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Petrol Life In Vehicle Tanks


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#1 mab01uk

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Posted 17 January 2020 - 09:24 AM

BP - HOW PETROL CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT TANKS

"Loss of light components – impact on mixture The light components in petrol are lost first as the petrol sits in the fuel tanks. These components provide valuable octane benefits during cold start. Because they are volatile they compose most of the air fuel mixture during cold start, if they are absent then the mixture becomes lean resulting in higher temperatures, pre ignition, detonation and piston damage. This is generally the cause of piston damage in high revving engines used in boats and small engines such as chain saws etc. The portion of the petrol that remains has a higher density and higher octane but this is not available during cold start resulting in hard starting. Because the fuel carburetors and injectors operate on a volume metering system the higher density means that more fuel is introduced for a given volume of air and so the air fuel ratio is fuel rich. If all the fuel cannot be burnt then it forms carbon deposits that will foul the spark plug and cause the engine to stop and not start. This is generally the cause of problems in classic cars where the engine stumbles and hesitates or cuts out."

More:-

https://www.bp.com/c...hicle-tanks.pdf


Edited by mab01uk, 17 January 2020 - 09:25 AM.


#2 r3k1355

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Posted 17 January 2020 - 11:21 AM

Also worth noting that the Ethanol blend we use now doesn't keep as well as old fuel, you can buy additives to put in the fuel if you're looking to store the car over the winter period.



#3 mab01uk

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Posted 17 January 2020 - 12:43 PM

Some on the Mk1 Forum use "Fuel Fit" from Briggs & Stratton (on ebay/amazon for about £6 ).

https://www.amazon.c...268904997&psc=1

 

 



#4 unburntfuelinthemorning

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Posted 17 January 2020 - 12:43 PM

One part of that BP article says under the heading "MAINTAINING FUEL IN EQUIPMENT TANKS" to "Always keep the tank half full to stop water vapour from being sucked in and condensing."  I think the advice has changed now when fuels contaning ethanol are used as with the ethanol being hygroscopic you're best leaving only a small amount in the tank.  Anyone else heard this advice?

 



#5 g0myw

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Posted 17 January 2020 - 01:57 PM

there seems to be conflicting advice to confuse us all.
the biking community [who tend to lay-up bikes for the winter] suggest.
a. fill to the brim to prevent tank corrosion . (reduces condensation)

or .

b. fully drain the whole system dry.
and yes there are plenty of additives to help the long term storage of fuel in tanks.

In my own case I make an effort to use the mini & bike(s) on a regular basis - if nothing else its fun.!


Edited by g0myw, 17 January 2020 - 01:58 PM.


#6 r3k1355

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Posted 20 January 2020 - 11:37 AM

Some on the Mk1 Forum use "Fuel Fit" from Briggs & Stratton (on ebay/amazon for about £6 ).

https://www.amazon.c...268904997&psc=1

 

Yea, there's also STA-BIL which works well.






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