Ethanol and carb problems By wolfhound (Read 2,380 times)

[wolfhound]

Here in GA we seem to be getting ethanol at above the original 10% in our fuel. Mountain Moped thinks it may
be closer to 14%. As a result the jets in the carbs are
clogging up and carb bowls are shellacing. We have
both encountered this problem and he has had to clean
out the carbs on his and my scoots. (I am mechanically
handicapped) It seems to happen when the scoots are
not being run regularly. Also being seen in lawnmowers.
weedeaters and chain saws.
Has any one else encountered this problem?

[tvnacman]

My Harley sat for several months and the crap I found was very bad . Even if I don't ride I try to start the engines every 2 weeks . I run them for a good 15 min and rev them up to get some gas through the main jet . It seems to help .

John

[wolfhound]

John, that is the program that I am following now. Fresh gas, Sta-Bel, and if nothing else
running them on the drive way(it is long) acouple of tiumes a week. So far it is working.

[sugarscoot]

This is a VERY common problem with these scooters and ethanol. I went to my local cycle shop and got some Star Brite Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. It stabilizes the ethanol so that it doesn't fall out of suspension, stick to your carb and cause gum up. I've used it for the last 3-4 months and so far no problems. We'll see how she does after the winter sit this year with it. Hope this helps. Happy Scooting!

[jct842]

If you need gas in small quantity instead of crapahol check and see if you have any marinas in your area. Marinas usually do not have any alcohol in their gas, but it will cost more. Airports too but theirs is much higher octane. Water is attracted to alcohol and if any got in an airplanes gas tank it could freeze in the filter and gas line and cause a dead engine when they got to higher altitudes.

[alleyoop]

If you have them parked and you start them once every 1 or 2 weeks and let them warm up you will not have any problems. I have been doing that with my Trike since I got it back in march of 2009 and the trike is ready to ride anytime. I haven't cleaned the carb once just use good fuel filters I use the VISU type they are strong and trap the smallest particles. When you see it getting dark change it. Actually you can clean them out just blow them out from the outlet side going to the carb since all the particles are on the outside of the filter.
Alleyoop

[wolfhound]

Good advise from all of you. I agree with Oop. Part of my problem was letting the scoots sit for longer
periods of time befor running them. No longer letting that happen. Thanks to sugerscoot also for the
tip on Star Brite. I am using Sta-Bal but will see if I can find Star Brite.

[scooterran]

Try this sight for a little help that might save you a lot of problems. .pure-gas.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.pure-gas.org This helped me a lot. Look at page 6 at the top posted by me.

[wolfhound]

Thanks, scooterran. We have 2 stations in our area and one in Bryson City, NC that offer real gas.
Mountain Moped is bringing gas back from BC and I am going to try to locate the ones here.

[alleyoop]

Alleyoop

[wolfhound]

Sea Foam is good too. Did some research and Sta-Bil is offered in 4 different recipes. One is an ethanol mixture addressing the shellac problem
for scoots, small engines, ect. I may get some after I run out of regular Sta-Bil. Running the scoots at least once a week is necesssary also.

[wolfhound]

Well, Mountain Moped, somewhat assisted by me, cleaned the carb and re-jetted it, on the IB Ruckus trike. I got to see what
ethanol does to a scoot carb up close. The jets were totally clogged and there was a white jelly like substance in the bottom of
the carb bowl. The ethanol had started to corode the aluminum bowl as well. The UPS driver arrived and told us that he was
having the same trouble with the engine for his boat, entire gas tank had a layer of white 'jelly' on the bottom.
I have located three marinas nearby who sell pure gas, no additives and may start buying the scoot gas from them. Also
piked up Sta-Bil ethanol treatment to try. The moral of this story is: Dont let your scoots drink ethanol!!!

[scootaway]

Can someone please tell me which type of gas in the US contains ethanol and which is ethanol free. My daughter lives there and whilst she drives a little Ford Focus I am wondering if this additive is not choking the little Ford up as it does with scooters.

[jct842]

I just gave a needy neighbor a few gallons of out board gas that was at least a year old with mercury branded oil mix in it, perfectly good yet. His chain saw loves it. If that had been crapahol it would have been half gelled, or maybe even solidified by now. In a car with the much bigger jets and used every day it is not as much of a problem. I would hate to be in a state like Missouri where it is next to impossible to get gas. I generally pay way more to get it in my car, but in the end it is still cheaper as the car goes further per dollar on gas compared to crapahol. john

[wolfhound]

Check scooterrans message above. Most ethanol free gas is found at marinas. Motorboat engines are affected just as scooter engines are. I am planning to
check this out as I have 3 marinas in my area that offer ethanol free gas.