CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Dormouse]

Float valve erosion is very worrying as a flooding carb is a good way to set an engine bay on fire...

We really are heading for some 'fun' times...

I won't cause an engine bay fire on a bike but was it does do is causes the petrol to flow into the airbox, from there onto the swing arm, frame discolouring it or worse, flow forward into the cylinder(s) and fill the sump up. The Zeph was doing both. When I drained the oil when I first picked it up I got 7.5 litres out...... it should only hold 5.
I think if I hadn't have bought it it would have died at some point because the PO wasn't mechanically minded.

Those of us running old carb bikes that aren't daily runners are already having lots of fun. I use an additive in all my carb engines, some in the club use a special ready mix at £5 a litre and brim the tank for over wintering, some drain the fuel system completely but this also has it's drawbacks if the bike is stored in a not absolutely dry environment. Rust in the fuel tank, corrosion in the carbs etc. Replacing a rusty tank could set you back £300 for a 70's Z, if you can find one, them another £200 to have it painted up to match the rest of the bike.
One chap lives near a small airfield and runs his bikes on 100LL Avgas. There are certain areas of the country (UK) where ethanol free fuel is still available, it's marked up as 5% ethanol (SP98) but these figures regarding the % are 'no more than' as opposed to an exact quantity.

Or your ankles!

[CitroJim]

from there onto the swing arm, frame discolouring it

I was shocked yesterday to see how rapidly E5 (Shell's finest) discoloured a length of clear plastic pipe I briefly used as a filter bypass... It used to take years back along!

Those of us running old carb bikes that aren't daily runners are already having lots of fun. I use an additive in all my carb engines

I'd appreciate some details of that additive please Pete..

it's marked up as 5% ethanol (SP98) but these figures regarding the % are 'no more than' as opposed to an exact quantity.

I've heard the E5 from some of the major players is currently zero methanol but cannot recall which ones. I think it may have been Esso. It would be good to know definitively..

Or your ankles!

And if it ignited it would give a whole new meaning to 'hot footing it...'

[mickthemaverick]

I've heard the E5 from some of the major players is currently zero methanol but cannot recall which ones. I think it may have been Esso. It would be good to know definitively..

It is indeed Esso Supreme+ which is labelled 5% but the last I knew it was still 0%

[CitroJim]

I've heard the E5 from some of the major players is currently zero methanol but cannot recall which ones. I think it may have been Esso. It would be good to know definitively..

It is indeed Esso Supreme+ which is labelled 5% but the last I knew it was still 0%

Thanks Mick Shame we have no Esso garages local to me... I must search one out...

[mickthemaverick]

There used to be one round the back of the MK central shopping centre on Childs Way. I don't know if it is still Esso/there at all!!

[Dormouse]

Mercury was the ankle winged Messenger. Does anyone know the Petroleum Company that used Mercury in its Logo.

[Hell Razor5543]

National?

[mickthemaverick]

National Benzole?

[Dormouse]

yessss1

[CitroJim]

There used to be one round the back of the MK central shopping centre on Childs Way. I don't know if it is still Esso/there at all!!

Not a part of the city I frequent Mick... I'm sure Zel will know...

Not so long ago my local'ish Esso changed to a Total and I'm aware a few other filling stations have changed their identities fairly recently...

Be good to know the formulations of Shell V-Power and Total Excellum but most especially Tesco Supreme+ as that's where I get most of my petrol...

It works for me as I pop in at 6AM on the way to doing my food shop. The forecourt is nicely quiet then and I like using 'Pay at Pump'...

You beat me to National Benzol Mick I still know of a garage locally - no longer selling fuel - still displaying the National pump-top globes... I must get a picture next time I pass by on my bike...

[moizeau]

Jim, the Esso Synergie is only available in certain areas https://www.esso.co.uk/en-gb/fuels/petrol
The additive I use is this https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B012RT ... UTF8&psc=1

[Hell Razor5543]

Be careful using the 'Pay at Pump' option, Jim. It appears that some of the major Supermarkets are taking a 'deposit' of £100, holding onto it for a few days, and then (assuming no issues) returning it to your account. I wonder how much interest that is 'earning' them? If they have enough £100 'deposits' the interest could amount to quite a bit.

[myglaren]

I was shocked yesterday to see how rapidly E5 (Shell's finest) discoloured a length of clear plastic pipe I briefly used as a filter bypass... It used to take years back along!

Try drowning some in Vodka or Gin and see how it fares. May not be the ethanol.

[moizeau]

While we're on the subject of ethanol petrol, the bugger ate the insides out of my fibreglass TY250 tank. It now leaks at the seam and rattles.....oh and yes fuel pipe. cheap stuff goes rock hard in no time.

[CitroJim]

I was shocked yesterday to see how rapidly E5 (Shell's finest) discoloured a length of clear plastic pipe I briefly used as a filter bypass... It used to take years back along!

Try drowning some in Vodka or Gin and see how it fares. May not be the ethanol.

That's a shocking waste of good alcohol Steve!

While we're on the subject of ethanol petrol, the bugger ate the insides out of my fibreglass TY250 tank.

It's certainly evil stuff... I wonder how many people realise it's horribly toxic.