« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Fuel turns red  (Read 4673 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Fuel turns red
« on: October 15, 2013, 04:49:19 PM »
Look at what happens to my fuel, it turns red.  And this is after just one day.  The fuel is fresh 93 octane (10% ethanol) from the pump that same day.  I've pulled the bowl off a few times over the past few weeks and the idle jet is always clogged.  Over the past week or so I tried these things:

- A different tank
- Isolating the carburetor by connecting a long tube to the filter and hanging it over the handlebars
- Trying new fuel filters after a tip from the guy that runs Randakks during a seminar at Barbers last weekend

The only thing left is the actual fuel tubing itself.  It's just per foot fuel line from Autozone but you can see from the picture, it breaks down quickly.  The short tube to the carb from the filter is just a few weeks old.  I guess I'm off to buy some real cycle fuel line and see what happens.  Anybody ever had this happen?
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2013, 04:59:28 PM »
I've had it happen and the culprit was the Red Cote that someone used to line the tank, but it seems as though you eliminated the tank...Larry
Logged

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2013, 05:04:43 PM »
Quote from: MoMo on October 15, 2013, 04:59:28 PM
I've had it happen and the culprit was the Red Cote that someone used to line the tank, but it seems as though you eliminated the tank...Larry
I have used Red Kote also Larry and noticed the red gas. Did not seem to affect the running but makes one kind of wonder if it leaves deposits etc. Seems weird lines would do that.
Logged

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2013, 05:07:05 PM »
yeah Larry, both my tanks are spotless on the inside.  My other Trail 90 (with the same fuel line) was clogged up too.  I didn't even get to ride it at Barber's.  Luckily I took my 650 too...
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline tbpmusic

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 791
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2013, 05:09:37 PM »
I've used RedKote a lot, never noticed this.......

Maybe it's the ethanol, known to damage old systems.
Logged
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, then it's an electrical problem"

Bill Lane
 '71 CB450 Mutant/ '75 CB200/ '81 CM200/ '71 C70M

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2013, 05:11:16 PM »
That yellow tank is the same one I sealed with POR 15 paint a year or so ago.  It's still spotless inside (and silver)...

I guess I could always just cut a small piece of that tubing and soak it in gas and see what happens..  Maybe tomorrow.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2013, 05:13:45 PM by fmctm1sw »
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,275
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2013, 06:02:42 PM »
Quote from: tbpmusic on October 15, 2013, 05:09:37 PM
I've used RedKote a lot, never noticed this.......

Maybe it's the ethanol, known to damage old systems.



we had two tanks lined with Redcote and had to redo both.  One was so bad the lining clogged the carbs. Not bad mouthing it , just that was my experience with it.    I also have had fuel line disintegrate and clog the carbs.  Ethanol???? Who knows, ethanol free gas is not available within any reasonable distance from where I live...Larry
Logged

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2013, 04:35:24 PM »
I just put some gas in a small glass cup with about an inch worth of that gas line in it.  We'll see what it looks like later...
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2013, 04:44:58 AM »
Any tinge of red yet ?
Logged

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2013, 06:24:26 PM »
Well, here's my results.  A one inch chunk of fuel tube turned the gas brown overnight.  You can see the filter is gunked up too.  For S&Gs I took a sample from my red CT90 and while not as brown, you can definitely see it's not clear.  There is also crud in the bottom of the glass.  I replaced all the tubing with 5.5mm tubing from a local Honda dealer and took a before and after picture.  Hours later, it's still clear.  I'll take another look in the morning but I know for a fact it started turning brown very quickly last time.
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2013, 06:42:25 PM »
I added a shot of the inside of the tube after soaking in gas.  It split very easily and you can see white deposits inside it.  I'm sure the proper use of fuel line doesn't include soaking the whole thing in gas but I'm definitely skeptical of Autozone fuel tubing now.
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2013, 07:26:23 PM »
Interesting and thanks for sticking with it. In the end could you write a short clear synopsis on what you have learned and what others should avoid.
Logged

Offline bjbuchanan

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,276
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #12 on: October 20, 2013, 03:42:38 PM »
Is what you have there actually fuel line or some other line like tranny or hydraulic? If it is auto zone fuel line it us made by arrow mark and will say carb or fuel injection on it
Logged
The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
Stock airbox w/ drop in K&N, Hooker 4-1

Don't trust me alone with a claw hammer and some pliers

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2013, 04:54:29 PM »
Great point.  I asked for fuel line and kind of just took their word for it.  I'll try to look at it this week sometime.  Been real busy with work.
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline bjbuchanan

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,276
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #14 on: October 21, 2013, 06:15:49 PM »
I bet that it isn't actually fuel hose now that you mention that. It is a pressure type hose that is why it has the cording in it but isn't fuel/ethanol resistant
Logged
The dirty girl-1976 cb750k, Ebay 836, Tracy bodykit
Round top carbs w/ 38 pilots, middle needle position, airscrew 7/8ths out, 122 main jet
Stock airbox w/ drop in K&N, Hooker 4-1

Don't trust me alone with a claw hammer and some pliers

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2013, 09:42:12 AM »
^My thoughts exactly...
Logged
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline fmctm1sw

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,042
Re: Fuel turns red
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2013, 04:52:07 PM »
I finally got around to looking at this.  The line I had from Autozone is labeled fuel line.  After I put the fuel line from the Honda dealer, it stopped turning red.  Now it runs long enough to foul the plug at least  ::)
Logged
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »