Hi all. I'm still adjusting to my new (to me) 2008 848. Got the suspension adjusted today and now it handles more how I would expect a bike to handle so that's great. I am however finding that the fuel tank appears to be letting fuel spill out over the top of the tank after the engine has been running and the tank is close to full. I know the tank pressurises when running for the fuel injection but after I stop the fuel is running out across the tank (not immediately but if I happen back to the bike later) When I open the cap, the area under the cap is full of fuel. The cap itself has an obvious seal on it which sits down on a white rim in the centre of the tank. There is also a rubber tube of some sort which looks like it mates with the underside of the cap and has a small hole in it. As the tank releases pressure as I open the cap Im assuming that the main seal from the cap to the white top of the tank opening is secure, but guess pressure is forcing fuel up the rubber tube, swamping the surrounding area under the cap and forcing fuel out thru either the key hole or edges around the cap area. Anyone got any ideas what the likely cause is please? Also there are streaks across the tank which look like the fuel may have 'burned' through some the of the tank coating / lacquer. Again any advise or experience welcomed. Finally, apologies if I dont appear to replay correctly on the forum, but I'm still trying to find my feet and it wouldn't be intentional!!!! Cheers Rich
Hi Rich, Not conversant with the tank arrangement on the 848 to be honest - Im guessing it may share a few features with my SS? Food for thought anyhoo. :biggrin: There is an overflow pipe running down from the filler cap base to another metal hose connector at the base of the tank so any spillages whilst filling up can run down and out rather than flooding this area? The pipe running from the cap body to the base of the tank has been known to split or come off completely, causing leaks at the filler cap or the bottom pipe? There is a small hole in the filler cap body which allows the excess fuel to escape, this can become blocked - it can also funnel grit & other nastiness down the tube to block the metal "pasta tube" connector in the bottom of the tank? There is also a large o-ring sealing the filler cap body to the tank - but I dont think this is your problem? (lefthand rubber hose at the top of pic running down to the silver-clipped connection at the bottom) Modern fuel is terrible stuff, get it off paintwork as soon as possible, it would appear to now carry more chemicals than actual petrol!
Has the cap been replaced for a blingy one? Or maybe in the last and not been out back correctly? Think I'd take it off, check the seals and back on carefully just to be safe
Thanks to you both. I agree take apart and check it over sounds like the way to go. Looking at the first image above, the 848 looks similar in some ways in that it has a hole next to the filler next which appears to be brass or similar and looks like its threaded on the inside. Fuel was sat across this hole and not passing down it. There is also another short rubber tube approx 15mm long which also comes up next to the filler opening which mates to the underside of the filler cap when the cap is closed. I'll update once I take it apart. Cheers again!! Rich
Hi Again. Just gone to the bike tonight to check it over and having opened the garage door I was hit by the smell of petrol again. The bike hasn't been used since yesterday lunchtime and when I got back home then I had opened the filler cap to release any build up pressure. Tonight the fuel has spilled out over the tank top again, looking like its exited between the bolted down collar and the red metal of the tank, and also around the key slot. Opening the filler cap, gave a hiss and then I can see that there is a significant amount of fuel in the area around the recess. I have then taken off the surround to expose the tank area and filler access. As you can see in the images the paint has significantly bubbled and broken. As this has happened from the first time I got the bike home, and it has continued to do it since, does it seem unreasonable for me to believe that this issue must have been happening for sometime? I would be surprised if the paint damage had just happened in the two weeks I've owned it. I'm assuming that the drain hole must be blocked but again that won't explain why fuel is getting forced out over the tank. All thoughts please? (Hopefully images attached) Thanks Rich
Maybe a blocked breather so its pushing fuel out not letting air? Once its closed I didnt think fuel could pass the seal
Hi. Thanks. I've found that so long as I keep the fuel level well below the filler neck it appear to be ok. I think it's expansion in the heat. The next issus which I looked at today is why the over spill didnt go down the drain hole through the tank and exit under the bike. I spoke to Riders and they advised that sometimes they get blocked at the bottom. I found the two tubes as described coming down the RHS of the bike and tried to clear them with wire and then a good ole fashioned blow. The hoses expanded to my puff and then push it back at me. The wire ran happily up both tubes. I'm sure the issue is at the top, where I can only get the wire down about 15mm from the top as there appears to be some kind of obstruction which looks like its at a slant (I can only describe that it looks to me as if looking at the end of a bolt coming up diagionally into the overflow tube. Any ideas or experience of it anyone? P.S. Got the suspension sorted and wow what a difference!! Cheers Rich
