Yamaha Ring Free Fuel Additive

[xcsp]

Came across the following info posted on a snowmobile forum, thought it may be of value for those who may use it in your motorcycles as well.

Link (page 20, post# 200):

https://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/432-rush-switchback-pro-ride-chassis/531672-gasoline-tips-your-rush-20.html

DO NOT USE IT WITH ETHANOL FUEL. It contains methanol in it and it will destroy aluminum and rubber parts in our snowmobiles, Also Ring Free is a strong solvent and with methanol and ethanol mixed together it raised the alcohol level to 20% this will cause engine damage. Ring Free, methanol based, with trimetmyl benzene Cg- H12, and xylene.

I looked at the labels on the bottle of Ring Free I have on hand and nowhere does it warn of not using it with fuels containing ethanol.

 

[fjr eh]

Came across the following info posted on a snowmobile forum, thought it may be of value for those who may use it in your motorcycles as well.

DO NOT USE IT WITH ETHANOL FUEL. It contains methanol in it and it will destroy aluminum and rubber parts in our snowmobiles, Also Ring Free is a strong solvent and with methanol and ethanol mixed together it raised the alcohol level to 20% this will cause engine damage. Ring Free, methanol based, with trimetmyl benzene Cg- H12, and xylene.

I looked at the labels on the bottle of Ring Free I have on hand and nowhere does it warn of not using it with fuels containing ethanol.

 

[Ignacio]

Came across the following info posted on a snowmobile forum, thought it may be of value for those who may use it in your motorcycles as well.

DO NOT USE IT WITH ETHANOL FUEL. It contains methanol in it and it will destroy aluminum and rubber parts in our snowmobiles, Also Ring Free is a strong solvent and with methanol and ethanol mixed together it raised the alcohol level to 20% this will cause engine damage. Ring Free, methanol based, with trimetmyl benzene Cg- H12, and xylene.

I looked at the labels on the bottle of Ring Free I have on hand and nowhere does it warn of not using it with fuels containing ethanol.

Linky source? When people post stuff on forums....it's often context and one should remain skeptical...especially 3rd or more hands. :glare:

In fact, Yamaha specifically suggests using Ring Free on a page specifically about ethanol-enhanced gasoline and outboards.

Personally, I'll stick with buying fuel from reputable and higher volume dealers and not worry about additives.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's what the Label says:

"This special fomulation also helps protect electronic parts and fitting in the fuel system against the corrosive effects of sulfur compounds in ethanol (E10) fuels. May be used with Yamalube Fuel Stabalizer & Conditioner PLUS."

https://www.simyamaha.com/Yamaha_Yamalube_Ring_Free_Fuel_Additive_p/acc-rngfr-pl-32.htm

 

[dcarver]

Yeah, but, Iggie, I had carbonized valves leading to low compression and I only run 'top grade' fuel e.g. Chevron, Shell, and even hit the tank with a Techron every 5k miles to be sure.. but still I got bit.

Since running 'Sea Foam' about every 5th tank I will say KrZy8 at nearly 150k *seems* to be happier. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Ring Free from, all of places, a BMW mechanic, a Kawi tech, and a trusted Yama tech servicing motobikes and seacraft.

So yeah, I'm an additive guy now. :huh: :lol:

 

[SkooterG]

Yeah, I am an additive guy now too. For the last 25,000 miles or so I have been using Ring Free at pretty much every fill-up.

Sure wish I could have seen the inside of my old 226,000 mile FJR's engine.

 

[VTFJR13]

Yamaha ring free is some good stuff. It really helps in keeping carbon deposits from building up on you valves,piston and intake track. I use it as a preventative maintanence every so often in the fuel tank. I was told by a yamaha rep that it is a high concentration of chevron techron made to yamaha specs. If you notice when you pour it out of the big bottle it is like syrup. I have been using it for years and no ill effects.

 

[64Y80]

I found the following statement on the Yamaha website concerning octane very interesting. While I've seen many general warnings concerning running higher than recommended octane fuels, this is the first time I've seen a reason attached to the warning.

Use Ring Free Plus in every tank, and don’t regularly exceed 87 octane fuel unless specified by the manufacturer. Using fuel

above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up. Not only

will Ring Free Plus remove carbon, gum, and varnish and help keep your fuel system clean, it protects the fuel system’s internal

components form corrosion.

 

[Fred W]

"Using fuel above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up."

