Ethanol and Dellorto Carbs

[sign216]

I've heard that ethanol may harm the rubber/plastic parts of vintage carbs.
Are modern Dellorto carbs okay w ethanol?
I imagine Italy doesn't use ethanol (no corn lobby there) so they may not be designed for it.

Joe

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

On all of my "classic" Italian bikes, the only changes I've made is using the orange (Viton) tipped float needles (vs. black tipped) and E10 resistant fuel hoses.

[sign216]

With the fuel tank swelling because of ethanol, I can't believe that that Dellorto has accounted for it.  I've heard of the plastic and rubber seals etc, going soft and squishy, eventually failing.  A slow, gradual fail, that's hard to get on top off. 

I liked corn, until it did this to me.

Joe

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

With the fuel tank swelling because of ethanol, I can't believe that that Dellorto has accounted for it.  I've heard of the plastic and rubber seals etc, going soft and squishy, eventually failing.  A slow, gradual fail, that's hard to get on top off. 

I liked corn, until it did this to me.

Joe

I work mainly with VHB and PHF Dellortos. On the Guzzi VHB there isn't much to be effected - float needle, o-rings (3), gaskets (3), plastic fuel strainer, accelerator pump check ball and reducer on the inlet. None of it seems to need replacing any sooner than it did back in the '80s or '90s. Same with the PHFs. If anything, the rubber o-rings harden and crack - just like they used to. Accelerator pump diaphragms get stiff just like they always did.

[sign216]

I work mainly with VHB and PHF Dellortos. On the Guzzi VHB there isn't much to be effected - float needle, o-rings (3), gaskets (3), plastic fuel strainer, accelerator pump check ball and reducer on the inlet. None of it seems to need replacing any sooner than it did back in the '80s or '90s. Same with the PHFs. If anything, the rubber o-rings harden and crack - just like they used to. Accelerator pump diaphragms get stiff just like they always did.

Antietam,

How long are they usually lasting for you?

Joe

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Antietam,

How long are they usually lasting for you?

Joe

Hard to put a definitive figure on it. Five years?

Charlie

[sign216]

Hard to put a definitive figure on it. Five years?

Charlie

Yep Charlie,

That's ballpark for me too.  Hard to believe fuel tanks are swelling, but are the various plastics and rubbers in carbs are okay.

Joe

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Lately I have been using the complete Dellorto VHB kits less, rather buying just the gaskets separately, then sourcing o-rings from McMaster-Carr. Instead of Buna-N (likely what the originals are), I buy Viton o-rings in the same sizes. Too early to see if there's any improvement or not. 

[sign216]

Lately I have been using the complete Dellorto VHB kits less, rather buying just the gaskets separately, then sourcing o-rings from McMaster-Carr. Instead of Buna-N (likely what the originals are), I buy Viton o-rings in the same sizes. Too early to see if there's any improvement or not.

Thanks for that idea too.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Thanks for that idea too.

O-rings listing: http://thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html#O

[rutgery]

I haven't had any issues regarding ethanol in the fuel yet and that's with 3 years running E5 and 1 (last year) running E10. I'm also fairly certain Italy (just like any other EU country) HAS to offer 10% Ethanol fuels at each petrol station selling gasoline. But that's now and not when our old big blocks were designed of course..

Great idea to replace the old seals with Viton o-rings!

[Rick4003]

I have the same experience as Rutgery, We can't by non ethanol fuel anymore. Not in the majority of gasstations at least. I usually run octane 100 E5. But if I know I can empty the tank on one ride or in a few days I just fill it up with 95 E10. As it is 10-15% cheaper than the octane 100. (keep in mind that we paid the same for one liter of gas as you US guys pay for a gallon)

Haven't had any carb issues yet. Mostly use the octane 100 E5 due to the bike will often stand for longer periods, so I try to limit the ethanol in it for that reason.

[PeteS]

On all of my "classic" Italian bikes, the only changes I've made is using the orange (Viton) tipped float needles (vs. black tipped) and E10 resistant fuel hoses.

Same here. New float needles and fuel line. Been dealing with E10 for over 30 years with no issues.

Pete

[larrys]

I sorted out the carbs and fuel system on my Cal in 2001. CT started putting ethanol in gasoline in 2006. I haven't touched the carbs, other than to check the synch, since '01. No issues yet...
Larry