Well, I just never seem to stop creating problems for myself.. Accidentally put some kerosene in my tank..probably about a cup and a half before I realized it didn't smell right. Went ahead and filled the tank with regular gas thinking it would dilute it but the bike still ran rough and periodically I'd hear a snapping sound from the engine.... I siphoned out the tank and put fresh gas in. Ran it long enough to burn out what was left in the fuel filter but still runs the same, with this snapping sound. I think the kerosene is heavier than gas and sat on the bottom of the tank, giving the combustion chamber a full gulp of kerosene and possibly fouling one of the plugs - what do you think?
Well for one, you’re really brave to admit that in public! Is it carbs or efi If you’ve emptied the tank out fully put some cleaning additive, someone will recommend a good one, in gallon or less of fuel and run it like that for a while. Take your plugs out and look
Run SeaFoam through it. It should clean out all your fuel system. I doubt you’ll have done any damage, after all kerosene is an oil
Think of kerosene, paraffin, heating oil etc., as half way between petrol (gas) and diesel (derv) It is much less volatile (about 140 degree F difference in flash points) so needs a wick to vapourise and burn......unless you pressurise it in a jet turbine.......It doesn’t atomise like petrol in a carb or injector. It will self clean but spit and knock a bit - maintain the dilution. Everything is happening in the combustion chamber but don’t make a habit of it! Major knocking and carbon build up would be an issue.
if you wanted more heat out of your bike , Stick with heated grips . As already mentioned check the plugs, Its so easily done from containers of fuel . It shows the importance of marking cans with what fuel is in it .
Crispey, you have no idea the dumb shit I've done that I wouldn't admit to anyone - but this is Motorcycling (cue the angelic chorus) so I MUST confess my sins at this Holy altar! This is EFI. Bloody Hell - how I loath taking this bike apart AGAIN!! Meanwhile here in hot and humid Florida we're having wonderful, cool storm clouds moving thru - my favorite summer time to ride - and I'm missing it!
Yes, and I thought the Speedy would have handled this Snake Bite elixir better than it did - temperamental little cunt!
I used to be a jet and helicopter mechanic so have a nose for Kerosene type fuels. I keep it around for cleaning parts and my turbine heater. If I hadn't have smelled the mistake when I did this would have been a bigger mess. I usually keep these separate and have the gas cans marked, but things got shuffled and the Kerosene ended up in the wrong place...
I can recommend silkolene pro fst had condensation in the fuel system on a fireblade ran like a pig. put a bottle of this through it ran perfect after.
I'm in the USA so Silkolene is not readily available. On their website the only dealer is in Texas, about 1000 miles away.
I've got a supply of Seafoam on the shelf here but it seems these treatments aren't the right prescription for the problem...Seems it would need something hotter, more volatile, to burn this stuff up..but I don't know what it would be and don't want to damage the plastic tank...
OK, we'll see what happens. Just replaced the valve cover gasket so not thrilled about taking this apart again to check the plugs. I'll just put the body work on it, go for a ride and see how she does.
Try a cup of metholated spirits or similar, give the bike/tank a good shake, it burns at lower temperatures and should mix the three fuels up into a Blend ?? I know it combines petroleum and water if you get water condensation or contamination in your tank....
Just a quick update - fresh non-ethanol fuel, an ounce of Lucas and the bike is back to running like normal - what a relief!
Same here. I've been using Seafoam but otherwise try to stay away from using potions, elixirs, miracle cures and snake oil to make things run better...although I must confess an affection for Marvel Mystery Oil which is excellent for removing oxidation from aluminum and cleaning up combustion chambers on some applications.
I don't think the kerosene is the problem . Having done the same with diesel and carried out the same routine as you all was good . It ran a bit smokey for a few seconds and has been good since . Kerosene is a light oil so I think it shouldn't do any harm .
