Weird stuff in gas tank and fuel system

[DrRod]

I have a 01 Honda Recon. Every year or so the carbonator gets clogged by a tiny bit of black gummy dirt, which my local mechanic clans out and all is ok again. So last week it started doing its "runs but stalls" routine and I took it in. The guy called to say that there were little globules like frogs eggs in the gas tank. He dried one out and it had very tiny flakes in it -- like the stuff at the bottom of a Wheaties box but really small. They also found the same flakes in the fuel line and carbonator. We didn't think mice could do that. I thought bees maybe, but how would the little balls of stuff get in the gas tank. He also said that one side of the filler cap had white powder on it. Again, no clue other than maybe fertilizer blowing around.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated.

 

[TnAndy]

My neighbor had something like that....we figured it had something to do with ethanol in the gasoline. He went to pure gasoline, and the problem went away, after removing the tank and cleaning it out with a rinse of non-ethanol gas.

 

[jeff9366]

I had a similar problem with my fuel injected Kubota RTV500. When ethanol gas is more than a month or so old it seems to cause problems. I use ethanol free "marine" gas in my RTV500. Marine gas is widely available in Florida.

Some people use their boats infrequently. They would rather pay the premium for marine gas than be stranded offshore.

I fuel my RTV500 and L3560 tractor out of five gallon containers to insure none of the fuel is more than a month old in either vehicle. I also run the fuel down in both before refueling, so new and old fuel is not mixed in vehicle tanks more than necessary.

 

[ruffdog]

It is probably from water in the fuel. When water has been in a tank for a while, it can take on a whole new form. Dirt and other debris seem to collect in these water globs and it has to be cleaned out.

 

[Oldoak]

Although I don't like the idea of gasoline with ethanol, I think fuel with ethanol added is too often blamed for other fuel problems. I have used gasoline with ethanol for many years now, even in my chain saws, portable generators, and leaf blower without any fuel related issues. Some of which sits for months between uses.

The only precaution I take is to add a gasoline stabilizer every time I get a new supply of gas for my equipment. I used to add the red Sta-Bil, but have switch to the blue Sta-Bil stabilizer about a year ago just for more effective insurance against stale gas with ethanol added.

 

[ArlyA]

I agree with Oldoak in that gasoline with ethanol has caused the following problems. Kids not listening to your instructions. Arguments with spousal unit. Weather went to ^%@)+&. Getting audited by the IRS.

Only thing I can seriously add is we only use SeaFoam to stabilize our seasonal use fuels.

 

[ruffdog]

Dirty bulk tanks on farms with water and dirt in them are a good way to plug up small engine carbs.

 

[nyone]

Have you changed your fuel lines? The fuel today like to eat rubber.