how to ensure no water in fuel

[macgregor]

just wanted to know what you fellas do to ensure you have no water in your gas, do you use additives? and if so to every tank or fillup?

1) stabil
2) gas line treatment with isopropynol
3) seafoam

thanks in advance, I am concerned when I buy my gas on the trail from small town stations and such, do you carry an additive with you to put in the tank at fillup....cheers Greg

 

[DaJudge]

I put a bottle of isop in every other tank full or 20 gallons. It is almost impossible to keep all of the water out of the tank.
I do carry it with me just in case of a freeze up while on the trail. It will defrost a frozen fuel line should it happen.

 

[macgregor]

Thanks for the response, I think I will start carrying a bottle or two with me for filling up on the trails......cheers Greg.

 

[Len Todd]

Keep the tank full when the sled is sitting around. If your coming in off the trail, fill the sled before you park it for the night. This precludes the airspace necessary for moisture to condense from the fuel.

Do not shock your fuel system with cleaners, and alcohol is a cleaner. Use cleaners as recommended. If you shock the fuel system, you may be in for a tow when all the deposits let loose and wind up in a carb or an injector.

 

[macgregor]

Hi Len; as always your expertise is appreciated, so basically what you are saying is just make sure I got fresh gas and keep the tank topped up as much as possible, and don't just dump in a bottle of gas line antifreeze every fill up or even bother at all, or I will be doing more harm than good right?

Keep the tank full when the sled is sitting around. If your coming in off the trail, fill the sled before you park it for the night. This precludes the airspace necessary for moisture to condense from the fuel.

Do not shock your fuel system with cleaners, and alcohol is a cleaner. Use cleaners as recommended. If you shock the fuel system, you may be in for a tow when all the deposits let loose and wind up in a carb or an injector.

 

[abj87]

There is already alcohol in the fuel (ethanol) so there is no need to add more.

 

[macgregor]

There is already alcohol in the fuel (ethanol) so there is no need to add more.

sorry, to clarify, there is ethanol available here in canada but not the norm, I never buy it....and try to avoid it altogether....cheers Mac

 

[Len Todd]

Just to be sure I am clear. If you choose to use fuel system cleaners, do so in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. DO NOT figure if a little cleaner is good, a lot of cleaner must be a lot better. When you shock the system with a cleaner, the deposits are freed rapidly and come down the fuel system in chunks versus being dissolved in the fuel. And, ...

When you are burning ethanol/methanol you are already using a cleaner. However, "Dry Gas" per the maunfacturer's instructions does not hirt from time to time.

 

[standard]

Be very careful

Adding Isopropyl alcohol can be dangerous. I will indeed lean out the fuel.
I was riding a 2 stroke (I know..we have 4 strokes) in -20 degree trails. The sled felt like it was hesitating at higher speeds. We added some (I am sure to much) "see Len's note..! Isopropyl alcohol...and burned down the motor in just under 30 min.
Be careful.!

 

[macgregor]

Re: Be very careful

Adding Isopropyl alcohol can be dangerous. I will indeed lean out the fuel.
I was riding a 2 stroke (I know..we have 4 strokes) in -20 degree trails. The sled felt like it was hesitating at higher speeds. We added some (I am sure to much) "see Len's note..! Isopropyl alcohol...and burned down the motor in just under 30 min.
Be careful.!

well, I am sure glad I asked the question, because I was going to add a bottle to each tank figuring it would do no harm at all, now you guys have me convinced, fresh gas and top up the tank when I get back, hopefully coming into a heated garage helps, who knows maybe thats goign to create more condensation. Anyhow thanks for the replies guys, I am swearing off "alcohol" for good ....happy trails...cheers Greg

 

[rx1ryda989]

Len, do you think that dry gas can loosen deposits in the fuel system??I run dry gas alot because I am in and out of my heated garage, and I dont always fill up after riding every time. Just curious on your opinion. I have ran stabil religiously, and never had a carb issue. Heck, Ive never had the carb rack off in 12,000 miles. Is 1/2 bottle of dry gas to much every tank?

 

[macgregor]

Len, do you think that dry gas can loosen deposits in the fuel system??I run dry gas alot because I am in and out of my heated garage, and I dont always fill up after riding every time. Just curious on your opinion. I have ran stabil religiously, and never had a carb issue. Heck, Ive never had the carb rack off in 12,000 miles. Is 1/2 bottle of dry gas to much every tank?

when you say you run stabil religously, can you expand on that? do you mean for storeage? or do you also add that to the fuel at times?....thanks.

 

[rx1ryda989]

I run stabil the last ride of the year so it gets in the whole fuel system and in the carbs. Whatever left over gas I drain out and then run the carbs dry until machine wont fire. Works great.

 

[macgregor]

I run stabil the last ride of the year so it gets in the whole fuel system and in the carbs. Whatever left over gas I drain out and then run the carbs dry until machine wont fire. Works great.

perfect thats what I do too, and stored both mine '04 rx1 and my wifes '02 vmax 600 like that and they both fire right back up on fresh fuel in the fall, thanks for sharing....cheers

 

[apltx08]

There is already alcohol in the fuel (ethanol) so there is no need to add more.

sorry, to clarify, there is ethanol available here in canada but not the norm, I never buy it....and try to avoid it altogether....cheers Mac

90% of fuels now have some sort of ETHANOL or TRACTOL in PETRO Canada fuels, specialy us in eastern Canada...Corn grower s love it!!! I wonder why! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I use 2oz. of SEAFOAM per full tank, the best all around product, LUBES, STABILIZES, CLEANS...

Like Len said, keep your tank full at ALL times, I keep mine in a heated garage and never had any issues, I keep gas in reserve in 5 gal containers and top her off after every ride.