Triumph plastic tanks and ethanol: issues?

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by GuzziHero, Nov 12, 2016.

  1. GuzziHero

    GuzziHero Member

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    I know there have been many issues in the UK with plastic and fibreglass fuel tanks warping due to ethanol damage. Over here, I know that Benelli owners have suffered with bubbling paint because of it.

    Has anyone experienced tank swelling / damaged paint due to using regular unleaded?
     
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  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

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    I haven't suffered any issues yet but I'm now running mine on good old 95 unleaded - no ethanol. However if you look at many Tiger 955i adverts on Ebay you'll see a significant number have bubbling paint on the tank.
     
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  3. GuzziHero

    GuzziHero Member

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    Almost all normal 95 unleaded has up to 5% ethanol in it, some has up to 10% (E10).

    Must suck to have a plastic tanked bike in Wales, its hard to find super over there.

    I'd best stick to supe. Cheers for the advice!
     
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  4. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

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    We still have the choice of non-ethanol 95 OR 95 E10 over here.
     
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  5. GuzziHero

    GuzziHero Member

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    Which 'non-ethanol' are actually non ethanol? If it doesnt have an Ex number on the pump, it can still be up to 5% by EU regs. in fact, I'm not sure they even have to mark E10 anymore. Its pretty much a given that all regular fuel has some quantity of ethanol poison in it.

    Even supe can contain ethanol in some areas.

    http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wessex/ethanol-update.html
     
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  6. t552

    t552 Senior Member

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    I've had my t595 for 16 years. the tank was growing even before the ethanol debate started I had to elongate the holes in the octopus cover to fit back on the tank.
    I tend to store it with very little fuel in the tank now.
     
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  7. John Armond

    John Armond New Member

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    BP Ultimate and Esso V Power are apparently Ethanol free and Clive Wood advises that you drain down the tank if not using the machine for long periods . Bikertubby .
     
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  8. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

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    One option would be to use a liquid tank liner kit.
     
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  9. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

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    I have been told they work
     
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  10. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Don't know about Triumph but certainly older Aprilias have issues with tank expansion due to the ethanol content which causes leaks at the bottom of the tank where the fuel pump sits.
    As I understand it all UK fuel contains ethanol but potentially the higher grade stuff has less and would therefore be less likely to cause problems, although no guarantees.
     
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