Fuel containers for ethanol blend (10%)?

**slofox** · 27th December 2009, 08:17

Calling on the collective intelligence and knowledge of KB here...fount of all wisdom as we know...

I'd like to keep about 5 litres of Force 10 fuel at home so I don't have to cross town just to top up a fuel tank that is maybe 2l off full before departing on a ride that I know requires a full tank.

Which brings me to wonder if standard plastic fuel containers are OK for an ethanol blend. None of the counter jumpers at Super Cheap could answer the question with any certainty at all. So I thought "I know! I'll ask on KB! They know everything!"

So waddaya think? Are standard plastic containers OK for 10% ethanol gas? Or should I revert to a tin tin?

Muchos Gracias team...

**birdhandler** · 27th December 2009, 08:58

standard fuel container is fine
look at the containers you buy meths in from the supermarket or DIY store they are nothing special

For a better taste i would recommend distilling your own if you miss the colour get parfait amour essence from your home brew store

**slofox** · 27th December 2009, 09:01

Originally Posted by birdhandler

For a better taste i would recommend distilling your own if you miss the colour get parfait amour essence from your home brew store

I do have a home still in fact...I get colour (and flavour) from Toasted French Oak chips...

Thanks for the advice re the fuel container, BTW...

**Highlander** · 27th December 2009, 09:06

Originally Posted by slofox

I do have a home still in fact...I get colour (and flavour) from Toasted French Oak chips...

Thanks for the advice re the fuel container, BTW...

The chips they make from Jack Daniels barrels is pretty good too.

**slofox** · 27th December 2009, 09:10

Originally Posted by Highlander

The chips they make from Jack Daniels barrels is pretty good too.

Yep....I've used them too...

**smoky** · 27th December 2009, 09:18

Originally Posted by slofox

I'd like to keep about 5 litres of Force 10 fuel at home so I don't have to cross town just to top up a fuel tank

Does your bike run OK on that stuff - it's not recommended?

**slofox** · 27th December 2009, 09:43

Originally Posted by smoky

Does your bike run OK on that stuff - it's not recommended?

The bike runs very well on it smoky...and it is approved in the user manual..."blends of unleaded gasoline and ethanol...may be used in your motorcycle if the ethanol content is not greater than 10%"
Years ago we used methanol to fuel various bikes for various purposes - like sprinters etc. Apart from being a bastard to start, they always ran very well. Prolonged use tended to leave a loss less crap (carbon) in the engine than regular gasoline...

**meowmix** · 27th December 2009, 10:14

A plastic container should be fine as stated, but I wouldn't keep it for too long. I read of issues in the US where the fuel goes 'bad' after a very short time if left sitting (mind, thats in Arizona and the ethanol content is higher).
How does it go with the fuel hoses? That'd be my biggest concern.

**Hitcher** · 27th December 2009, 16:41

Don't buy ethanol blend. It's environmental vandalism. It takes more energy to manufacture than "normal" petrol. It also forces marginal land into production and drives up food prices. Biofuels are an absolute crock. Apart from those made from wood waste.

**steve_t** · 27th December 2009, 17:27

I keep Gull Force 10 in normal fuel containers for up to several months. It's fine. It's supposed to absorb water from the air so u don't really want to store it for extended periods of time but it seems fine to me. My bike also runs sweet as on the stuff. The biofuel argument is a little different in NZ cos we don't use crops to make ethanol. It's supposedly a byproduct of NZ dairy industry. Well, that's what the Gull website said last time I checked

**p.dath** · 27th December 2009, 18:58

http://www.gull.co.nz/public/view_pa...Cat=6&SubCat=9
The 10 per cent of bioethanol in Gull Force 10 and Gull Regular Plus is a renewable fuel. This is, it’s made right here in New Zealand and is a natural by-product of the dairy industry’s activity.

**slofox** · 28th December 2009, 05:49

Originally Posted by p.dath

http://www.gull.co.nz/public/view_pa...Cat=6&SubCat=9
The 10 per cent of bioethanol in Gull Force 10 and Gull Regular Plus is a renewable fuel. This is, it’s made right here in New Zealand and is a natural by-product of the dairy industry’s activity.

Wot 'e said. Gull use whey alcohol. If they start using up arable land to produce the ethanol, then I will reconsider my choices, Hitcher. I take your point about ethanol production though. One of the reasons Emersons no longer produce their fabulous American Pale Ale is due to the cost of American hops - very expensive, supposedly because the 'merikan gummint paid hop growers to rip out the hops and plant maize for ethanol production instead...I mean ta say, priorities, right? Who'd swap Emersons APA for friggin fuel? You'd hafta be a fuel to do that...

Incidentally, Gordon's Gin in New Zealand uses the same alcohol..."local neutral spirit" it says on the back label...guess if it comes from milk it must be HEALTHY!

**Toaster** · 12th February 2010, 12:15

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Don't buy ethanol blend. It's environmental vandalism. It takes more energy to manufacture than "normal" petrol. It also forces marginal land into production and drives up food prices. Biofuels are an absolute crock. Apart from those made from wood waste.

It was mentioned last night at the Kapiti ride that this ethanol mix fuel sold by Gull and Mobil are bad for "gunking" up the injectors. Does anyone have any verified reports on this eitherway?

**slofox** · 12th February 2010, 12:19

Originally Posted by Toaster

It was mentioned last night at the Kapiti ride that this ethanol mix fuel sold by Gull and Mobil are bad for "gunking" up the injectors. Does anyone have any verified reports on this eitherway?

I'm close to 40,000km on this fuel...yet to miss a beat. Frankly, that sounds like oil company propaganda to me...

**MIXONE** · 12th February 2010, 12:30

Originally Posted by Toaster

It was mentioned last night at the Kapiti ride that this ethanol mix fuel sold by Gull and Mobil are bad for "gunking" up the injectors. Does anyone have any verified reports on this eitherway?

I wont go near the stuff.Two oldish cars and an old bike all played up on it.