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Those independent, temperamental Germans.

 
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fnord
Mad Brick Rider


Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Location: Colebrook, CT

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:01 pm    Post subject: Those independent, temperamental Germans. Reply with quote

With 2 babies in the house, I hadn't gotten time to drain the gas and oil from the brick before winter truly kicked in.

So I noticed this morning that the bike got tired of waiting for me, and decided to start slowly leaking all the gas out onto the garage floor on its own.

I'm afraid to even look to see what's going on....
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Jim
Site Admin


Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3841
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:36 pm    Post subject: leaky tank? Reply with quote

OOH! Sorry to hear that. The tank is aluminum - it has likely corroded/oxidized whatever it does way down there in the bottom on both sides. Or else you have a leaky hose or connector - if you're lucky.

If it's the tank, you have a different problem. There are low areas of the tank on both sides where condensate tends to collect. It's really important to keep some kind of fuel treatment in the tank. After the condensate sits there long enough, it eats through the aluminum. At least that's my take on it. I could be wrong. Had that happen to the tank on the '95.
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1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."
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mnb
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Posts: 660
Location: San Jose, CA

PostPosted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had leaks occur in the exact same spot twice (at 5 and 10 years of age) on my '96LT. The spot is (when seated on the bike) on the left side near where the tab is for the bolt that holds the bracket and grommet for the side panel.

Typically has been a pinhole leak that only leaked when running. It would shoot out a fine stream onto the inside of my left leg, just above the knee. After a while I'd notice it felt wet. It was a small leak, so the fire danger was minimal, unlike with torn petcock o-rings on my older bikes.
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1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
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2011 Husqvarna TE310
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fnord
Mad Brick Rider


Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Location: Colebrook, CT

PostPosted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, the bike is now fired up and running. I inspected the tank and found no issues, so I put a little gas in, no leaks. Little more gas, no leaks. Started it up, no leaks. It has a half tank in it now, and has been run a couple of miles, and no sign of any leaks.

Very weird. Rolling Eyes
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Off the grid
Chaotic Good


Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 3414
Location: At the local taco truck waiting for Jo.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cha-CHING!!!
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hockeyshifter
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 177
Location: harpers ferry WVa.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i would ask were is the bike stored and what was the temp when you noticed...
my guess is a vaccum or over pressure has caused some kind of soft tissue to cause the leak.. and do we know the leak has come from the tank... what about a fuel line ? also was the battery on a tender and it is possible that the liquid in the battery over charged and leaked in the same spot as the gas can. Also are you sure it is gas. and did you watch it leak and at what rate. fast stream with the pump running or a slow drip in warm garage.
gas will evaporate quickly but leave a stain on finished concrete.

just IMO.. want more info to diagonest the problem.... were the beer?
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fnord
Mad Brick Rider


Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Location: Colebrook, CT

PostPosted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, it was in a garage, but it is unheated, so it got well below freezing for most of the winter, especially around the time i noticed the leak.

It was almost definitely gasoline, just judging by the smell. I did not see any actual dripping, nor am I sure it came from the tank. A hose is a definite possibility.

The battery was not on a tender at the time, and it amazingly held a strong charge all winter anyway.

There is a stain on the concrete under the bike. The bike was only stored in this one location for the winter, it is usually kept elsewhere. I'll do some forensics on the stain tomorrow.
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