Fuel hose warning E5 E10

[Rob B]

Just in case anyone is still using the old cloth covered fuel hoses. Don't!

I have been persevering with this stuff for the sake of originality, renewing every year as the ends split but it is now unusable.  I have just removed my ones for routine replacement and found that the inside diameter has increased from 7mm to 9mm, probably as the ethanol content in fuel is being increased to 10% well ahead of the "official" date. Fortunately, I use good quality fuel hose clamps but I have seen some bikes where the hoses are simply pushed on. They will fall off!

[Miti]

Hi Rob;

That's useful information.  I have also found (across bikes) that the rubber parts of carbs and fuel systems don't fare well with ethanol fuel.

The stuff is hygroscopic, so draws in water from the atmosphere... This causes corrosion - particularly in unprotected steel tanks.

Two out of three of my bikes have the tanks sealed with POR 15 - neither had problems with corrosion or leaks, I lined the tanks specifically to protect the metal from the effects of ethanol.

I have found that fuel injection type fuel hose can withstand ethanol, providing it's sourced from reliable retailers and has the necessary BS or EN standards printed along its length...

Don't even get me started on what this stuff does to carburettors..!!

Jeff

[Chris N]

Hi Jeff my original hoses need changing do you have any recommendations for replacement hose sources?I sourced some 7mm id multi-fuel hose from the local motor factor which they said was correct for en10 fuel time will tell.