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 Post subject: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:50 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:35 pm
Posts: 562
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
This is a bit 4 strokey but.... Sea Foam is the only additive I have ever put in anything that worked, so according to the manufacturers recommendation I used Sea Foam to stabilize gas in a couple of my bikes.

I tried to start the ZRX and it fouled three of the four plugs! The bike a been sitting for probably three weeks and does not have a history of fouling plugs.

I theorize that the volatiles in the gas evaporated and all that was left was unburnable.

This is just a note on a little life episode that you might keep in your memory banks for future reference.

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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 12:06 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9928
Location: North Central NC
battleax wrote:
I theorize that the volatiles in the gas evaporated and all that was left was unburnable.

Three weeks seems like way too little time for the gasoline to be so changed as to foul plugs. (?)

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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:24 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:31 pm
Posts: 327
Location: Real Illinois....not chicago
Jim wrote:
battleax wrote:
I theorize that the volatiles in the gas evaporated and all that was left was unburnable.

Three weeks seems like way too little time for the gasoline to be so changed as to foul plugs. (?)


Unless the gas was already bad I agree. To much additive will foul plugs. If a little "extra" wasn't used I would check the petcock for leakage and the crankcase for gas maybe.


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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 2:50 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:12 pm
Posts: 2167
ive had stuff sit 6 mos and be fine w/no additive. seafoam, way overrated stuff IMHO.


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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:01 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:16 am
Posts: 2148
Location: North Alabama
m in sc wrote:
ive had stuff sit 6 mos and be fine w/no additive. seafoam, way overrated stuff IMHO.


I agree...although I do use Sta-bil over the winter to reduce varnish build up in the tiny passages of the carbs.
And, I get fresh gas ASAP.

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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:01 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:42 pm
Posts: 74
Location: Scottsdale Az
I've been using a gallon of Bp C12 racing fuel in bikes that sit for a long while and have no problem. It's about 9 dollars a gallon but sea foam isn't cheap either.


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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:40 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:12 pm
Posts: 1902
Location: Rockville, MD USA
Have a Ford Ranger that once sat outside for 6 months on untreated gas and it started right up.
While I do belive that fuel can change characteristics, it doesn't have to be brandy-new to start a bike in good condition.

I do think you're pushing your luck after about a month untreated; of course we really never know how it has been stored or how long in tanks when we buy it at the pump.

Have never had a problem with Sta-Bil and use it in all my lawn equipment and bikes with 100% good results.

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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:15 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:12 pm
Posts: 2167
i usually put premium in the bikes... i know i dont need to for the old stokers but seems to be less shitified.


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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:20 pm 

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:34 pm
Posts: 676
Location: orange CA
If you google " gasoline phase separation" it pretty much sums it up. Another thing to do is fill up a glass jar with gasoline and watch it separate. Been there done that. Ever notice it's easier to clean a carb that had fuel from the 80s in it than say 2001?


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 Post subject: Re: More Winterization
PostPosted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:59 am 
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Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:14 pm
Posts: 936
Location: Martinsburg, WV
For the short duration my bikes are parked, I leave them with a little less than half a tank over the winter, fill them up on the first ride, and I'm good to go. Running some premix through the bikes before winter also keeps the carbs clean. Once the gas evaporates, all that's left is a nice coating of oil in the carbs that keeps corrosion out. Even my 4 stroke machines, lawnmowers, ect get this treatment and never had a problem. :thumbup:

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