Fuel Changing and the Effect on Tune

[koko64]

Have noticed that two FCR customer bikes are fouling plugs with excessive richness despite no adjustment and no flooding. What they do have in common is BP 98RON Ultimate. Both are hi comp motors and need our premium fuel.  BP recently advertised a large increase in additives designed to clean the injectors and valves. I have had to open the SAJ screw to compensate as I found fouled plugs and hard starting. I must say that even my fuel injected Hyper runs better on other brands of fuel now. This was a problem we used to have with Shell 98 but it appears to be better now. BP has been the fuel of choice and Shell was to be avoided so is this reversal due to the much advertised and celebrated large increase in additives by BP?
I ran a fresh batch of Shell and my Hyper ran much better than with the local BP station's fuel so it has me wondering. Maybe the winter formula in general isn't agreeable to carbed bikes or possibly the old gas station both riders use has lousy old fuel tanks that need a clean.

One thing for sure is that the local BP 98 is doing to carbed bikes what Shell 98 used to do, rich low speed running and foul plugs. The question is whether its dirty tanks at a particular gas station or the new formula in general that is causing this problem.

[greenmonster]

Do they ping on lower octane?
Kokusan or Ignitech ignition?

[Charlie98]

I ran a tank of 100 octane Exxon through my stock 796... it ran like crap, which is probably a good thing... it was $7/gal.

Chances are BP changed the actual formulation of the gas, to include the additive package.  I'd find another fuel source.

[Howie]

Letter writing campaign to BP?

[koko64]

I suspect the new BP formula, also note that my local BP gas station is probably very old with very old tanks. The fuel quality could vary considerably. The two BP gas stations I am concerned about may be 50-70 years old.

There is another factor of concern too; ethanol dumping. I cannot reveal my source except that it is from within the industry, but the practice of buying excess ethanol very cheap for a cheap top up of storage tanks is a concern. There must be a test kit to test fuel. Anyone know a company that sells a cheap test kit? Independant small operators and semi independent gas stations may have a range of fuel sources. One large chain is suspected of alleged systemic ethanol dumping.

The bikes have carefully tuned Ignitech ignition units and Dyna or Exactfit coils. Ignition is retarded for hi comp and no pinging on 98RON. 95RON causes a little pinging.

In the past  I have called customer feedback to give Shell a roasting and surprisingly had a quite candid conversation with an engineer about constant reviewing of formulas and how modern fuel is aimed at EFI not carburettors. That's when I realised the detergent package which cleans injectors at 45 psi can clag carburettors at 3 psi. Seasonal formulas may also affect carbed bikes to a greater or lesser extent.

Quite a few years ago Mobil got sued for its hi octane fuel damaging motors in luxury car brands. Then over the years Shell here developed a bad reputation for rough low speed running which persists to this day. Many had real issues with Shell 98 in carbed bikes with clagged jets, but Shell has publicly revised it's 98 at least three times with big ad campaigns. I had to stop using it in small engines for years, but I think its ok now. Shell appears to work ok in my Hyper, so I'll try it in the Monster. Now I guess BP may have an issue with the even more is better cleaning additives approach. BP boasts its 98 fuel  "will bust dirt in two tanks".
I'll call my industry source and report back.

[ducpainter]

There's all kinds of cheap test kits listed online.

eta...Cheap is a relative term. $20 for 5 test strips.

[koko64]

Kind of like litmus testing kits I guess. I'll shop around. I'm going to test some local fuels and report back.

[ducpainter]

There's one kit that actually has test tubes, and pipettes.

It isn't 'cheap', but they definitely ship o/seas. I'll get you the link if you're interested.

[koko64]

Thanks.ðŸ'

[GK]

I recently heard that underground fuel tanks at service stations here need to be replaced every 10 years.

I'll switch back to Shell for a bit and see. Bummer though, my bike is at the tuners right now, with BP 98 in the tank!

[koko64]

Have found a crew in the States that sell test strips that are very easy to use. Similar to the test strips for your spa.
Cheers.

[GK]

Got back from the tuners. He's heard about the BP issue too.

AF ratio was around 12. Remapping almost done.

Hope I get a ride in prior to heading back to work on Monday! 😉

[koko64]

It appears to be a BP 98 RON issue. I will chase those E fuel strips though.

[koko64]

I will be ordering some test strips from the US as soon as they invoice me.