Seeping Tank

[Tony_BLY]

Hi All

I am after some advice/shared experiences :shock: (ooe-er Missus). It appears that I have a fuel leak, well no, I definitely have a fuel leak. But it's a b*stard to locate.

To cut a long story short, it appears to be coming from the fuel tap, where it fits to the tank, or possibly the fuel sensor nut. Its hard to tell ... mechanic reckons it will be seeping from there (given the residue around this zone and onto pipes below) when the bike is running, due to engine vibration. Explaining, PROBABLY why its not like a drip, drip type leak.

Reckons only way to cure is to remove tank, drain (obviously) remove all tank attachments (e.g. fuel tap, sensor) and reseal and refit.

So, has anyone had this problem (mine is a W curvy 2000)? Any hints for removal e.g. apart from the obvious ones like dont decide to take up smoking at the same time as starting this job :lol: .

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Tony from rainy Burnley

[jambo]

Not a hugely difficult job, had to take a mate's curvey SV tank off after fuel started seeping past the fuel tap under the paint (worth checking if the paint has bubbled around the seal).

We just sanded the paint back to metal, mounted the fuel tap back on and touched up with a petrol resistant paint around the area to stop corrosion, but there's probably a more sophisticated method.

[Tony_BLY]

Cheers Jambo.

Yes, I noticed when I was able to tighten the fuel sensor nut (?!) that the paint had flaked underneath, and there was a residue around it. Paint cracked further when I gave it a wee tweak (certainly didn't overtighten it).

Sounds a similar thing, so thanks for that. Did you use fresh seals around the petrol tap mounting (where there are two bolts with like Philips screw heads in?) and did you use anything for the sensor gauge nut?

Ta

Tony

[andy]

I changed my tank and reused all the seals - all worked fine.

[jambo]

I re-used the old seals but I dare say new seals or some instant gasket smeared round the old ones wouldn't hurt. :wink:

[northwind]

Seems to me that if it's leaking from the seals, then reusing them wouldn't be all that clever ;)

[andy]

Seems to me that if it's leaking from the seals, then reusing them wouldn't be all that clever ;)

I agree, except it depends why it is leaking - if the seals are in good nick then no reason not to use.

[Tony_BLY]

Are the seals difficult to source? Are they a generic component, or a special for each bike? Surely for cost, you might as well fit new as Northwind suggested as long as it isnt a 6 week lead time?!

Cheers

Tony