Hmmm... I'm going to want some corroboration on that claim. I understand where the concept comes from: Higher octane fuels being less volatile will ignite somewhat slower (not pre-ignite). But, everything I've ever read says that the actual burn rate once ignited is the same.

Smells a bit like some Yamaha marketing spin.

 

[xcsp]

Came across the following info posted on a snowmobile forum, thought it may be of value for those who may use it in your motorcycles as well.

DO NOT USE IT WITH ETHANOL FUEL. It contains methanol in it and it will destroy aluminum and rubber parts in our snowmobiles, Also Ring Free is a strong solvent and with methanol and ethanol mixed together it raised the alcohol level to 20% this will cause engine damage. Ring Free, methanol based, with trimetmyl benzene Cg- H12, and xylene.

I looked at the labels on the bottle of Ring Free I have on hand and nowhere does it warn of not using it with fuels containing ethanol.

Linky source? When people post stuff on forums....it's often context and one should remain skeptical...especially 3rd or more hands. :glare:

In fact, Yamaha specifically suggests using Ring Free on a page specifically about ethanol-enhanced gasoline and outboards.

Personally, I'll stick with buying fuel from reputable and higher volume dealers and not worry about additives.

Updated my original posting to include the link to where I found the information about a test of Ring Free.

I understand you can't believe all you read about any given product be it first-hand or third-hand, just thought some may want to see the results of what a guy, a chemist in the fuel industry for 30 yrs., not being paid by anyone, found when he tested a product with ethanol-laced fuel. May not be as critical in a 4-stroke engine as it is in a 2-stroke such as used in a snowmobile application, especially with today's strict emissions and poor fuels.

If you have time to kill(and possibly interested), read the thread I referenced from the beginning and see the findings from various tests of fuels & many off-the-shelf additives.

Again, I have personally have used Ring Free (with ethanol-free fuel) and haven't noticed any ill effects, or improvements for that matter. Really the only reason I have it is by recommendation of my dealer-figured it couldn't hurt?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's the Direct link to the info from XCSP:

https://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/5877719-post200.html

"I just completed the testing on ring free, first off, DO NOT USE IT WITH ETHANOL FUEL. It contains methanol in it and it will destroy aluminum and rubber parts in our snowmobiles, Also ring free is a strong solvent and with methanol and ethanol mixed together it raised the alcohol level to 20% this will cause engine damage. ring free, methanol based, with trimetmyl benzene Cg- H12, and xylene, LAB TESTED."

 

[madmike2]

Yeah, but, Iggie, I had carbonized valves leading to low compression and I only run 'top grade' fuel e.g. Chevron, Shell, and even hit the tank with a Techron every 5k miles to be sure.. but still I got bit.

Since running 'Sea Foam' about every 5th tank I will say KrZy8 at nearly 150k *seems* to be happier. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Ring Free from, all of places, a BMW mechanic, a Kawi tech, and a trusted Yama tech servicing motobikes and seacraft.

So yeah, I'm an additive guy now. :huh: :lol:

Sooooo....SacMike and I are not the only ones to report carbon deposits/issues. :dribble:

Mine might have stemmed from the fact that I began using additives on a carbon filled bike and they broke free....but I'll never know for sure.

I'll guaran-damn-tee you that I don't ride mine as hard as Scooter.....

I will be using Ring Free on a regular basis once I get the bike back.

 

[xcsp]

"Using fuel above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up."

Hmmm... I'm going to want some corroboration on that claim. I understand where the concept comes from: Higher octane fuels being less volatile will ignite somewhat slower (not pre-ignite). But, everything I've ever read says that the actual burn rate once ignited is the same.

Smells a bit like some Yamaha marketing spin.

I asked the question on the forum I referenced and "the Chemist" replied with this:

Using a higher octane will not increase carbon build up, If the octane level was to high you would see unburned gas coming out of your exhaust pipe.

 

[Fred W]

"Using fuel above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up."

Hmmm... I'm going to want some corroboration on that claim. I understand where the concept comes from: Higher octane fuels being less volatile will ignite somewhat slower (not pre-ignite). But, everything I've ever read says that the actual burn rate once ignited is the same.

Smells a bit like some Yamaha marketing spin.

I asked the question on the forum I referenced and "the Chemist" replied with this:

Using a higher octane will not increase carbon build up, If the octane level was to high you would see unburned gas coming out of your exhaust pipe.

