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Orcadrvr's avatar
Orcadrvr
Explorer
Dec 15, 2017

Green Gasoline

Just thought I would share this experience:

I have a little Honda off road cycle (XR80) that I use infrequently. I started it up about six months ago in Southern California, and it ran fine. I put it away, without adding some Stabil like I usually do,and when I went to start it a couple of weeks ago, it wouldn't start.
So, I pulled the carb, and found GREEN GASOLINE in it, along with clumps of what looked like algae.
Weirdest thing I have yet seen in a carb!
I cleaned the carb for 24 hours in a carb cleaner solution, and now I am going to drain the tank, and try starting it again.

I know that, under some circumstances, diesel can grow algae, but I have never seen this before?
Any ideas what causes this?
  • pnichols's avatar
    pnichols
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2017
    For years I never used gas stabilizers in my 25-30 year old Honda 4-cycle portable generator and it always started right up and I've never touched it's carb. (I began using a stabilzer in it a few years ago when I started carrying it along in our RV just in case - for maybe added reliability.)

    So ..... I wonder why a 4-cycle Honda motorcycle engine would require use of a stabilizer? I wonder if water in the gas might cause stuff to eventually grow in it?
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Dec 15, 2017
    cleaned out a gen carb last summer it had dried up stabil and gas in it, must have sat a long time the carb bowl had red tint dusty gunk in it. but flushed things out and started right up.
  • Orcadrvr's avatar
    Orcadrvr
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2017
    Not diesel gas. Not a two cycle.

    It's a four cycle, gasoline engine. I have never had diesel in my gas cans.

    At this point, I am going with Mex's "pork chops in the fuel" theory!
  • Oasisbob's avatar
    Oasisbob
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2017
    The XR 80 is a four stroke motor. I have no idea why your fuel turned green. You, however, have motivated me to add STA BIL Marine fuel stabalizers to all my motors. Much easier than flushing, cleaning and or replaceing fuel components. Thanks for the motivation.
  • Sloop_Smitten's avatar
    Sloop_Smitten
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2017
    If the XR80 has a 2-cycle engine it could be the oil added to the gas is separating and causing the green color as the gas deteriorates.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2017
    Methanol is ALGAE FOOD under the right concentrations. If they could find a way to stuff WHEAT and PORK CHOPS into your gas tank and SPECULATE on the artificially inflated price, they would.

    As long as they keep their stupidity out of Mexican gasoline, I'll remain happy.

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