View Full Version : Smell of fuel but no sign of leaks
When riding the bike back last year and in January, I could smell fuel more than usual. Also seems to be using a lot, as £10 wasn't lasting very long, about 3 days doing around 25 miles a day, unless that is normal?
Now I haven't used it for a bit, it has been in my garage, took it to the folks for a bit while I needed the space and brought back to mine.
When opening the garage you can smell fuel, but not an overpowering smell of it. No signs of any leaks on the floor etc...
After reading the forum and a search, I have lifted the tank up and checked the hoses to make sure they are connected as they should and also are not cracked. All look okay from what I can see, should there be any clips on the pipe to the tank itself? as it just has the pipe on the connector?
Was going to book it in the garage to have a look but the local one was busy, and working during the week is not possible to get it anywhere. A friend of a friend is also busy at the moment so he cannot look at it either. I need to get it sorted as I need to get it MOT'd so I can use it :(
Any suggestions what it could be?
maviczap
09-06-12, 07:10 PM
Mine garage does too
I haven't found any leaks, I wonder if its the drain tube rusting away which allows fumes to leak out by the drain hole near the petrol cap
When I have been out for a ride, you can smell it then, but then it seems to come from the front around the handle bars :S
yorkie_chris
10-06-12, 07:02 AM
Hot engine makes petrol vaporise...
If you talk about fuel mileage it's better to work out your mpg rather than us taking a flying guess about how far a tenner gets you.
Sid Squid
10-06-12, 07:07 PM
What bike is it?
This would help.
Hot engine makes petrol vaporise...
If you talk about fuel mileage it's better to work out your mpg rather than us taking a flying guess about how far a tenner gets you.
I have, it was lasting about 3 days doing approx. 25 miles to work and back, so about 75 miles?
What bike is it?
This would help.
It is an 04 650S K3
The only thing I have done since getting the bike is change the exhaust, as it had a ART race can when I got it, I put on a MCS Oval RL one now.
Would that affect it at all? as it was okay before.
yorkie_chris
10-06-12, 09:36 PM
I have, it was lasting about 3 days doing approx. 25 miles to work and back, so about 75 miles?
And how much was the fuel?
konceppt
10-06-12, 09:59 PM
could be overfueling and you can smell the unburnt fuel?
Also check the tank overflow isnt blocked and that the seal around the cap is in good nick
Might be wise to check that no pipes are kinked.
As a guide my curvy tends to get about 120-125 miles out of a full tank (filled after the light comes on) before the light comes on again and a tenner also gets me about 75 miles
konceppt
10-06-12, 10:00 PM
Also i would say stick a hose clip on the pipe from your tank
I've got an SK6, had the same thing with mine last month. The smell got worse and worse over the course of a month, then one morning petrol was leaking onto my engine. It stopped after a minute, so I rode to work, no problem, nothing wrong after work either. Next morning same thing, petrol everywhere. :smt013
Did a bit of research, found a common fault with the Fuel injected SV's is the small rubber pipe between the two throttle bodies leaks if the clamps at either end aren't pinched tight enough. So I took the tank and air box off and pinched the two clamps tight. Problem solved, hope this helps! :smt109
yorkie_chris
12-06-12, 12:45 PM
Also i would say stick a hose clip on the pipe from your tank
A push fit is generally fine for these pipes, however the pipes can perish. For the cost of a replacement it may be worthwhile.
However if a carbed bike smells of fuel after running... that is fine. The warmth of the engine evaporates some fuel, this is normal.
Geordie Mick
15-06-12, 02:15 PM
found a common fault with the Fuel injected SV's is the small rubber pipe between the two throttle bodies leaks if the clamps at either end aren't pinched tight enough. So I took the tank and air box off and pinched the two clamps tight. Problem solved, hope this helps! :smt109
Yep, mine does that - particularly if it's been sitting unused for a while (which sounds like what you're describing N77). Haven't been bothered to take the air box off yet to sort it. Should really...
Mind, it got through the MOT OK like that because, as JON69 says, it only does it at first start up.
Well had a look over again with it running but still cannot see anything visible, apart from a crack on one of the drain pipes I assume coming from the tank on the right hand side.
So I have took it to a mate of a mate to get it serviced, MOT'd and a check over to see if he can find anything.
Fingers crossed [-o<
Well the guy couldn't find a leak but it looked wet around the back of the injector so has fitted new seals to them both to be on the safe side.
Going to pick it up tomorrow all sorted with oil, filter, plugs, full brake strip, adjusted chain, air filter cleaned, stripped throttle bodies, balanced and a new MOT.
So should be like new :D
Was going to sell it but I think I might hang on to it a bit longer now after all that lot :lol:
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