Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

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Taid
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Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by Taid »

Forgive me, but I do get these fanciful ideas at times ..

Today, it struck me that, unless one runs out of fuel, the reserve side of the tank rarely if ever gets turned on .. certainly, in the two years have had the 16MS, I have never turned it on ..

I don't understand the chemistry of ethanol, but I gather it combines with moisture in the air in the tank and then that water tends to separate out and sink to the bottom of the tank .. OK, in the main side of the tank, the small amount that does separate gets carried away with hardly any effect, but in the reserve it sits there and accumulates (or does it?) .. if it does, and you need to turn on the reserve, will you be feeding a very high proportion of water into the carburettor . enough to stop the engine?

so, should we regularly run from the reserve side to limit this (possible) build up of water?
___

Now sold ... 1956 AJS 16MS Bitsa .. HSU 414 .. rebuilt/re-registered 1987
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Rob Harknett
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by Rob Harknett »

Treat it like you used to treat a 2 stroke to mix the oil up. Rock the bike sideways each day you go to work. But Standing for weeks you may get water settle. so best take off the pipe and drain any water out. A little bubble of water may settle in the bottom of the carb and block the main jet. I've had that happen years ago with leaded fuel
SPRIDDLER
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by SPRIDDLER »

I've never heard of it causing anyone a problem.
I expect that when riding, filling up and braking the petrol sloshes around and mixes.
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Duncan
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by Duncan »

I think its a good theory, I tend to use the reserve intermittently anyway just to keep the corks in order.
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clive
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by clive »

SPRIDDLER wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 8:44 am I've never heard of it causing anyone a problem.
I expect that when riding, filling up and braking the petrol sloshes around and mixes.
I never brake or go over any potholes and avoid filling as much as possible :rofl:
clive
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Mick D
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by Mick D »

Hi

I think Duncan offers the best advice - I too use the reserve supply on a regular basis when the tank is fairly full, it gives me confidence that it is working correctly and will be if needed.

Regards Mick
56G80S
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by 56G80S »

I recall that Rob H advised using the reserve from time to time as well, although a long time ago.

Seems like good practice to me.

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anthony kosecki
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by anthony kosecki »

This doesn't answer the question but is worth reading:
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/documents/Eth ... 052014.pdf

Tony
Andy G
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Re: Does there get a build up of water in the 'reserve' side of the tank?

Post by Andy G »

Very interesting paper, and surprising how few petrol additives actually worked to stabilise the fuel... including Seafoam which has it's own discussion elsewhere on the forum.
Bombling contentedly around rural Aberdeenshire
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