Ethanol Problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Respectfully disagree...... Ethanol can't hold its octane value as long as regular gasoline. So 87 becomes 84 in a relatively short time span.
The other problem is in rural areas if 91 is available. It is so old, it's worse than 87.
I hate this! The whole thing sucks!
Truth....byof!!!! Bring your own fuel!
The other problem is in rural areas if 91 is available. It is so old, it's worse than 87.
I hate this! The whole thing sucks!
Truth....byof!!!! Bring your own fuel!
I hate ethanol, but lets make sure we make decisions based on reason.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 57
From: N. IL
Honestly, when snowmobiling in the U.P. of Michigan during the first part of the season, is another cause to be alarmed. I'll bring 12gallons just to mix with what I believe to be garbage.
Ethanol when stored is a time bomb. Just ask any reputable engine builder. Hell, ask anyone! Lol!
I take old, nasty, ethanol rotting in some underground cesspool very seriously.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
Heading to Sturgis, where two weeks out of the year their fuel gets replenished. Yep, I'd be very wary! Lol!
Honestly, when snowmobiling in the U.P. of Michigan during the first part of the season, is another cause to be alarmed. I'll bring 12gallons just to mix with what I believe to be garbage.
Ethanol when stored is a time bomb. Just ask any reputable engine builder. Hell, ask anyone! Lol!
I take old, nasty, ethanol rotting in some underground cesspool very seriously.
Honestly, when snowmobiling in the U.P. of Michigan during the first part of the season, is another cause to be alarmed. I'll bring 12gallons just to mix with what I believe to be garbage.
Ethanol when stored is a time bomb. Just ask any reputable engine builder. Hell, ask anyone! Lol!
I take old, nasty, ethanol rotting in some underground cesspool very seriously.
Personally in the 3 years I've been to Sturgis, I've never had a problem, as much as I hate the stuff.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 57
From: N. IL
Kiethhu,
In most instances I'd agree with you.....
Pretty sure the o.p. found out the hard way. He's now considering another tune, To get by. Me, I'd just find some fresh fuel and dump the fuel in his tank out.
I wouldn't remap my bike, just me......
In most instances I'd agree with you.....
Pretty sure the o.p. found out the hard way. He's now considering another tune, To get by. Me, I'd just find some fresh fuel and dump the fuel in his tank out.
I wouldn't remap my bike, just me......
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
My 103 has the SE255 Cams that slightly increase compression due to an early exhaust close...which also increases heat. Running 91 octane, under load, climbing mountains, in very hot weather...I would get slight pinging. With 1oz of Lucas Octane Boost per gallon of gas...no pinging. It does for me what I need...and that's that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 472
From: CC TX
Ethanol has no effect on knocking, that is caused by low octane causing preignition under load. Up here in Minnesota, gasoline has 10% ethanol, unles you can find non-oxyginated fuel, and they are only allowed to be used in boats, atvs, motorcycles, and I believe in classic cars.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Agreed, we have non ethanol stations all around Kansas City. BP, Quik Trip, Valero and several other's. The BP closest to me has non ethanol in 91 octane, that's all I buy for the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
Per the the following in trusty Wikepedia, pure ethanol has 50% of energy as pure gasoline. Therefore, for every 5% of ethanol in your gas you have 2.5% less energy...and corresponding power. As such E10 has 5% less energy as pure gasoline & E15 has 7.5% less energy than pure gasoline.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaso...fuels_like_E85
"1.5 gallons of ethanol has the same energy content as 1.0 gallon of gasoline.
The energy content of 1.0 US gallon of ethanol is 76,100 BTU, compared to 114,100 BTU for gasoline. (see chart above)
A flex-fuel vehicle will experience about 76% of the fuel mileage MPG when using E85 (85% ethanol) products as compared to 100% gasoline. Simple calculations of the BTU values of the ethanol and the gasoline indicate the reduced heat values available to the internal combustion engine. Pure ethanol provides 2/3 of the heat value available in pure gasoline."
Do you think HD specs our motors running pure gasoline or with E10?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaso...fuels_like_E85
"1.5 gallons of ethanol has the same energy content as 1.0 gallon of gasoline.
The energy content of 1.0 US gallon of ethanol is 76,100 BTU, compared to 114,100 BTU for gasoline. (see chart above)
A flex-fuel vehicle will experience about 76% of the fuel mileage MPG when using E85 (85% ethanol) products as compared to 100% gasoline. Simple calculations of the BTU values of the ethanol and the gasoline indicate the reduced heat values available to the internal combustion engine. Pure ethanol provides 2/3 of the heat value available in pure gasoline."
Do you think HD specs our motors running pure gasoline or with E10?
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: ontario canada
I run methanol in my dragster. Methanol absorbs humidity from the air. We keep it sealed all the time. It has a high octane equivalent to 114 but drops quickly with the water in it and also from evaporation.
I believe ground tanks cause both these problems.
The gunk you find in plugged carbs ( grey jellow) is ethanol that has evaporated and absorbed water so yes it is crap and small stations on great little roads out of the way very likely have old crap for sale.
Steve
I believe ground tanks cause both these problems.
The gunk you find in plugged carbs ( grey jellow) is ethanol that has evaporated and absorbed water so yes it is crap and small stations on great little roads out of the way very likely have old crap for sale.
Steve
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 285
From: Alva Florida
I think Octane rating is more important than whether its pure gas or not. Sure I would rather run non-ethanol, but in SW Fl all we have is Rec 90. Non ethanol 90 octane. HD says minimum 91 octane recommended. Got to figure HD pads that number a little so possibly you get by with 89 octane with a Stock Bike, and it says Recommended, not required.
So I run the corn juice 92-93 octane instead of the Rec 90 non-ethanol most of the time. Both my bikes have been modified, Heads, Cams, Exhaust, Tuner, ect. Was told by the tuner, octane rating is more important than whether its got ethanol in it or not. Especially on modified motors. If they sold non ethanol 92 or 93 octane around here I would buy it....but until then I'll run the higher octane rating just to be safe.
So I run the corn juice 92-93 octane instead of the Rec 90 non-ethanol most of the time. Both my bikes have been modified, Heads, Cams, Exhaust, Tuner, ect. Was told by the tuner, octane rating is more important than whether its got ethanol in it or not. Especially on modified motors. If they sold non ethanol 92 or 93 octane around here I would buy it....but until then I'll run the higher octane rating just to be safe.