Ethanol - A "new" issue to look for... - Page 5

ZkatFL96 · 10-27-2010, 10:52 PM

Having idle/lack of power issues while driving after filling up my tank last night for the first time since i got this bike. It actually was pretty scary today for me riding. I was driving and it started to lose power even while i was increasing the throttle, i thought maybe im in to high of a gear as i was only doing about 35mph. I down shift and at that point it had completely died out and caused the rear tire to lock up which lead to me fish tailing and nearly going down. I know it had to be the new gas because it happened last night as well right after the fill up but i just clutched it and rolled to a stop, let the bike sit for a few minutes rode it home and that was that.

My idle was perfect before, i mean as perfect as i've ever had anything idle. Now i cant even get the freaking thing to stay on without holding the throttle. I am going to mess around with it tomorrow when i've got daylight and won't annoy the neighborhood with my loud exhaust.

I have been down once before and after today i am kind of scared. I feel like i could have been seriously hurt if that had happened on the turnpike. I want to ride so bad and im going to continue to keep doing so on a daily basis but this just blows. I feel like ive just bought a rodeo bull for a second vehicle, i just hope that i dont catch a horn.

katanarider · 10-28-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreylyn

It's certainly possible that the vehicles can run 100% ethanol that are designed for it.

It's been mentioned serveral times in this thread about "brazil" and the ability of cars there to run on it... and they do, and have for the last 30 years. With vehichles DESIGNED to do that.

US cars were not.

US vehicles thus have issues using the ethanol.... except the few that have recently been made specifically as "flex fuel" vehicles, or have had after market conversions added.

I don't know of a flex fuel US sold motorcycle at this time... some one got a link?

Krey

Where Katanas offer in Brazil that were designed to run off of Ethanol ?
If so, what are the differences ? I was just wondering if this will lead us here in the U.S.A searching for Brazilian parts to counter the effects.

Also Krey, I'm thinking since your in the mountains that your having bigger issues than alot of us. I know when it rains here my bike runs like crap. As you said, the Ethanol seems to be attracting the moisture.
Are you still running the California carbs? Could that be another factor?

Heres the link to a American built Ethanol bike. I'm surprised you didn't know about this one. I thought all bikers watched American Chopper on Discovery channel

http://www.ocamericanchopper.com/Iow...0Bike%201.html

Bart · 12-25-2010, 08:26 PM

BUMP!!!

This subject is almost wothy of sticky status IMHO. I've been developing problems with mine, just like this. Except that I have zero mechanical skills and haven't yet dared do anything more complicated than an oil change. Messing with carbs will only be done either (A) if someone walks me through it, or (B) the Kat fully breaks, collects dust for a while and I have nothing else to lose.

The problems started Oct 29 '10 (I remember the date b/c I was en route to a halloween party), was coming to a stop and WHAM-WHAM-WHAM sounded like I had a fist-sized wooden block bouncing in the fairings between my knees. After that I've had a slowly increasing problem with startups, throttle hesitation and general roughness esp idle/low speeds. Yes I can still hit triple digits plus, but the power's draining.

Am I doing the bike a small favor by riding constantly (never ever sits more than one week at most) to help keep stuff from goo-ing up? Any more results regarding products/ideas to help this?

KAT TOY · 12-25-2010, 09:40 PM

Stabil Marine is a fuel additive for E10 in carbed engines. got mine at walmart.

scottynoface · 12-26-2010, 10:43 AM

Stabil marine is always in my tank.

DClark · 12-26-2010, 02:20 PM

I have seen a "new" product called Stabil ethanol (I think it said 'e10', don't remember) that appears to be Stabil Marine in a different package, might be worth trying if it is cheaper than Stabil Marine.
I have been using Starton which is the same price as Stabil, but includes a neat little booklet explaining how it has enzymes in it that do miraculous things for your fuel and motor (sarcasim intended).
I will say that my bike has been running pretty darn good since I have started using these products (including a couple of ounces of Berryman's with each tank).It has warmed up to 36 degrees today, I'll take her out to do some errands.

loudnlow7484 · 12-26-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart

The problems started Oct 29 '10 (I remember the date b/c I was en route to a halloween party), was coming to a stop and WHAM-WHAM-WHAM sounded like I had a fist-sized wooden block bouncing in the fairings between my knees.

And you're blaming your gas for this? That sounds a bit more serious than gummy carbs.

Bart · 12-26-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loudnlow7484

And you're blaming your gas for this? That sounds a bit more serious than gummy carbs.

Thx for noticing. I've posted this same situation here and on another forum, and seems everyone's stumped. Really thought I'd totalled the bike then, but had no choice but to continue riding. She made it to where I was going, then back, then... OK I'm an addict, the Kat's my drug of choice and I've just kept using.

