The Ford Barn

31Abone · 09-13-2018, 10:38 AM

My two A's stop some times and I have to get out and tap on float chamber to get them going again , If I put in a carb cleaner in it seems to help.. gas gums up the needle valve..whats the best gas for A's and/or additive in California ?

MALAK · 09-13-2018, 10:41 AM

Odd. I live in SoCal and have never had that kind of problem. I do use Marvel Mystery Oil with each tank of gas.

mike657894 · 09-13-2018, 10:49 AM

Im not in california. But have noticed in my motorcyle and a mini four wheeler a neighbor had me fix up. That The e-10 forms a Gel in the carb bowl on that stuff. I had the carb off the 4wheeler and in the bowl was a darker fluid when dumped in gas instantly dispersed. With the motor cycle it is a honda 600cc single and it needs to layed on its side for a ten count if its been more than a few days since started. If i dont I can kick it 50 times have it start and stall 10 times before I can run it. In the puddle that is 12in across I get a 4in puddle of this gel in the middle.

If your using e-10 you could try and use the bowl drain. but the gel is probably collecting in the bottom of the tank and working to the bowl when shaking. use a mason jar to catch the bowl fuel and inspect it.

If youre already using rec gas sorry to waste your time.

a fuel stabilizer like stabil may help no matter what your using.

or something like marvel may alter the fuel chemistry enough to fix you up too.

Jerry in Shasta · 09-13-2018, 10:51 AM

Sounds to me like you may have some old has tank sealer. Some the old stuff was alcohol soluble and would foul the carb.

Just my W.A. G at the problem
Jb

duke36 · 09-13-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Abone

My two A's stop some times and I have to get out and tap on float chamber to get them going again , If I put in a carb cleaner in it seems to help.. gas gums up the needle valve..whats the best gas for A's and/or additive in California ?

Using the ethanol stabilizer from Home Depot in our garden , other equip. and classic cars after having same issue as you.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-13-2018, 12:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have NO GAS PROBLEMS, SOLD all my cars!
Bill Walkin'

GPierce · 09-13-2018, 12:57 PM

Ethanol will dissolve the resin in many fiberglass gas tanks if they were made with resins other than epoxy. The result is gooey mess in the carb..
Ethanol is also an excellent solvent. It dissolves the varnish build up older neglected fuel system. Once it dissolved all the old varnish it usually runs ok as long as you keep it fresh.

Y-Blockhead · 09-13-2018, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPierce

Ethanol will dissolve the resin in many fiberglass gas tanks if they were made with resins other than epoxy. The result is gooey mess in the carb..
Ethanol is also an excellent solvent. It dissolves the varnish build up older neglected fuel system. Once it dissolved all the old varnish it usually runs ok as long as you keep it fresh.

I think this is the solution to some of the problems we have with Ethanol. Modern "gas" doesn't keep as long as gas in the past because of the ethanol and lighter ends (butanes and pentanes) added to the gas.

Chris Haynes · 09-13-2018, 01:47 PM

A friend of mine came home to a garage floor covered with gasoline. The California gasoline had eaten a hole in her fuel line and the gas tank drained onto the floor.

johnneilson · 09-13-2018, 02:07 PM

MTBE was used in Cali for a while, all types or rubber hose failures during that time.

The current "eco-friendly, non-polluting, carbon emission-less, PC" summer blend has not been too bad this year. I still do add a little Sta-Bil to help with the lighter aromatics evaporation. Been driving the coupe every week but the tractor has been sitting.

John

Lona · 09-13-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I have NO GAS PROBLEMS, SOLD all my cars!
Bill Walkin'

Bill,
At our ages, no cars does not mean we don't still have have gas problems.

Glen

Y-Blockhead · 09-13-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnneilson

MTBE was used in Cali for a while, all types or rubber hose failures during that time.

MTBE was found to be poluting the ground water. That's why they stopped using it. Otherwise we would still have that in our gas also.

MTBE was used in other states besides California. New York was another big user.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-13-2018, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lona

Bill,
At our ages, no cars does not mean we don't still have have gas problems.

Glen

Glen, I NEVER had problems with our gas, except for lower gas mileage. SO, we must get the GOOD STUFF!
Bill Happy

40 Deluxe · 09-13-2018, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I have NO GAS PROBLEMS, SOLD all my cars!
Bill Walkin'

That doesn't mean YOU don't have gas problems!

