Life Saving Fuel Tip

[cmm]

The restrictions we experienced during the soccer world-cup are almost history and we will experience the freedom of flight again.
However for those of us who’s aircraft stood for a week or more and who flies with mogas be aware!!! All fuel companies add some sort of additive to their fuel which makes up the brand of fuel they sell. In this is the origin of our problem. Some of these additives form a gel in the fuel tank if not used regularly. This gel is then suck-up into the fuel system which will result in a fuel starvation/ power loss at a most inappropriate time.

This is exactly the horrifying experience I had which was witnessed by a fellow aviator Albert de Witte. Albert then shared the following, which I regard as a life saving tip with me. Only Shell / BP’s additives do not form a gel overtime in the fuel tank. Since then I only use Shell / BP and has never had to deal with an inappropriate horrifying power loss again, for this I am for ever thankful to Albert.

[Boet]

How much commision is Shell/BP paying you???














OK, thanks for the tip, point taken.

[Biggles]

The restrictions we experienced during the soccer world-cup are almost history and we will experience the freedom of flight again.
However for those of us who’s aircraft stood for a week or more and who flies with mogas be aware!!! All fuel companies add some sort of additive to their fuel which makes up the brand of fuel they sell. In this is the origin of our problem. Some of these additives form a gel in the fuel tank if not used regularly. This gel is then suck-up into the fuel system which will result in a fuel starvation/ power loss at a most inappropriate time.

This is exactly the horrifying experience I had which was witnessed by a fellow aviator Albert de Witte. Albert then shared the following, which I regard as a life saving tip with me. Only Shell / BP’s additives do not form a gel overtime in the fuel tank. Since then I only use Shell / BP and has never had to deal with an inappropriate horrifying power loss again, for this I am for ever thankful to Albert.

Maybe some technical reference is in order for this? I have drained some year old two stroke mix from a tank, I drained it into 2 liter coke bottles as they were all I had and I was surprised by the lack of any degradation (visible atleast). The two stroke oil had settled out abit and there was water but I noticed no gel.

Do the addatives themselves gel or do they cause the fuel to gel?

I frequently fly with 2 month old fuel in the tank. Check for water, tap off two carb bowl full amounts to rince out the carb bowls and dilute with new fuel and give it a good shake to mix it all up and then do the standard preflight water check aswell. And then ground run it to check all is well (mainly for other things rather than the fuel).

[AEROYOTA]

No such problems with a unleaded Toyota Engine!

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

Had a quadbike standing for more than a year with 2 stroke mix in it. Drained fuel but there was not sign of gel or any other goo!. ( must say that i have heard of this problem before )But will check with my trike preflight next weekend.
Hey.... its nearly time to freeze your nuts off again!!!!, cant wait..

I think its going to be VERY busy in the air next weekend.

Later

[Splinter]

Being in the fuel industry with my father for approx 15 years I find a comment like this quite desturbing! I have 20l containers at home with Engen unleaded in it (not BP or Shell) that has been standing for many months (waiting for the generator to work) and it has not formed any gel, not even mentioning the fuel in the generator tank! I really hope you did your homework here champ, otherwise most garages should have gel in their underground tanks. Somehow I dont see oil companies missing this "little" problem. I agree you should check the fuel before flight but I cant see how you can say only BP and Shell`s fuel will be safe after a week or so! How about some facts to prove your statement?

ZU-RED

[MAGNIficent]

I think this is a case for MYTHBUSTERS

[Tumbleweed]

If anything, from the plastic container. Don't put too much faith in them.