Could ethanol blend be better for winter storage??

Bill Hilly · 12-28-2022, 11:22 AM

We went from unseasonably cold weather to unseasonably mild in just the past couple of days, and I intend to do a little riding. I want to top off the gas on my bikes, and add Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer before the next cold stretch, and I have been wondering if ethanol blend may be better, because it absorbs water, and with non ethanol water would sit in the bottom of the tank, and carb. It may not matter, but I was just curious. Thanks.

**JerryHawk250** · 12-28-2022, 11:44 AM

When ethanol absorbs water it will turn to gel. You want to avoid use ethanol fuel.

TominMO · 12-28-2022, 11:50 AM

I use only premium gas in my bikes and lawn mowers, to avoid the ethanol in regular. Missouri has ethanol-free premium, as does Montana.

**JerryHawk250** · 12-28-2022, 11:57 AM

Here our ethanol free fuel is regular and is roughly 50 cent more a gallon than regular with ethanol.

Texas Pete · 12-28-2022, 12:50 PM

I don't have a metal fuel tank so I am less worried about water, but corn jello setting up in the fuel tank isn't fun. My closest ethanol-free station is of all places Buc-Es. Never been there, and not all of them sell E0. It is far enough away I could not make it my new gas station, and the price they charge is 9% more than locally for corn glue fuel. But if I was winterizing a metal tank bike I'd make the effort to go get some E0 from them as buying it in a tin can at a store is extremely costly.

For now I put up with Sta-bil ethanol treatment and corn glue fuel in winter which I mix in a 5 gallon metal jerry can. Right now the price per gallon of Sta-bil treatment used in the 32 oz bottle and the price per gallon of Buc-Es E0 over a gallon over the local corn glue fuel gallon price is identical, so for me it is currently a wash.

Gas Buddy is predicting Gas Prices to rise up to a national average of $4.36 next year, peaking by the end of summer. So I might be trying Buc-Es E0 if by then the difference in per gallon cost is higher than Sta-bil treating local E10.

Search tool I used:

https://www.pure-gas.org/

Bill Hilly · 12-28-2022, 12:53 PM

Our ethanol free gas is 90 octane, and is usually about $1.00 more than regular 87 octane at the pump. I just got back in the door from filling up with the 90 octane ethanol free, and treating the TBR7. I may take another down later, and do the same. It's still pretty cold on the legs at 55 mph, but not too bad. At least the riding coat is comfortable. I have the matching pants, but never wear them.

clash 168cc · 12-28-2022, 01:07 PM

I never worry about ethanol in single cylinder mowers and pressure washers because they are so easy to empty the bowl on the carb or clean the carb. I would never use ethanol in my zero turn twin cylinder mowers, boats or my scooter. You are asking for trouble if you do.

McQueen216 · 12-28-2022, 01:55 PM

Winter storage? I try to ride my bikes every day and feel guilty if I don’t.

Megadan · 12-28-2022, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McQueen216

Winter storage? I try to ride my bikes every day and feel guilty if I don’t.

Some of us live where the air hurts you in the winter time, and stuff is covered in ice.

Bill Hilly · 12-28-2022, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Some of us live where the air hurts you in the winter time, and stuff is covered in ice.

It was close to zero, both day, and night here in West Virginia for several days, but hit close to 50 today, and is climbing. It's going to be back in the 60s later this week, and the woman claims close to 70 next week. I couldn't resist putting the TBR7 plate on my new purple 2016 Hawk, and going for a good little ride. I went down to a small lake, and it was almost thawed. It won't have any ice on it tomorrow.http://

image uploading site The bike runs great, and the carb seems in good tune. The gearing must be stock, because it is geared really low. The knobby tires handle fine, but braking is not as good with them as the 50/50 tires. I have a bad habit of using my rear by itself at low speeds, and I found out that the knobby tires will skid easier.

McQueen216 · 12-28-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Some of us live where the air hurts you in the winter time, and stuff is covered in ice.

Oh, no! Dexter locked you in the walk-in freezer! You have to get out of there!

Megadan · 12-28-2022, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McQueen216

Oh, no! Dexter locked you in the walk-in freezer! You have to get out of there!

A freezer wishes it could get so cold.

12-28-2022, 11:22 AM	#1
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 948	Could ethanol blend be better for winter storage?? We went from unseasonably cold weather to unseasonably mild in just the past couple of days, and I intend to do a little riding. I want to top off the gas on my bikes, and add Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer before the next cold stretch, and I have been wondering if ethanol blend may be better, because it absorbs water, and with non ethanol water would sit in the bottom of the tank, and carb. It may not matter, but I was just curious. Thanks.
	0

12-28-2022, 11:44 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,574	When ethanol absorbs water it will turn to gel. You want to avoid use ethanol fuel. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	2

12-28-2022, 11:50 AM	#3
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 1,875	I use only premium gas in my bikes and lawn mowers, to avoid the ethanol in regular. Missouri has ethanol-free premium, as does Montana. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	1

12-28-2022, 11:57 AM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,574	Here our ethanol free fuel is regular and is roughly 50 cent more a gallon than regular with ethanol. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

12-28-2022, 12:50 PM	#5
Texas Pete Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 578	I don't have a metal fuel tank so I am less worried about water, but corn jello setting up in the fuel tank isn't fun. My closest ethanol-free station is of all places Buc-Es. Never been there, and not all of them sell E0. It is far enough away I could not make it my new gas station, and the price they charge is 9% more than locally for corn glue fuel. But if I was winterizing a metal tank bike I'd make the effort to go get some E0 from them as buying it in a tin can at a store is extremely costly. For now I put up with Sta-bil ethanol treatment and corn glue fuel in winter which I mix in a 5 gallon metal jerry can. Right now the price per gallon of Sta-bil treatment used in the 32 oz bottle and the price per gallon of Buc-Es E0 over a gallon over the local corn glue fuel gallon price is identical, so for me it is currently a wash. Gas Buddy is predicting Gas Prices to rise up to a national average of $4.36 next year, peaking by the end of summer. So I might be trying Buc-Es E0 if by then the difference in per gallon cost is higher than Sta-bil treating local E10. Search tool I used: https://www.pure-gas.org/ __________________ 2022 1/2 Templar X 250 - 6 gear model - 13 Front / 40 Rear Sprockets - #42 / #120 Jets - 1mm thick nitrile O-ring needle shim (removed) - Kenda K761 Dual Sport Tires - Sedona Standard Thickness Inner Tubes - Stock OEM battery, carburetor, spark plug still going strong - https://youtu.be/dhAYEKH-jFQ Texas Pete's Templar X 250 Torque Specifications Sheet Texas Pete's Engine Displacement Calculator Texas Pete's Tire and Rim Compatibility
	1

12-28-2022, 12:53 PM	#6
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 948	Our ethanol free gas is 90 octane, and is usually about $1.00 more than regular 87 octane at the pump. I just got back in the door from filling up with the 90 octane ethanol free, and treating the TBR7. I may take another down later, and do the same. It's still pretty cold on the legs at 55 mph, but not too bad. At least the riding coat is comfortable. I have the matching pants, but never wear them.
	1

12-28-2022, 01:07 PM	#7
clash 168cc Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 94	I never worry about ethanol in single cylinder mowers and pressure washers because they are so easy to empty the bowl on the carb or clean the carb. I would never use ethanol in my zero turn twin cylinder mowers, boats or my scooter. You are asking for trouble if you do.
	2

12-28-2022, 01:55 PM	#8
McQueen216 Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 217	Winter storage? I try to ride my bikes every day and feel guilty if I don’t.
	3