[doctor daniel]

Hi all

Me and my dad was outside with the motobike, we got it the shed because it had not been started for a few weeks. So it struggled to start, our neighbour happen to me outside at the time so he came up to us and said the petrol might be flat. Didn't really thing about it at the time but now i starting thinking about it, is this true can petrol go flat?.

doctor daniel

[smudger]

I have never hears of that, but it is quite possible for condensation to occur while the bike was in a shed for long periods without being used, with the temperature rising and falling a lot.
Cheers, Smudger.

[doctor daniel]

thanks for that reply

[Rolebama]

When I worked on motorcycles, it was not unusual for fuel problems on new Japanese bikes. This was because they were fuelled and ran in Japan, then spent whatever time on ships coming to UK. The petrol would evaporate, leaving a vaseline-like gel in the carbs, blocking jets and needle valves etc. Now with the various additives, I can only imagine the type of gunk it leaves behind when the petrol itself evaporates. So, in short, you will have problems with carbs on a bike that's been left standing for a length of time.

[doctor daniel]

could petrol or diesel go flat in a car or in a can?.

thanks
doctor daniel

[saloon drifter]

In the instruction manual for my petrol lawn mower it says never to leave it for long periods of time without running it out of fuel, as unleaded petrol will go off after a period of time. But doesn't say how long.

[Rolebama]

I have never heard of a problem with diesel, and when I worked as a Plant Fitter, I sometimes left some for months, and never had a problem with it. (Our red diesel tank would last over a year). As to petrol, I have known of problems after as little as a month or so. A sort of vaseliney-type gel/clag seems to form. With leaded 4* it used to take months for this clag to form, so my guess is that it is something to do with additives in unleaded. I carry a can, but use it and refill it every month to be on the safe side.

[doctor daniel]

i guess we won't be able to have a shed load of petrol and diesel when the worlds oil reserve runs dry.

doctor daniel

[smudger]

While we are on about petrol, why is it we are still paying
between 80-90p a Ltr for it, when the cost of a barrel of oil is so low just now?
Last time the price of a barrel was as low as this, we were paying around 80p a Gallon:confused:

[Rolebama]

Smudger879n, I believe that the Govt has increased fuel duty to offset the loss caused by reducing VAT to 15%.

[doctor daniel]

problem with this country is the tax's the goverment is tax mad all goverments in this country they take our money and we see nothing roads are still as bad as ever.

[Watcher]

Petrol going flat? Ha! He's either confusing it with beer or winding you up! ;-)

[doctor daniel]

Why do you think he was winding us up, watcher

doctor daniel

[Watcher]

Flat petrol?

Originally Posted by doctor daniel

Why do you think he was winding us up, watcher

doctor daniel

Der, cos it isn't fizzy in the first place - flat petrol falls squarely in the same box as left-handed spanners and long weights!:cool:

[wagolynn]

Petrol price: Part of the problem is oil is traded in dollars and the pound has fallen relative to the dollar.
Petrol will go ‘off’ unless it is kept airtight and it will need stirring from time to time otherwise the various additive may well separate.

[smudger]

On the subject of petrol, as most people fill their calls by the cash amount,=£10-£20 and son on, why don't they set the pumps so that they cut off when the pre set amount has gone in?
As some of these pumps are really hard to stop bang on a price:rolleyes:
Cheers, Smudger.

[Rolebama]

I know of a late night petrol station where they do just this. You have to pay the cashier before they will turn the pump on. When you reach the amount paid, the pump stops. (Texaco on Oxford Road, Denham). I have been told it was done to stop the 'driveaways'.

[doctor daniel]

i notice petrol and diesel has passed the pound a litre barrier again.

[Bikerbill]

Originally Posted by smudger879n

While we are on about petrol, why is it we are still paying
between 80-90p a Ltr for it, when the cost of a barrel of oil is so low just now?
Last time the price of a barrel was as low as this, we were paying around 80p a Gallon:confused:

The joy's of living in rip off Britain;)

As for the bike not starting, How long had the bike been sitting beforehand? The petrol won't go off as the vapour will still ignite. However, the jets can get bunged through time as stated by others. Also the needle valves might be stuck in the closed position stopping the fuel getting into the float chamber. Take the plugs out and give them a clean, give the carbs a gentle tap with the handle of a screwdriver to jarr the needle valves free.