I didn't know what to think. Since then every "problem" seemed to point to either a bad air filter, fuel filter or a carb problem. Heard about the ethanol issue on a site for Houston riders. Re-checked it here and it seems to fit to a T. Combine the hydroscopic (sp.?) qualities with our very high humidity and the roller-coaster temperatures we've been having and carb.'ed bikes are dropping out of commission left and right around here.

kevin2502000 · 12-26-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bart

Thx for noticing. I've posted this same situation here and on another forum, and seems everyone's stumped. Really thought I'd totalled the bike then, but had no choice but to continue riding. She made it to where I was going, then back, then... OK I'm an addict, the Kat's my drug of choice and I've just kept using.

I didn't know what to think. Since then every "problem" seemed to point to either a bad air filter, fuel filter or a carb problem. Heard about the ethanol issue on a site for Houston riders. Re-checked it here and it seems to fit to a T. Combine the hydroscopic (sp.?) qualities with our very high humidity and the roller-coaster temperatures we've been having and carb.'ed bikes are dropping out of commission left and right around here.

Could b missing back-firing, that can sound like bangs when it does fire.

DClark · 12-26-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin2502000

Could b missing back-firing, that can sound like bangs when it does fire.

My bike would pop real loud when the pilots were e10 clogging. One more thing about ethanol:
We all know out bikes came from the factory set to run real lean, ethanol really pushes it. I live at 5,000 alt. I used to use jets a step leaner than what was recomended for bikes at sea level because hey, I live at high alt. Well, my bike now needs those sea level spec'd jets at my 5000' alt to run best. If e15 becomes the main fuel available here, I'll have to find some even bigger mains to run right. I still have yet to see something close to my best of 44mpg (I get 38-39mpg).

12-25-2010, 08:26 PM	#43
Bart Katrider Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston TX Posts: 237 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: dude_illin_gent	BUMP!!! This subject is almost wothy of sticky status IMHO. I've been developing problems with mine, just like this. Except that I have zero mechanical skills and haven't yet dared do anything more complicated than an oil change. Messing with carbs will only be done either (A) if someone walks me through it, or (B) the Kat fully breaks, collects dust for a while and I have nothing else to lose. The problems started Oct 29 '10 (I remember the date b/c I was en route to a halloween party), was coming to a stop and WHAM-WHAM-WHAM sounded like I had a fist-sized wooden block bouncing in the fairings between my knees. After that I've had a slowly increasing problem with startups, throttle hesitation and general roughness esp idle/low speeds. Yes I can still hit triple digits plus, but the power's draining. Am I doing the bike a small favor by riding constantly (never ever sits more than one week at most) to help keep stuff from goo-ing up? Any more results regarding products/ideas to help this? __________________ The meaning of life is that life is meant to be lived

12-25-2010, 09:40 PM	#44
KAT TOY Kat Legend Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Athens,Ga. Posts: 4,342 iTrader: (2) My Garage eBay ID: jhurst	Stabil Marine is a fuel additive for E10 in carbed engines. got mine at walmart. __________________ never sleep with anyone crazier than yourself

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10-27-2010, 10:52 PM	#41
ZkatFL96 Rookie Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Palm Beach, FL Posts: 74 iTrader: (0) My Garage eBay ID: Zski9071	Having idle/lack of power issues while driving after filling up my tank last night for the first time since i got this bike. It actually was pretty scary today for me riding. I was driving and it started to lose power even while i was increasing the throttle, i thought maybe im in to high of a gear as i was only doing about 35mph. I down shift and at that point it had completely died out and caused the rear tire to lock up which lead to me fish tailing and nearly going down. I know it had to be the new gas because it happened last night as well right after the fill up but i just clutched it and rolled to a stop, let the bike sit for a few minutes rode it home and that was that. My idle was perfect before, i mean as perfect as i've ever had anything idle. Now i cant even get the freaking thing to stay on without holding the throttle. I am going to mess around with it tomorrow when i've got daylight and won't annoy the neighborhood with my loud exhaust. I have been down once before and after today i am kind of scared. I feel like i could have been seriously hurt if that had happened on the turnpike. I want to ride so bad and im going to continue to keep doing so on a daily basis but this just blows. I feel like ive just bought a rodeo bull for a second vehicle, i just hope that i dont catch a horn.

12-26-2010, 02:20 PM	#46
DClark Kat Daddy Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,201 iTrader: (0) My Garage	I have seen a "new" product called Stabil ethanol (I think it said 'e10', don't remember) that appears to be Stabil Marine in a different package, might be worth trying if it is cheaper than Stabil Marine. I have been using Starton which is the same price as Stabil, but includes a neat little booklet explaining how it has enzymes in it that do miraculous things for your fuel and motor (sarcasim intended). I will say that my bike has been running pretty darn good since I have started using these products (including a couple of ounces of Berryman's with each tank).It has warmed up to 36 degrees today, I'll take her out to do some errands.