Mike V. Florida · 09-13-2018, 10:24 PM

I feel you need to check into this further. If it were really the gas, every Model A in states with corn gas would have the same problem. Check and see what type of valve you have in the carb.

TerryH · 09-13-2018, 10:48 PM

I’ve had my Model A for almost 14 years now, and in California there are no options for non-ethanol gas. But there are thousands of Model A’s here, and I have never heard of one having major issues with the fuel. I don’t like it either, but it is an easy target to blame for all kinds of other ills....I do use MMO regularly.

31Abone · 09-14-2018, 12:41 AM

My neighbor's 28 just crapped out last week it was sticking float valve,I had two model A's that had the sticking float problem ,I put carb cleaner in and seemed to help ...tanks have no old sealer in them or rubber hoses..I think when an A sets for a week or two the fuel drys out in carb and makes needle valve stick kind of gummy type crap in the fuel....thats my opinion anyway.

Y-Blockhead · 09-14-2018, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Abone

My neighbor's 28 just crapped out last week it was sticking float valve,I had two model A's that had the sticking float problem ,I put carb cleaner in and seemed to help ...tanks have no old sealer in them or rubber hoses..I think when an A sets for a week or two the fuel drys out in carb and makes needle valve stick kind of gummy type crap in the fuel....thats my opinion anyway.

When I park my car I shut off the gas and idle it until it quits. I also add Seaform in my gas at every fill up. Never a problem.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-14-2018, 07:57 AM

Seems that crap gas problems are more common in HIGH HUMIDITY areas. Along with points oxidizing!!
Bill Dryplace

1928Mik · 09-14-2018, 08:16 AM

My ball valve was sticking also and I carried a small ball-peen hammer to tap the side of the carb if it quit on me. Last winter I took the valve out and cleaned it with carb cleaner and a Q-Tip. Also I used Seafoam in the gas, but since reading on here of the wonders of Marvel Mystery Oil, I've been using that this year. No sticking issues so far.

Karl Wescott · 09-14-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Seems that crap gas problems are more common in HIGH HUMIDITY areas. Along with points oxidizing!!
Bill Dryplace

Not surprising. Water is soluble in alcohol (and visa versa). So when e-gas is exposed to humidity in the air it will absorb water, if it becomes saturated and then cools the water will precipitate, often forming a gel like emulsion (scum) with the oils in the fuel.

Before e-gas you could buy a little bottle of methanol to dump into your tank to pick up any water at the bottom of the tank, parts stores sold it under various names.

30 Closed Cab PU · 09-14-2018, 11:49 AM

Is California Gas formulated different than the rest of the U.S.?

Jeff/Illinois · 09-14-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I have NO GAS PROBLEMS, SOLD all my cars!
Bill Walkin'

But, do YOU still get 'gummy and clogged up??

Jeff/Illinois · 09-14-2018, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

MTBE was found to be poluting the ground water. That's why they stopped using it. Otherwise we would still have that in our gas also.

MTBE was used in other states besides California. New York was another big user.

And that stuff was a real cancer causer pretty carcinogenic.

Dan Partain · 09-14-2018, 01:46 PM

I've never had a problem with water in my fuel until the last couple of years. I suspect it's either the cheap local gas station I've been buying gas from, or the tendancy of ethanol to pick up more water, or a combination of both. In any case it's causing a problem with my fuel filter and the float valve in my carb. I have the pencil filter in the tank, the iron fuel filter, and the filter in my carb all in good shape.

I was buying a new leaf blower yesterday and the subject of fuel, E10, and water came up. My friend who owns the saw shop told me of a product that he has used to help clear out water from fuel. He did some experimenting with the product and had a couple of small jars with old fuel and water that he did a test with.

The product is K100. I bought a small bottle and I'm going to run it through my Tudor fuel tank and then start buying my fuel at a better gas station from now on to see if that helps.

When I got home I searched the internet to see if I could find out more about K100 and found this video which was very similar to the test my friend had made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NegB8gRPMlU

Has anyone else had any experience with this product?

30 Closed Cab PU · 09-14-2018, 02:12 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Here is some info, I raised the same question recently. You can read and decide for your self. Especially interesting is the info from fuel-testers.

Please post your results/experience with the K100.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250776
http://www.fuel-testers.com/review_g..._products.html
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121018
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250757

WHN · 09-14-2018, 03:41 PM

Model A’s will run on almost anything. Use MMO, I think it works great.

corvette8n · 09-14-2018, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

Is California Gas formulated different than the rest of the U.S.?

Jay Leno says you can't event light it with a match.

daren007 · 09-14-2018, 05:30 PM

Sometimes my wife says I have a gas problem.

31 Woody · 09-14-2018, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

Is California Gas formulated different than the rest of the U.S.?

They make a big deal out of which formula of gas we are getting here. ‘Oh the Summer gas formula is rolling out, so prices are up $0.20/gallon.’ Then in the Fall we hear ‘Winter formula supply struggles have surged gas prices another $0.22 /gallon.’ Then of course there are the hurricanes, floods, wars, and other factors. Is the gas different? Well, the price sure is! Economics at work.

I keep waiting for the announcement that bootleg ‘49 State’ gas is $2.79 available Statewide. I will keep breathing in the meantime.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-16-2018, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

But, do YOU still get 'gummy and clogged up??

NO! Like they say, "WHEN YOU'RE OLD & PEE & POOP GOOD, YOU'RE DOING OK"
Bill Pooper

Tom Wesenberg · 09-16-2018, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31Abone

My neighbor's 28 just crapped out last week it was sticking float valve,I had two model A's that had the sticking float problem ,I put carb cleaner in and seemed to help ...tanks have no old sealer in them or rubber hoses..I think when an A sets for a week or two the fuel drys out in carb and makes needle valve stick kind of gummy type crap in the fuel....thats my opinion anyway.

I agree, and the corn crap can also make valves stick due to the sticky residue it leaves. MMO helps, and I always use it.

Jeff/Illinois · 09-16-2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I agree, and the corn crap can also make valves stick due to the sticky residue it leaves. MMO helps, and I always use it.

I use MMO here also. Had a sticking valve issue in the Flathead and that brought it right out of it.

They tell me today's gasoline is too 'dry' and you need a little lubricant for the old motors to make them work right.

09-13-2018, 10:38 AM	#1
31Abone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Big pine Ca 93513 Posts: 797	California Gas problem My two A's stop some times and I have to get out and tap on float chamber to get them going again , If I put in a carb cleaner in it seems to help.. gas gums up the needle valve..whats the best gas for A's and/or additive in California ?

09-13-2018, 10:41 AM	#2
MALAK Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Highland, CA Posts: 207	Re: California Gas problem Odd. I live in SoCal and have never had that kind of problem. I do use Marvel Mystery Oil with each tank of gas.

09-13-2018, 10:49 AM	#3
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: California Gas problem Im not in california. But have noticed in my motorcyle and a mini four wheeler a neighbor had me fix up. That The e-10 forms a Gel in the carb bowl on that stuff. I had the carb off the 4wheeler and in the bowl was a darker fluid when dumped in gas instantly dispersed. With the motor cycle it is a honda 600cc single and it needs to layed on its side for a ten count if its been more than a few days since started. If i dont I can kick it 50 times have it start and stall 10 times before I can run it. In the puddle that is 12in across I get a 4in puddle of this gel in the middle. If your using e-10 you could try and use the bowl drain. but the gel is probably collecting in the bottom of the tank and working to the bowl when shaking. use a mason jar to catch the bowl fuel and inspect it. If youre already using rec gas sorry to waste your time. a fuel stabilizer like stabil may help no matter what your using. or something like marvel may alter the fuel chemistry enough to fix you up too.

09-13-2018, 10:51 AM	#4
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: California Gas problem Sounds to me like you may have some old has tank sealer. Some the old stuff was alcohol soluble and would foul the carb. Just my W.A. G at the problem Jb __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

09-13-2018, 12:43 PM	#6
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: California Gas problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have NO GAS PROBLEMS, SOLD all my cars! Bill Walkin' __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-13-2018, 12:57 PM	#7
GPierce Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Germantown,TN Posts: 516	Re: California Gas problem Ethanol will dissolve the resin in many fiberglass gas tanks if they were made with resins other than epoxy. The result is gooey mess in the carb.. Ethanol is also an excellent solvent. It dissolves the varnish build up older neglected fuel system. Once it dissolved all the old varnish it usually runs ok as long as you keep it fresh.

09-13-2018, 01:47 PM	#9
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: California Gas problem A friend of mine came home to a garage floor covered with gasoline. The California gasoline had eaten a hole in her fuel line and the gas tank drained onto the floor. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

09-13-2018, 02:07 PM	#10
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,054	Re: California Gas problem MTBE was used in Cali for a while, all types or rubber hose failures during that time. The current "eco-friendly, non-polluting, carbon emission-less, PC" summer blend has not been too bad this year. I still do add a little Sta-Bil to help with the lighter aromatics evaporation. Been driving the coupe every week but the tractor has been sitting. John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

09-13-2018, 10:24 PM	#15
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: California Gas problem I feel you need to check into this further. If it were really the gas, every Model A in states with corn gas would have the same problem. Check and see what type of valve you have in the carb. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-13-2018, 10:48 PM	#16
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: California Gas problem I’ve had my Model A for almost 14 years now, and in California there are no options for non-ethanol gas. But there are thousands of Model A’s here, and I have never heard of one having major issues with the fuel. I don’t like it either, but it is an easy target to blame for all kinds of other ills....I do use MMO regularly. Last edited by TerryH; 09-14-2018 at 10:44 AM.

09-14-2018, 12:41 AM	#17
31Abone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Big pine Ca 93513 Posts: 797	Re: California Gas problem My neighbor's 28 just crapped out last week it was sticking float valve,I had two model A's that had the sticking float problem ,I put carb cleaner in and seemed to help ...tanks have no old sealer in them or rubber hoses..I think when an A sets for a week or two the fuel drys out in carb and makes needle valve stick kind of gummy type crap in the fuel....thats my opinion anyway.

09-14-2018, 07:57 AM	#19
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: California Gas problem Seems that crap gas problems are more common in HIGH HUMIDITY areas. Along with points oxidizing!! Bill Dryplace __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-14-2018, 08:16 AM	#20
1928Mik Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Zanesville Ohio USA Posts: 268	Re: California Gas problem My ball valve was sticking also and I carried a small ball-peen hammer to tap the side of the carb if it quit on me. Last winter I took the valve out and cleaned it with carb cleaner and a Q-Tip. Also I used Seafoam in the gas, but since reading on here of the wonders of Marvel Mystery Oil, I've been using that this year. No sticking issues so far. __________________ 1928 Niagara Blue Phaeton 1972 Olds 442 Convertible 1979 MGB -Life's Too Short To Drive Boring Cars-

09-14-2018, 11:49 AM	#22
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: California Gas problem Is California Gas formulated different than the rest of the U.S.?

09-14-2018, 01:46 PM	#25
Dan Partain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hangtown, CA Posts: 556	Re: California Gas problem I've never had a problem with water in my fuel until the last couple of years. I suspect it's either the cheap local gas station I've been buying gas from, or the tendancy of ethanol to pick up more water, or a combination of both. In any case it's causing a problem with my fuel filter and the float valve in my carb. I have the pencil filter in the tank, the iron fuel filter, and the filter in my carb all in good shape. I was buying a new leaf blower yesterday and the subject of fuel, E10, and water came up. My friend who owns the saw shop told me of a product that he has used to help clear out water from fuel. He did some experimenting with the product and had a couple of small jars with old fuel and water that he did a test with. The product is K100. I bought a small bottle and I'm going to run it through my Tudor fuel tank and then start buying my fuel at a better gas station from now on to see if that helps. When I got home I searched the internet to see if I could find out more about K100 and found this video which was very similar to the test my friend had made. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NegB8gRPMlU Has anyone else had any experience with this product?

09-14-2018, 02:12 PM	#26
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: California Gas problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Here is some info, I raised the same question recently. You can read and decide for your self. Especially interesting is the info from fuel-testers. Please post your results/experience with the K100. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250776 http://www.fuel-testers.com/review_g..._products.html https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121018 https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250757

09-14-2018, 03:41 PM	#27
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,822	Re: California Gas problem Model A’s will run on almost anything. Use MMO, I think it works great.

09-14-2018, 05:30 PM	#29
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: California Gas problem Sometimes my wife says I have a gas problem.