Petrol/water question.

[Brett]

Hello people,

A friend of mine told me something a mechanic had told her today and I thought you would be the people who know.
She had an Aprillia(I think it's an rs)125. It's restricted, which she seems quite happy with at the moment. Anyway, it keeps sort of dying on her, i.e. not reving properly.
The mechanic told her it's cos she was buying her petrol from supermarkets and because their underground tanks aren't that good they get a lot of water in their petrol , which affects single cylinder bikes.

Anyone else heard of this?

[crushedlizard]

I've heard rumours at least of water residue in underground tanks but I don't know if it's true to a degree that it really affects engines - especially a 2T.

I think the RS problem is more likely just a typical 2T problem! lol Do a plug chop and a compression test. Maybe it's had a lazy restriction done on it. ie the powervalve removed/disconnected, but it's still using a full power spark plug, jetting and needle.

I remember many hours spent trying to get my RS running smoothly after a rebuild. They hate anything under 8500rpm! lol

[Jamz]

Hello people,

A friend of mine told me something a mechanic had told her today and I thought you would be the people who know.
She had an Aprillia(I think it's an rs)125. It's restricted, which she seems quite happy with at the moment. Anyway, it keeps sort of dying on her, i.e. not reving properly.
The mechanic told her it's cos she was buying her petrol from supermarkets and because their underground tanks aren't that good they get a lot of water in their petrol , which affects single cylinder bikes.

Anyone else heard of this?

I've been going on about this for years!!

Supermarket fuel is exactly what it says on the tin - cheap fuel. Great in your Kia Rio, but in a high performance vehicle like a bike... well, it's a bit like putting lawnmower 2-stroke oil in your top of the range 125cc 2-stroke.

I first heard it off several racers (cars) who swore they wouldn't touch the stuff because it's so poor quality. I have to say I'd been finding the same and wondered why.

I can totally see why it would make it cut out, although it's not usually that extreme an effect. It does feel like there's water in the petrol, though.

And before anyone starts, this isn't about knock sensors and engine management - it's about good quality fuel!

[Gemini]

how about that Q8 garage on the A435 by the cross and bowling green, portway jamz?

my bike dont like their fuel

gem

[RedexRobB]

I remember that petrol station, the forecourt is on a slope and my bike fucking well tipped over because of it when i was up for the meet last year.

Q8 petrol comes from Kuwait, believe it or not.

[saka_ZXR]

From now on i shall be avoiding supermarket petrol stations unless i absolutely have to use em.

It may just be speculation or rumours but better safe than sorry

[crushedlizard]

Nonesense. I think it's another myth like the old "fully synth oil killed my engine" superstitions.

Petrol has to conform to certain standards in order to be sold in the UK. And it's refined form the larger companies anyway. The only difference is the extras like detergents.

Unless you ride once a year, I can't see why you'd ever run into problems. Petrol only gunks up over fairly long period of time.

95RON is 95RON just like viscosity of oils. 40 is 40, whether it's mineral or fully synth.

[Jamz]

how about that Q8 garage on the A435 by the cross and bowling green, portway jamz?

my bike dont like their fuel

gem

Don't think I've put Q8 in a bike for years... I would have thought they'd be better than the supermarkets, though.

Crushedlizard - you say it's down to 'just' detergents, but they're obviously pretty damn important in terms of smoothness, throttle response and mileage. I've spent 9 years experimenting and done well over 200,000 miles on bikes to come to my conclusions about petrol. And even when I was skint as fk I still put super unleaded in because it gave better mileage.

[Davw]

Q8 petrol comes from Kuwait, believe it or not.

Rob - I'd be a bit stunned if that were true. All the petrol sold in the UK is distributed from the UK based refineries where crude stocks (UK produced and imported) are refined to provide the whole range of petroleum products. The Q8 "brand" is owned by the Kuwaiti's but the fuel is provided from the UK refineries.

It is hard to see that the refinery stock is graded into "supermarket" petrol and "good stuff" . For example the refinery stock from Grnagemouth is used to support most if not all of the petrol retailers in Scotland so hard to see that there is much scope for variation in supplies. The quality of the storage is perhaps an issue but water getting into undeground tanks seems a bit far fetched to be honest and could only be possible if it was entering through the vent "goosenecks" which are specifcally designed to prevent it.

For me this is an "old wives tale" but am happy to be corrected

[crushedlizard]

Hey Jamz, I'm with you on the "super" affinitiy. I exclusively use Shell V-Power unless I get caught out, in which case I will put a 1/4 tank of BP or whatever in order to get me to a Shell.

So far after 600+ litres, I'm averaging about 10km extra per tank (3-4%). But double reward points means I earn an extra Tankful every year - so the extra price evens it out.
(This is in my Prelude).

Detergents and lubricants will certainly help in the long run - you get what you pay for.

But I just don't believe cheap fuel causes half the problems people assume it does.
Certainly after many, many miles, the engine will perhaps gain more deposits. But regular servicing should include the cleaning/replacement of filters/jets etc.

It's like saying there's a 100% mortality rate amongst tea drinkers. The statement is true, but the tea isn't the factor.

[RedexRobB]

Q8 petrol comes from Kuwait, believe it or not.

Rob - I'd be a bit stunned if that were true. All the petrol sold in the UK is distributed from the UK based refineries where crude stocks (UK produced and imported) are refined to provide the whole range of petroleum products. The Q8 "brand" is owned by the Kuwaiti's but the fuel is provided from the UK refineries.

That is actually what i meant. you took it a bit too literaly there

[Jamz]

But I just don't believe cheap fuel causes half the problems people assume it does.

No, I agree with that. I doubt it actually does any measurable damage to an engine - but it doesn't run as well.

I find it quite funny that some people will set their bikes up on a dyno, spend hundreds on exhausts and filters and top quality oil... then nip into Morrisons to use their petrol!

Shell V-Power is where it's at. I just wish there was one near me...

[Gemini]

texaco's own jungle juice not up to much then jamz?

lol

gem

[Jamz]

texaco's own jungle juice not up to much then jamz?

lol

gem

It's about equal third best along with Esso - more bloody expensive than Shell, too!

BP comes in second to Shell.

[cargo]

It doesn't mix you know