Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
what to do with poor fuel quality ??? what to do with poor fuel quality ???
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
what to do with poor fuel quality ???
hi,
we had a talk with viktor, we are going to opposite ways through ex ussr
so worries for sure with fuel quality
i drive a r100gs pd, he drives a dr400, and i don't know what to do with poor fuel quality
i told him that the bmw takes almost anything
i have some filters to filter the fuel, to avoid "sheet" to go inside the carburator etc ...
i will maybe play with the carburator, what we call "richesse" in french

otherwise ???
any advice please ...

thanks a lot, safe travels

i'm leaving in a week, ready with almost anything, waouh :-)
http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Mar 2002
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
Vincent,

All you can do with poor quality fuel is filter it to make sure it's clean and nothing gets into the carburetor.

There are no adjustments you can make to the carburetor to compensate for poor fuel. Leave it alone, just pull the float bowls off occasionally to make sure it's clean with no water.

If it runs really badly, dump the fuel and replace it. If the bike is pinging badly (rattle in the engine) from poor fuel, you can retard the ignition timing a little. (Mark the ignition canister location so you can get back to the same spot, then move 2-3mm)

Otherwise keep throttle opening lower and revs higher to reduce load.

Good luck, have a great trip!

------------------
Grant Johnson

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
grant,
thanks, that's what i thought a bit

is there any solution with low octane fuel ?
or that's the same replies ?
maarteen talked about octane booster, what do you think ?

thanks,
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Mar 2002
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,313
Low octane is what causes ping. Octane booster - if you have room, sure, but you can only carry so much. I wouldn't bother.

------------------
Grant Johnson

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Mar 2002
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Hai,

To bad you can't take a trailer with the stuff (octane booster).
Actually, what I ment to say Vincent:
You get a tank full of bad fuel, low octane that is, No problem, just drive easy, little throtle, high rpm and it will probably go OK. But... then, after 2 weeks of driving like that, you get to a big mountain... and you need to go over it. Unfortunatly you can't make it with little throtle and the engine sounds like a drumband... then it's time to get the little bottle of "octane booster" and through it in. It might just help you to get on top of that mountain.

Ofcourse... it's only theoretical, I never had that problem. (I don't even know how good the stuff really works)

Maarten
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Mar 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
hi,
thanks for your replies
i think i go without octane booster and be careful with the fuel, try to get the best i can

safe travels
http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Apr 2002
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Bärenklau, Brandenburg, Germany
Posts: 9
hi vincent,

to prevent or minimize the pinging you can replace the original cylinder-foot-gaskets. Your BMW-dealer should have (or could order) thicker ones, designed specially for the 'bad-fuel-problem'. they are about double as thick as the originals and lower the compression of the engine. this minimizes the problem but of course (nothing's for free) lowers also the power of the engine.

to change the gaskets is not a big deal, but you will need a torque-wrench to tighten the cylinder- and head-bolts again with the right torque. i think you would find a torque-wrench also in a russian garage, but I would recommend to do this work in france, so you can do at a proper, clean and well equiped working space. anyway you should set ignition a little bit 'later' than original and of course use filters and clean or replace them regularly.

You could also get a double-ignition (with two pluges for each cylinder). this also lowers the risk of pinging, but it's an expensive work and you dont have no time.

before i changed my BMW engine (R60/5) completely (with no 'bad-fuel-problem' never again), i did this foot-gasket thing and it worked fine with bad fuel in the middle east and egypt (in the late 80s).

long may you run
gerd
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top