| Author | Message | ||
     Sidv |
LAst winter I went to start the X1 and the fuel pump didn't prime and no start. Don't usually ride in the winter so decided to work on it this spring. Ordered new pump and got started last week. When I drained the tank and went to pull the pump, this is what I found. I've owned the bike since new and run super unleaded in it and used Stabil once about 10 years ago. Nothing else added to the tank. Any ideas what this is from?    I had to scrape it out from the inside of the tank. It was like bubble gum from the walls of the tank and when I placed it on the concrete for the pic it melted to a tar like consistency. | ||
| Blks1l |
The fuel we have here in Texas has an ethanol additive, don't know what percentage, but it will get a type of algae growth in it that turns to a bit of a gel that when dries turns to a white powder, I think it is just the sorry fuel we have around here at least, it seems like it can go bad within a few months. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Wow ,that looks like you digged up a old pack of dynamite sticks  Not only in Texas ,but this ethanol issues is spreading every were! | ||
| Sidv |
I had that problem (ethanol gas absorbing water and causing issues) in a couple of carb dirt bikes over the winter. Nothing like these tar balls though and nothing was in those tanks. It is sticky like wet gasket sealant when hot. I can only imagine what it's like in the tank when the bike's parked while stopped when out on a ride for a bite to eat. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Maybe it's some kind of tank sealer that solved because of the ethanol!? | ||
| Hootowl |
The X1 tanks are rotomolded plastic. Can't imagine they'd need to use a tank sealer. | ||
| Sidv |
Any suggestions for getting it out? I've scraped what I can with a plastic putty knife by letting it sit in the sun to loosen up and also tried degreaser as well. I've gotten quite a bit (about a cup) out but my arm won't fit through the hole to reach the very back. I have fresh gas in it now hoping it may suspend it then I'll dump it and try again. My 12 year old with slimmer arms loves to ride on the bike but don't know that his mom will let him scrub volatile chemicals from inside it. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I wonder if the fuel stabilizer had some sort of reaction over time? It looks like you jammed it full of pine cones or something! I guess you'll have to replace the filter too. This just baffles me. Gumout and other carb clean stuff contain acetone. I don't know if it would go after the plastic tank. If I were in your position, I would probably be giving thought to just trying to find a old used one from ebay or something. Here's one but it doesn't have the pump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-X1-Lightning-gas-fue l-tank-bladder-cell-plastic-1999-2002-16-6-/391501 806960?hash=item5b27537d70:g:QX4AAOSwkl5Xfmig&vxp= mtr | ||
| Hootowl |
Try filling it with gravel and shaking it about for a while. Might be enough abrasion to chip the stuff off. You're not going to hurt the plastic. | ||
| Hootowl |
HDPE is immune to virtually all chemical solvents, including acetone, even at elevated temperatures. | ||
| Alfau |
water in fuel feeds bacteria. http://www.fueltration.ca/e10-the-invasion-of-wate r-and-bugs-in-service-stations/ Google "diesel bug" | ||
| K12pilot |
Holy crap that is UGLY!!!! I have a couple X1 tanks laying around.... You pay the shipping & it is my gift!!! | ||
| 12mpghwy |
Radiator shops around here will solvent soak motorcycle gastanks or at least they used too. if you get another tank then cut this one in half with a sawzall and post pictures. |
