I bought some "fuel line" from a local dealer that looks alot like vinyl tubing. Is it really vinyl and does it deteriorate in contact with MTBE or ethanol or methanol? I have always heard that the SAE 30R7 hose normally labelled carborator will turn gummy in fuel with additives. I'd expect vinyl would be worse. Does anyone have any anecdotal info on this? I figure if it does deteriorate, at least I can see it because its clear. Also I expect it might take a while for it to happen.
Did it have Fuel line on the package????
Vinyl fuel line is not made of the same stuff as regular vinyl hose sold at a hardware store. (although they appear much the same)
Never seen either deteriorate in any fuel.
The regular vinyl will last a while but will harden (and shrink) and ultimately crack open and leak within a years time of installing it.
Todays Vinyl Fuel line lasts longer than rubber fuel line hose and is impervious to all fuel related chemicals.
So as long as it says fuel line...you're fine.
But...er..... what the heck are you doing????
Experimenting with alternative fuels????
You should NOT be using fuel with a high MTBE count (it raises octane levels.. but not in a way that will enhance performance) ..and it's not good for your bike or the ozone.
........Or any fuel that contains Ethynol or methanol in a Motorcycle.
You can theoreticly rejet the the bike for methanol (but we'd be talking HUGE jets in a non-manifactured size to run pure methanol)
Any fuel containing Ethynol (in any %) is a potential burnt valve or piston in a bike.... and you should avoid it like the plague!!!!
???
Is there something special about motorcycle valves that I'm missing (with respect to ethanol)? I've never heard about this problem with cars (deteriation of some old rubber fuel parts yes, but not valves).
Thanks for the reply. Yes, the package said "fuel hose" on it and I bought it at a cycle shop. I was just thinking of the levels of MTBE and ethanol they add to normal gas at the station. I've heard anecdotal stories of old fuel lines deteriorating after they started adding MTBE to the mix.
I've replaced my fuel lines with the vinyl-looking stuff and its pretty neat to see the fuel.
On my diesel Mercedes, I use biodiesel, which will definetly not work with the SAE 30R7 fuel hoses. I've replaced all the fuel line in that vehicle with SAE 30R9 "fuel injector hose" made of Viton.
Paul