Same mythical (I believe) concept: i.e. that higher octane fuels burn slower than lower octane fuel. Here's a decent reference to that being a myth.

Assuming that there is no pre-ignition (detonation) occurring, any octane fuel of the correct air fuel ratio will be readily ignited by the ignition spark and the fuel burn rate is the same regardless of octane rating.

 

[LAF]

Well I use Sea Foam, Marvel Mystery Oil, and TechTron (or whatever it is called), and now Marine Sta Bil, so I should have a pile of ash soon.

Sea Foam for carbon, Marvel for top end lube, and TechTron for fuel system cleaning, Sta Bil for the phase separation. Been using them in cars and bikes for 15 years or so. Never needed top end work, injectors cleaned, or seen huge carbon build up on butterfly valves or piston tops.

I can not emphatically say it is the result of "better living through chemistry" but never had any issues and in the Harley's I was in them a bunch and would have seen either piston build up or build up on the twin 50 mm I was running on the Road Glide.

I did look at the ring free last service and passed but it may be cheaper then the Chevron I buy at Advanced Auto depending on concentration and dosage. I use a half bottle of the chevron as it treats 12 gallons so get two uses out of it.

 

[HotRodZilla]

"Using fuel above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up."

Hmmm... I'm going to want some corroboration on that claim. I understand where the concept comes from: Higher octane fuels being less volatile will ignite somewhat slower (not pre-ignite). But, everything I've ever read says that the actual burn rate once ignited is the same.

Smells a bit like some Yamaha marketing spin.

I asked the question on the forum I referenced and "the Chemist" replied with this:

Using a higher octane will not increase carbon build up, If the octane level was to high you would see unburned gas coming out of your exhaust pipe.

How do we know that this guy is really a chemist? And if he really is a chemist, how do we know he's a good one? Knowing off-hand that the "blowing liquid fuel" out of the tail-pipe is baloney, I'm wondering what this guy really knows and what he is just spouting off to sound cool.

 

[LAF]

"Using fuel above the recommended octane level for your engine can lead to incomplete combustion and contribute to carbon build up."

Hmmm... I'm going to want some corroboration on that claim. I understand where the concept comes from: Higher octane fuels being less volatile will ignite somewhat slower (not pre-ignite). But, everything I've ever read says that the actual burn rate once ignited is the same.

Smells a bit like some Yamaha marketing spin.

I asked the question on the forum I referenced and "the Chemist" replied with this:

Using a higher octane will not increase carbon build up, If the octane level was to high you would see unburned gas coming out of your exhaust pipe.

How do we know that this guy is really a chemist? And if he really is a chemist, how do we know he's a good one? Knowing off-hand that the "blowing liquid fuel" out of the tail-pipe is baloney, I'm wondering what this guy really knows and what he is just spouting off to sound cool.

I would think unburnt fuel would find it's way past the rings into the oil pan which would be bad for sure. But I do not see how it would roll out your exhaust?

 

[xcsp]

How do we know that this guy is really a chemist? And if he really is a chemist, how do we know he's a good one? Knowing off-hand that the "blowing liquid fuel" out of the tail-pipe is baloney, I'm wondering what this guy really knows and what he is just spouting off to sound cool.

Guess you'd need to read the posts by The Chemist in this link:

https://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/432-rush-switchback-pro-ride-chassis/531672-gasoline-tips-your-rush-20.html

and decide for yourself. I found much of the info that was discussed in that forum's thread interesting & thought some here may be interested as well.

As for the raw fuel out the exhaust, has anyone ever seen it, under normal conditions? I haven't using any fuel (different octane ratings).

Only you can decide to believe the info or not.

 

[SacramentoMike]

How do we know that this guy is really a chemist? And if he really is a chemist, how do we know he's a good one? Knowing off-hand that the "blowing liquid fuel" out of the tail-pipe is baloney, I'm wondering what this guy really knows and what he is just spouting off to sound cool.

Guess you'd need to read the posts by The Chemist in this link:

https://www.hardcores...ur-rush-20.html

OK, I read hi's post's, and I notice that he put's an apostrophe in every word that end's with an "s." So I KNOW he's (I put that one in myself) not an English professor, so he probably IS a chemist.

To summarize, then, I guess I should definitely put Ring Free in every tank of gas from now on. Unless it has ethanol. Or I shouldn't. Or not. :blink: