I'll love to see that.
Before people start slamming me; I'm not saying it's not bad for engines, I'm just saying I've never seen any evidence that it is.
Fuel line deterioration from alcohol blended fuel...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x.../image_41.jpeg
Fuel filter cut open to show the line particles inside the filter itself...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x.../image_43.jpeg
And this is inside the pulse (fuel) pump...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x.../image_40.jpeg
Last edited by racerkvn; Aug 4, 2016 at 08:36 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
"racerkvn" .. It's obvious that Blueraven isn't receptive to the countless articles ( reference the google link that I provided and he "shunned" ) regarding the pitfalls of ethanol. His response is to dismiss it all as "whatever"