Fuel life

[Doug G]

How long can you expect fuel to retain it's 'punch' if laid up eg (for you folks in the UK Autumn to Spring) or us in thetropics in a hot garage awaiting time, energy and inclination to fix the Moke?



RE the 'energy and inclination' I am reminded of the story of the Mexican trying to explain the meaning of 'mañana' to a fellow countryman of mine.

After quite a while, the fellow countryman of mine said " Mon, I understand what you trying to say you know, but here in the islands we don't need a word with that sense of urgency.

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

I've never had any trouble even when it's been parked up for 6 months or so

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

But that IS here after all........... Sun/warm. What's that ?

[Robin Jones]

During the winter months, August till June I use a fuel stabilizer called Sta-Bil. Even with that, it takes a couple of fill ups before the car/lawn tractor/weed whacker starts running right. The newer fuels are crap and they start to varnish up quickly.
There seems to be two schools of thought;
Using a fuel stabilizer with the tank full & living with the breakdown of the fuel....
Emptying the tank & fuel system for storage.... and living with the corrosion caused by condensation...

[Doug G]

During the winter months, August till June I use a fuel stabilizer called Sta-Bil. Even with that, it takes a couple of fill ups before the car/lawn tractor/weed whacker starts running right. The newer fuels are crap and they start to varnish up quickly.
There seems to be two schools of thought;
Using a fuel stabilizer with the tank full & living with the breakdown of the fuel....
Emptying the tank & fuel system for storage.... and living with the corrosion caused by condensation...

'living with the corrosion' isn't that normal state of affairs with a Mini Moke? IE SNAFU ?

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

Ah! But not inside the tank, that's usually full of fuel and protected

[PJ]

.

[grantourer]

With you there PJ. Mokes are great fun in the snow!

[janz]

Totally agree PJ / Graham, Mind you, I'm talking to a company - looking at making Mk1 fuek tanks in Stainless. Not sure if BIO ethanol is a problem in DougG's corner of the world. We have 5% in petrol at presnet and will go to 10% next year. Ethanol is Hygroscopic and will pull in condenstaion if tank not full to the brim

On the other hand, if fuel quality is the real issue.... English Mokes are detuned etc for low grade fuels - 89 Octone I believe - Mine runs fine whatever goes in

[Nigel(no top)Sykes]

Put 1/2 of 2stroke in the African by mistake the other week ...... That made it splutter a bit

[janz]

Great laugh with all that blue smoking billowing out the back though - especially around town

[Doug G]

My Moke's engine seems to be doing fine. I use Castrol oil.

[janz]

It runs on oil Has your Moke come back with a diesel conversion?

[Doug G]

Not sure if BIO ethanol is a problem in DougG's corner of the world. We have 5% in petrol at presnet and will go to 10% next year. Ethanol is Hygroscopic and will pull in condenstaion if tank not full to the brim

Nope, no BIO ethanol on this island.

[Robin Jones]

Great laugh with all that blue smoking billowing out the back though - especially around town

You should see the smoke screen after this procedure:
1.) Coworker leaves his car at work and "borrows" the company car for vacation
2.) Owner of company is not happy....
3.) Drill a hole in the exhaust just past the header & thread in a grease fitting
4.) Pump that poor thing full of grease
5.) Coworker returns from vacation, starts the car and gets about a half mile before disappearing behind a cloud of smoke.

He actually pulled over on the freeway because he thought his engine had "done blowed up".