Too much gas?

[kerrfunk]

For lack of any better idea of where to put this thread... "GS stories"

Just returned from a 90 mile ride. Gassed up about a half mile before returning home. Parked in garage, as normal, except I put it up on the center stand, thinking maybe I'll change the oil tomorrow.

Forty minutes later I notice the distinct smell of gasoline in the house.

I check the bike and sure enough gas has been bubbling out around the gascap. bubbling up the clearcoat on the tank, for that matter.

I roll it out into the driveway, rock the bike side to side a bit, and park it on its side stand.


So was it the combination of hot bike + center stand + less than half a mile since filling up that caused this lovely scenario?

 

[Guest]

Arent these caps supposed to be vented?
Perhaps yours is defective?

 

[crazypaint]

sounds like the hose that relieves the gas pressure is clogged

 

[kerrfunk]

Arent these caps supposed to be vented?
Perhaps yours is defective?

Well, I think it was seeping through the vented cap.

sounds like the hose that relieves the gas pressure is clogged

Is that hose downstream from the carbs? I got the feeling this was a problem upstream from the carbs.

But I don't often know what I'm talking about.

 

[Guest]

I have been told that if you fill the tank up to far heat makes the gas expand causing it to come out the gas cap. But I wouldnt think heat from the motor would do this.

 

[tkent02]

Is your tank coated inside?
If it is, check that the tiny vent hole in the right side of the filler neck is open. It's a round hole, about 1mm in diameter, a litle way down the side of the neck. If it is not opem, the air expanding in the rest of the tank can't escape, so it pushes fuel out through the gas cap which is vented.
I always open the vent a lot bigger, just lets me top off the tank quicker.

If that's not it, parking in the sun with a really full tank, the fuel itself will expand enough to push some out. I did this to the beautiful virgin tank on my 750/1000 Projectile the other day. Topped it off to go somewhere, ended up not going, next morning with the garage door open, the sun hit the tank, gas came out, now the paint job is wrinkled on one side.

I know better, just wasn't thinking at the time.

 

[marvinsc]

Never a good idea to fill it all the way to the brim, especially in hot weather.

 

[hillntx]

I had the same issue with my 650. Filled it up too much and the heat of the engine and the warmer above ground air caused the fuel to expand and leak out ruining a custom paint job. Not real pleased with that, now I leave an air gap when topping off.

 

[Jagir]

For lack of any better idea of where to put this thread... "GS stories"

maybe rephrase it and put it in "tips and tricks"?
It's definitely a 'tip' for me....