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Post by comstar on Aug 3, 2021 15:27:58 GMT
How long had that bike been standing Nick? I reckon since 2007......so 14 years. But.....give me an hour or two (just have to go out) I will explain more.
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Post by comstar on Aug 3, 2021 20:27:17 GMT
So when I got my 400 Hawk a couple of years ago it had been standing since 1997 - with 3/4 tank of fuel.....no sign of the fuel turning to varnish at all.
This one been standing since 2007 I grant you. But the fuel has honestly turned to a disgusting varnish. Schoolboy error these past few days. Refitted nice clean carbs but never paid any attention to flushing the gunk out of the petrol tank. I simply forgot. I had it repainted and it is a beautiful on the outside but the inside must still be a mess.
The result having put fresh fuel in without flushing it through? Gummed up float needles again. AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
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Post by comstar on Aug 16, 2021 3:58:06 GMT
There is progress I promise you just bear with.
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Post by comstar on Aug 16, 2021 4:09:33 GMT
Not in the carbs as they are totally cean.....filled the tank with two cans of this.
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Post by comstar on Aug 27, 2021 21:02:01 GMT
So after using evaporust in the tank some weeks ago (probably a mistake as it works on rust not dead fuel) I have now run through 2 x tanks of fresh petrol with an additive and am still getting this... Not hard but soft in consistency. Problem is it can get through the petcock screen when it's suspended in new fuel and it becomes very sticky - and then gums up the float needles. Will soldier on.....
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Post by robinbanks on Aug 28, 2021 5:51:51 GMT
Hello Nic and just my moneys worth but I think that is the tank liner breaking down.
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Post by comstar on Aug 29, 2021 4:30:17 GMT
Hello Nic and just my moneys worth but I think that is the tank liner breaking down. You could be right Robin.....that said, most of what is coming out has a very soft consistency, almost like let's say chocolate that can literally rub away when squeezed on your fingers... I'd expect a broken down liner to not behave like that....then again anything is possible with this horrible fuel.
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Post by comstar on Aug 30, 2021 3:07:49 GMT
9th lot of fuel flushed through (using a strainer to return it) and still the crap continues to come out...
No more Mr Nice guy now.....gonna go to Autozone tomorrow and see what they have to break down whatever is in this bleddy tank.
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Post by comstar on Aug 31, 2021 16:47:27 GMT
Five more flushes with strained fuel and fuel system cleaner.....and I have reached a conclusion. This is the liner that has broken fully down inside (as per your suggestion Robin). So I assume Triumph use a liner on these bikes from new or someone may have lined it previously. I find this unlikely as all the other bonnie tanks look the same inside with this sometimes reddish oxide or silver liner appearance. Gut feeling is that Triumph updated the liners around 2005 approximately when they knew this was becoming a problem in the States. I'm guessing the reddish liner is more ethanol resistant...pure conjecture but I think it's credible. So you can see how this E10 fuel that America has had for many years has ruined this liner. If this is not proof that this stuff is harmful over time then I don't know what is. That said the tank was left with this fuel in it for about 15 years. I suppose the bottom line (YET AGAIN) is do not leave this fuel in your bikes for any length of time. I know 15 years is exceptional but even so, compared to my Hawk which had fuel left in it for 20 years, that tank was as clean as a whistle inside, and the carb bowls generally as well come to that. Anyway, there is now only one option. To dry the tank fully out and put a new liner in. I'd rather do this than go to the hassle of having another tank painted up. Sorry if this is getting on your thrupenny bits now, I know it is mine. This has certainly delayed the completion of this project. Anyway, as you were fine people.
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Post by comstar on Sept 3, 2021 6:13:12 GMT
And yes it has come to this now ( fully dry not wet ):
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Post by McLellan on Sept 3, 2021 7:22:26 GMT
Ghostbusters?
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Post by comstar on Sept 6, 2021 20:35:39 GMT
Quite. Who you gonna call?
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Post by comstar on Sept 9, 2021 15:34:53 GMT
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Post by comstar on Sept 20, 2021 3:58:43 GMT
I think we are finally there with the flushed and sealed fuel system. Sealer took a few days to dry and now the petrol is coming out clean apart from a little redness...which is expected from using this particular liner. Certainly no stickiness in the fuel at all now and I've been testing the float needles the past week (bowls off) and they remain free and continue to operate correctly. no longer sticking in their seats. Bike currently running good. As a further precaution I also installed a temporary 'in line' fuel filter from the tank to carb just so I can continue to monitor visually what is going on with the fuel supply from tank to carb. Now my attention will turn to sorting out the shabby front end (at last).
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Post by comstar on Nov 2, 2021 17:11:44 GMT
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