Swollen tank cured.

Dukesox

Dukesox

Elite Member
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A couple of years ago i was nearly out of fuel and had to use E10. Aas well as giving very much worse mpg i believe it caused the plastic tank on my monster to swell. I'd already had the bike 4 years and never had a problem before so am presuming the problem was E10.
Anyway, the winter before last i took the tank off and left it in the garage as i had been told that being left that way in the cold would shrink it. I think it helped but maybe just by .05ml.
Last winter i took it off again but this time kept it in the airing cupboard so toasty warm and much improved results with i would say shrinkage of between 2-3ml. If i could find anything to measure with i would but see below. Previously the tank latch was touching the ignition surround but now back how it used to be with plenty of space.
 

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It will never shrink in a cold garage as it's moisture that swells the hygroscopic polymer - a warm dry atmosphere with the cap off has always been the solution as you have now found out. Who said put it in a cold garage 😮
 
Ah, yes they won't swim so well.
Hope your using Motorex Ethanol Stabiliser too 👀
 
Exige said:
Ah, yes they won't swim so well.
Hope your using Motorex Ethanol Stabiliser too 👀
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No but next week I'll be buying some 5*: equivalent fuel from a local lawn mower repair shop. Recommended for classic cars & bikes. I'll slip a little in each time i refuel and make sure that over the winter when the bike is off the road that it has only 5* in.
 
Dukesox said:
No but next week I'll be buying some 5*: equivalent fuel from a local lawn mower repair shop. Recommended for classic cars & bikes. I'll slip a little in each time i refuel and make sure that over the winter when the bike is off the road that it has only 5* in.
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Always best to empty it totally really - get a petrol can to empty it into at the end of the year :unsure:
 
Dukesox said:
Gonna need a bigger coat
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Back on topic, even E5 will cause issues, it's caused problems with my old Efco strimmer and 2 stroke mixing bottle. I now drain the strimmer and run it dry unless I know I'll be using it the next day. The mixing bottle has deformed but not a problem in reality.

I've never bought E10 for the garden tools. First thing I noticed was the fuel filler cap retainer (which sits in the tank) went soft and fell out of the cap - no biggie but this wasn't long after E5 was introduced.
 
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