The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Ethanol and gas lines

For several years now I have had a recurring issue with the 964 S Carter YF on my 216. It would flood out. I had recently come to the conclusion that the accelerator pump was being destroyed and then clogging things up. That may have been the issue for a while but I have found a new possible suspect.

I replaced a short gas line going to the inline filter that I had placed between the tank and the fuel pump. Once done, the flooding returned. I found little black specs in the float bowl and the needle and seat. I also have the screw in filter at the gas inlet connection going into the carb.

Yes I was using new /modern gas line, a new paper in line filter, a glass bowl fuel pump, and real non ethanol gas at this point. In fact I had just dumped in 5 gallons in the tank. The tank is also new.

My point is no matter where you have rubber, ethanol will find it and cause problems. The rubber exposure on mine was no more the about two inches.

My question is what type filters are you guys using, and where are they placed? I have a pre pump and a pre carb in addition to the fuel pump screen.

Is there a recommended micron number for the filters?

Thanks for any input.

Mike, I use Gates fuel line (can't recall which variety), an electric pump, a filter before the pump and one before the fuel reaches the carburetor. I haven't had that problem at all and my fuel line is probably 6 years old. Ethanol will degrade rubber, though...you're right about that. The diaphragm I have is one of the orange ones. I've let it dry out completely several times but after 3 years it has not failed and last time I looked showed no signs of trouble. I'm not really sure what micron number filters I have...just haven't had those problems. Good luck!

I've been using ethanol fuel in all my cars more or less exclusively since ethanol free isn't conveniently available around here and have experienced zero problems with any of the carburetors or fuel pumps that could be attributed to ethanol.

These vehicles are driven regularly as normal vehicles so fuel doesn't sit in the tank or carburetor doing who-knows-what?

Ol Roy's only filter is the screen in the glass bowl fuel pump. Several thousand miles on it so far with no issues.

All ethanol is not created equally!

With my business, I speak with customers in every state (well, in much of the world, but not applicable to this post).

(OPINION)

Based on conversations with customers, and their issues, I believe Colorado has the least vehicle-friendly fuel in the nation. California and Washington are a fairly close second, and Iowa and Missouri are close at third.

Here in Missouri, foam floats fail, anything that is rubber fails regardless of when it was made, modern accelerator pumps (anything but genuine leather) fail.

As to Iowa, coming home from a swap meet in Iola, Wisconsin through Iowa, had to fill up on the interstate, and then had to turn off the air conditioner to get out of Iowa!
Refilled the tank at the first station in Missouri; about 50 miles later, everything back to normal.

Again personal experience in Missouri, small engines will simply not run at ambients above 90 degrees F. (maybe not a bad thing, I probably have no business mowing in the sunshine at 95 degrees). Carburated or fuel injected doesn't matter. Have tried different stations, no change. Finally switched to an electric trimmer, chain saw, etc.

The point to this wordy and obtuse post is that some folks are going to have more severe, and more, issues than other folks.

Oh, and the best fuel: folks in Pennsylvania and western New York seem to have fewer issues than anyone else.

Jon

I agree with carbking
Up in SK we have sometimes low blended ethanol but you can’t know for sure day to day
Pump label states up to 15% ethanol possible
But so far the gasoline seems to be AD truck ideal blend
Never water
No damage to rubber or non metallic parts
Power piston in carb stays free
Truck will start just fine after 6 months on a 1/4 tank of old gas
I buy exclusively from the co-op which has its own refinery/upgrader facility in Regina SK, perhaps they control their process better suited to our region and use cases.

I was buying premium from the shell station for my Audi however they have their own upgrader in Alberta and my car had trouble adapting to that fuel and I would get Engine Power Control warnings usually in the fall on cold starts near freezing temperatures
Since switching to only co-op premium for the Audi and regular for the trucks everything got better
-s