Fuel leakage

heartshot · Oct 26th, 2009, 03:42 PM

"are the US bikes different to the UK bikes"??
yes ours are mandated to stay on the right...I mean correct........ side of the road

...........just kidding!

Hobbit · Oct 26th, 2009, 03:46 PM

so thats the real reason they all pull to the left

NEWHD74FAN · Oct 27th, 2009, 01:17 AM

Bottom line...gas spillage out of a modern sealed screw on cap is NOT normal and if it happens, do not top off the tank and find out why closed venting system is not working, (especially for those with closed California EVAP Control System that has been standard on HD bikes since the mid 90's or so). Excess fuel is "dumped along with the vapors into a partially filled charcoal cannister. When bike is first started up, vacuum pulls the excess fuel and vapors" into the A/F intake manifold or carburetor/aircleaner on those so equipped. Look for that "funny black plastic cannister" with 3 hoses coming out of it and make sure none of the hoses are kinked or pinched.

Hoople · Oct 27th, 2009, 01:32 AM

I am so glad to have found out today that this problem is NOT normal. My cap was tight and the gas would really leak out until I used maybe a Pint of fuel after a complete fill up.. But I may have found the reason why! Once I knew this was not normal, I went out to the garage to really inspect this cap and seal. What I found was when the tank was painted and the filler hole was Masked off, (however they do it when it is sprayed) the masking allowed paint to be sprayed at the sealing point of tank where the cap makes sealing contact. About 140 degrees (less than 1/2 circle) of the complete sealing area had been painted. It was thick paint since it was clear coated. That paint prevented the cap from making a good seal all the way around the tank sealing lip. I chipped off the paint and now it seems to seal. I wont know until tomorrow when I fill up to the top, but at this point I am sure that was the problem. I also now understand how the vent works also because you can see the vent hole in the tank neck.

Looking foward to trying it out and will post results.

Hoop!

Well it Worked! Just took the bike to the gas station. Bike leaning to left & filled to Tippy Top. Put cap on, started bike and hit the road. Dry as a bone. I bet I was leaking out the overflow tube on the side of the frame but that is expected. No gas on the pants any more.
And best of all I did not have to go to my dealer.

Thanks to all!

Hoop!

glider · Oct 27th, 2009, 02:47 PM

One less mystery to solve

NEWHD74FAN · Nov 14th, 2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcol37836

Thanks for the advise!!

Hoop, if you go to the dentist, I mean HD dealer, let me know what they tell you about the leakage.

Thanks Hoop!!,

I'll go home this afternoon and check and see if there is any paint on the sealing area. Hopefull there is and it's removal will solve my problem.

Thanks to everyone!!\

Wayne

Just wanted to give everyone an update......

I think mine is fixed too. I checked the seal on it after Hoople said something about the "paint" that was on his. There was some paint on mine too, so I cleaned it off, and so far, knock on wood, it hasn't leaked since.

The one thing that really upset me when it happened the first time, was that the gas came out when I had to stop really quick, and it flew up in my face! I'm just thankful that I ALWAYS ride with some klind of glasses!! I was in some really heavy traffic at the time and if it had gotten in my eyes...............

That coulda been ugly, specially with the little lady on the back!!!

This forum is the BEST tool that I have found for my bike. I won't do anything to it with out checking here first!!!!

Ride Safe and watch out for the other guy!!

Wayne

Glad you got the problem sorted Wayne

rancid · Nov 16th, 2009, 05:16 AM

i wont fill any tank to the top on the side stand, once upright the tank is over full. have a look one day, stand the bike up with the cap off after you fill it up...

Oct 26th, 2009, 03:42 PM	#11
heartshot Start The Engine Ride: 2005 ultra Join Date: Sep 27th, 2009 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 30 My Mood:	Re: Fuel leakage "are the US bikes different to the UK bikes"?? yes ours are mandated to stay on the right...I mean correct........ side of the road...........just kidding!

Oct 26th, 2009, 03:46 PM	#12
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 2009 FAST 103 Street Bob Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 7,625 My Mood:	Re: Fuel leakage so thats the real reason they all pull to the left __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 27th, 2009, 01:17 AM	#13
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,715 My Mood:	Re: Fuel leakage Bottom line...gas spillage out of a modern sealed screw on cap is NOT normal and if it happens, do not top off the tank and find out why closed venting system is not working, (especially for those with closed California EVAP Control System that has been standard on HD bikes since the mid 90's or so). Excess fuel is "dumped along with the vapors into a partially filled charcoal cannister. When bike is first started up, vacuum pulls the excess fuel and vapors" into the A/F intake manifold or carburetor/aircleaner on those so equipped. Look for that "funny black plastic cannister" with 3 hoses coming out of it and make sure none of the hoses are kinked or pinched. __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Oct 27th, 2009, 01:32 AM	#14
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 506	I am so glad to have found out today that this problem is NOT normal. My cap was tight and the gas would really leak out until I used maybe a Pint of fuel after a complete fill up.. But I may have found the reason why! Once I knew this was not normal, I went out to the garage to really inspect this cap and seal. What I found was when the tank was painted and the filler hole was Masked off, (however they do it when it is sprayed) the masking allowed paint to be sprayed at the sealing point of tank where the cap makes sealing contact. About 140 degrees (less than 1/2 circle) of the complete sealing area had been painted. It was thick paint since it was clear coated. That paint prevented the cap from making a good seal all the way around the tank sealing lip. I chipped off the paint and now it seems to seal. I wont know until tomorrow when I fill up to the top, but at this point I am sure that was the problem. I also now understand how the vent works also because you can see the vent hole in the tank neck. Looking foward to trying it out and will post results. Hoop! Well it Worked! Just took the bike to the gas station. Bike leaning to left & filled to Tippy Top. Put cap on, started bike and hit the road. Dry as a bone. I bet I was leaking out the overflow tube on the side of the frame but that is expected. No gas on the pants any more. And best of all I did not have to go to my dealer. Thanks to all! Hoop! Last edited by NEWHD74FAN; Nov 14th, 2009 at 03:04 AM. Reason: Merge Posts

Oct 27th, 2009, 02:47 PM	#15
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Fuel leakage One less mystery to solve __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 16th, 2009, 05:16 AM	#17
rancid Warming The Wheels Ride: fxdf Join Date: Feb 18th, 2009 Posts: 93 My Mood:	Re: Fuel leakage i wont fill any tank to the top on the side stand, once upright the tank is over full. have a look one day, stand the bike up with the cap off after you fill it up...

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Fuel leakage

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