In fact, there may be even larger issues with gas in our older cars: there's considerable info out there asserting that the use of gasoline containing ethanol isn't good for older cars. The idea is basically this -- ethanol attracts and absorbs water, and water can separate out in storage, including in one's fuel tank. Among other things, this water constituent can cause corrosion on older car parts, including the carburetor, and engine wear. (According to some, newer cars aren't as prone to suffering corrosion as much, because the parts that come in contact with fuel are now made with different metallic compositions than in older cars. One the other hand, there are some die-hards who claim that ethanol-laden gas is bad for all cars -- even newer ones -- but I don't know how much stock to put in those claims.) Similar issues of corrosion and poor starting/running have supposedly been seen in boat motors and lawn mowers -- even newer ones.
For this reason, I've started adding special additive to my gas at every fill-up. I've been using a product called Startron, but Sta-bil also makes a "marine" version that works similarly. Both products are supposed to address the ethanol-water issue, thus lessening the chances of corrosion and wear. In fact, a lot of boat and lawn mower owners say they've had lots of trouble just keeping their motors starting and running smoothly on ethanol-laden gas, but say that using Startron or marine Sta-bil solves these problems. These products also act as a fuel preservative, the same as regular Sta-bil, BTW.
I don't know personally if all this is true about ethanol-laden gas, but there's plenty of claims/info out there indicating that it is. Perhaps others in the group have some input on this.
At any rate, I think that Sta-bil is a good idea for the winter, and I'd be inclined toward recommending the marine Sta-bil over the standard version.
Richard
http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_addi ... _list.html
--- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> NASCAR country!
> I'm a NASCAR nut.24,14,29.Usually spend a week in Avondale,AZ for the spring race in my RV in March.Is it ok to run Stab-bil in the Honda's fuel tank?It's not going to be driven much this winter.Snow didn't amount to much,but it is cold out.Last weekend was mid seventies.Todays high 38.
> Take Care,
> Laurie+Lil Honda
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: richmccolman
> To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 11:19 AM
> Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> Okay - so I guess I wasn't far off the mark imagining a lot of downshifting in your area, Laurie.
> I'm in NC, around the Raleigh-Durham area. Much flatter terrain than where you are, and only ~300 ft above sea level. Even still, I don't drive my coupe out on highways much. And with fewer grades than you have, I suspect I don't have to downshift and rev up as much as you have to.
> Have fun in the snow!
> Richard
> --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > Hi Richard,
> > Prescott is a mile high city.But there are lots of ups and downs.We're not on a plateau.It is considered a mountain community because some areas go up to 6500 ft.I live at about 5300(Prescott County) and Prescott is at a mile.I usually just drive her to work every couple of weeks. There are areas i won't even go because i would have to downshift and that would probably tick people off behind me.Some areas i have to get a good run going.Definitely not an non-adjusting carburetor region.But i deal with it. I don't expect any more than the car can give. I'm still having a blast with her.Not going to worry about the wiper motor right now,especially going in to winter.Won't drive it in bad weather.She'll just be a garage queen that i adoringly look at.I am looking for a trailer,though that i can pull behind my RV.Chance of snow tonight.Where are you located?
> > Take Care,Laurie
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: richmccolman
> > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 4:42 AM
> > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > Laurie - Do you have many long inclines on the roads where you live? (I'm having visions of lots of 2nd- and 3rd-gear driving in a little Honda 600.) Or are you on a high plateau?
> > Good luck with your wiper motor!
> > Take care,
> > Richard
> > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > > Richard,
> > > That was a once in a lifetime trip! Honda never even hiccuped.Didn't like the altitude much going up to Flagstaff, but we did it.Runs fine here at altitude (5400-5600ft)Now just have to do something about my wiper motor.It groans when turned on.Bought a refurbished one from Ray Cave.Now just have to talk with my mechanic.
> > > Take care,LaurieOriginal Message -----
> > > From: richmccolman
> > > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 4:46 AM
> > > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > > Great stories, Laurie! I bet the trip to Toronto and in a Honda 600 was quite an experience.
> > > Best of luck with your coupe. Let me know how you fare finding a spring.
> > > Take care,
> > > Richard
> > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > > > Hi Richard,
> > > > Of all the cool cars i've had and let go,the Honda was the car i missed the most.Drove my original from Ca.to Toronto, Canada and back i n 74'.Spent the summer at our family cottage. Had a blast! Vowed i would someday have another.I do now ,and love just seeing her profile under her cover in my garage.Kisses to my Baby car. We were in our 4th of July parade here in Prescott,Az.WOW! What a reception from radio broadcasts,TV etc.I belong to Prescott Antique Car Club.My car won in a car show against Bill Colfords car.Not sure if you know him,but he is a Honda guy.He was the main instrument to my finding my car. Sorry to blather on and on.Too many stories...(fun stuff). Take Care and Love your Baby ,Laurie
> > > > From: richmccolman
> > > > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 4:15 AM
> > > > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > > > Hi Laurie -- yes, I have a coupe -- it's pop orange. I owned a pale yellow sedan back in the '70s. I always thought the coupes were especially cute, so that's what I went for when the "600 bug" came back and bit me a couple of years ago.
> > > > Good luck - Richard
> > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > > > > Thanx again ,Richard
> > > > > I'll let you know if i run in to any probs. Is your car a Coupe? What color? Mine is Green,,just like the one i bought in 1972. Bumper is different as it's manufacter date is 11/71.But was sold as a 72.
> > > > > H'ppy Honda'ing,Laurie
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: richmccolman
> > > > > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 7:04 PM
> > > > > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > > > > Glad to help, Laurie, and good luck finding the spring. Let me know if you have trouble getting what you need -- if so, I'll be happy to send you my extra one.
> > > > > Richard
> > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > > > > > Hi Richard,
> > > > > > Thanks for the spring info.There is a Lowe's about 45 min from me(live sort of in the boonie's).I'll check it out the next time i'm out that way. Might have weather coming our way on friday... not ready for it yet!! I'll keep your post and let you know if i have any probs.Thanx for the offer of your second spring, that's so nice.One thing about Honda Baby Car people is that they are very sharing and giving.
> > > > > > Thank You,Laurie
> > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > From: richmccolman
> > > > > > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > > Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 4:55 PM
> > > > > > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > > > > > Hi Laurie - The spring I got is 3/8" x 2" x .035". (That's 3/8" diameter, 2" long including the loop-hooks on the ends, with the spring's wire diameter of .035".) The safe working load is 0.94 lbs.
> > > > > > Do you have any Lowe's home improvement stores in your area? (It looks like most of the Lowe's stores in AZ are clustered around Phoenix and Tucson, with one in Prescott and one in Show Low.) If so, you might be able to get the same exact item I did - a two-pack of these springs. If not, and if you can't find a good source of similar springs somewhere else, let me know and I'd be happy to send you the second one out of my two-pack.
> > > > > > Note that the lower attachment point for the spring -- a little tab with a tiny notch that hangs below the opening to the air cleaner intake -- might need to be bent slightly forward or rearward to allow the flap to stay firmly open when opened with the lever and also stay firmly closed when closed with the lever. (You'll see what I mean if this turns out to be an issue for you.) It's simple to bend it to the right position, and will be necessary if the tab had ever gotten bent out of its optimal position at some time in the past, as mine was.
> > > > > > Richard
> > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "Laurie" wrote:
> > > > > > > Rich,what size spring did you get? My car was bought restored but the guy i bought it from disabled the flap so it just 'flaps'.Getting cold here in No.Az.Only drive the car every couple of weeks but i would like it in working order.Thanx,Laurie + 1972 Honda z600 Coupr.
> > > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > > From: richmccolman
> > > > > > > To:
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
> > > > > > > Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 9:28 AM
> > > > > > > Subject: [2cylinderhondas] Re: loose air intake temp flap
> > > > > > > Bought a spring at Lowe's and put it on -- temp control lever/flap works great now.
> > > > > > > Thanks for the input!
> > > > > > > Richard
> > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "richmccolman" wrote:
> > > > > > > > Ahh, yes -- I see now. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on that. I suspected that those crimps on the lever may have been intended as a retainer for the spring hook, but wasn't sure. This is confirmation.
> > > > > > > > Now I just have to figure out what sort of spring to use. I may end up having to buy several in a particular length range -- ones with different amounts of tension -- and see what works best.
> > > > > > > > Thanks again,
> > > > > > > > Richard
> > > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "twincarb600" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > The spring will mount or go around the rod just up from the pivot point where it is horizonal. if you look close you can see crimp marks on the shaft to keep it from sliding off that section of rod. If you look at figure 2-62 in the Coupe Maintenance manual you can see a picture that might help. It also shows on page 29 of the Coupe owners manual.
> > > > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "richmccolman" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > Okay, here's what will seem to some like a dumb question:
> > > > > > > > > > Does the upper end of the spring attach to the intake air temp control lever where it pivots -- the part of the lever at the rotational axis -- or it is attached further up/out on the lever handle? (I'm trying to figure out whether the spring merely pulls down on the pivoting shaft all the time to bind it a little and keep it from moving due simply to friction, or whether the spring biases the lever toward either one end position of the lever's range of rotation or the other, forcing it to rotate to one extreme of rotation or the other once it's pushed by hand.)
> > > > > > > > > > I looked for images that would show where the upper end of the spring attaches, but none were clear and close enough to show this in detail. The parts breakdown is of no real use, of course, because it shows an exploded view, with all the parts separated from each other.
> > > > > > > > > > If I had the original spring in hand, I think I'd be able to figure all this out based upon the spring's length and tension characteristics, but I'm actually missing the spring. My thought was to try finding a few generic spring replacements and try them one-at-a-time. But since I don't know for sure where the original spring was supposed to attach to the lever, I'm not sure what length and tension comes close to being correct.
> > > > > > > > > > Apologies for my ignorance - guidance would be appreciated!
> > > > > > > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > > > > > > Richard
> > > > > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "richmccolman" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > Oh, wow - thanks a bunch for pointing that out! Indeed there is no spring there. Didn't even realize I was missing a part.
> > > > > > > > > > > Now I just have to go about finding that spring, or a generic one with similar length & tension. I wonder if anyone has any pointers on a source for one...
> > > > > > > > > > > Richard
> > > > > > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "twincarb600" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > Or you could replace the missing spring that was suppose to hold between summer/winter.
> > > > > > > > > > > > --- In
2cylinderhondas@yahoogroups.com
, "richmccolman" wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi guys - the rubber air intake temperature control flap on my air cleaner is loose to the point that I can set the flap for the cold-weather position (needed now that it's getting colder here in NC), but within a couple of minutes of vibration with the engine running, the flap will flop open to the warm-weather position. It looks like, over time, the rubber flap may have contracted just enough that the portion surrounding the metal temp control lever shaft is no longer a snug fit between the two sides of the sheet-metal intake snoot of the air cleaner.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > I'm contemplating eliminating the slack by cutting a slot into one side of a small flat washer and jamming the washer between the flap's pivot (and around the metal handle shaft) on one side and the adjacent side of the intake snoot. Another option, I suppose, would be to squeeze the two sides of the intake snoot together with a large pair of vice grips just enough to re-establish mechanical tension between the snoot and the rubber flap. But before I do either of these things, I wanted to check and see if anyone on the list has dealt with this sort of problem in a better way.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Richard