Fuel tank winter condensation ethanol etc..

[A100man]

I've been think about this and the fact that many people encourage use of no-ethanol fuel over winter. BUT if ethanol absorbs water(condensation) isn't that a good thing - rather than let it sit at the bottom of a tank.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Teflon-Mike]

Water doesn't make things rust. Rust is iron oxide; so its the oxygen that makes it rust.
The water is essentially just a catalyst; so it's is not so crucial, and as far as the rates of reaction are concerned, other factors such as temperature, concentration and 'agitation' start to become more significant.
In short, I don't think it makes a heck of a lot of odds!
Unless the tank is fibre-glass.... in which case I believe you are best advised to drain for ANY lay-up longer than over-night to avoid the alcohol turning the resin to jelly!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Copycat73]

i`ve filled a 20l can with super unleaded for topin -up over the winter ..largely due to the fact that there is less ethanol content..
i keep the tanks brimmed at all times to minimise evaporation and condensation ingress.. there will be a minimal loss of additives over time from standing fuel .. though not much... the added octane will aid cold starting aswell .. but the winter mix of fuel has additives in to help this anyway....

i can feel a Tef.. incomin..
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Ethanol absorbs water and in doing so it separates from petrol, so with a static bike you end up with an ethanol-water mix pooling at the bottom of the tank. In normal use it will be stirred up and dispersed throughout the tank so has much less opportunity to cause corrosion, nor to be drawn in bulk through carbs/FI.

Without ethanol you've still got the possibility of water ingress due to condensation. (Hence brim the tank to minimise the air gap.) Water will still fall to the bottom but the fuel isn't actively drawing it in.

[Courier265]

[Copycat73]

[Polarbear]

The diesel bug is quite prevalent in boats when water is present in the tank. I've never heard of it happening in cars though. Same for petrol engines, I've never heard of it being a problem.

Maybe because the fuel turnover is so high and 'sloshing' happens continuously, any water gets taken with the fuel and doesn't settle in the tank.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ScaredyCat]

[A100man]

Hmm. Thanks. Topping up tank to minimise air/condensation possibilities makes sense. I do still feel there's a degree of 'pop' science based angst regards ethanol for rotting out tanks..
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[MCN]

Just brim the tank.
If there is no space for air to get in then atmospheric moisture will be 'practically' eliminated.
If you are laying a fuel tank up for longer than several months then more aggressive methods are required where VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are added to fresh fuel and all tank openings sealed.

If short term storage (over winter) then add some fuel conditioner and get on with your life.

'Never Sweat Little Stuff.'
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Suntan Sid]

I left a 20L Jerry can with 10L of 95 unleaded in the open air for 4 years, there was no rust inside the can, after 4 years.
I put the 10L of 4 year old unleaded into a, nearly empty, Rav 4, it ran just fine, with no problems!
Make of that what you will!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Copycat73]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Paulf]

Sorry for the question but do we have ethanol in our petrol. I am on a USA forum and they are paranoid about fuel especially over the winter when they don't ride their bikes. And I do up bike as a hobby and never come across a gunge or poor starting. The bike I doing up at the moment as fuel in that is at least a year old. And it runs ok. Just asking is it really a problem in UK.
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Past bikes simsom mofa 1s, suzuki hustler 250 (£35 in 1973), suzuki ts125k, mz150, yamaha yb 100, honda pc50, honda vision 50, all 2 stroke - then cars - honda pcx 125 (sold) own honda fes 125 and Mrs 125 spares or repairs. Started 1972 all accidents walked away no insurAnce claims

[A100man]

[MCN]

[Pete.]

[stinkwheel]

[Copycat73]

[stinkwheel]

[Monkeypony]

If laying a bike up for the winter, Aspen fuel.

Won't rot seals. Zero Ethanol. Non hygroscopic, so won't got 'off' and won't promote rust.

Not the cheapest solution, but if you have classic bikes, very worth it.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[Copycat73]

[stinkwheel]

[iooi]

Personal experience.

My Versys has sat in the garage for 2 years and has less that 1/4 tank of fuel. Still starts and runs fine, once battery is charged.

Tank still fine inside.

Previous to that I had a diversion, that sat in the garage for 3 years. Still started fine.... Just a shame the clutch would not disengage...
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......