fuel line - Ducati.ms

ddmv · Jan 5th, 2012, 2:33 am

Hi all.

New to this forum, as I just brought (4 months ago) an 03' ST4s.
Great bike for my purpose as a commute & touring.

Anyway went to to take it out for a spin. And when it startred it up I noticed a strong smell of fuel.
Turn off the bike, look underneath and notice fuel leaking.

So back on center stand. Removed the fuel tank (with was full) and noticed one of the lines was disconnected from a "Y" junction.

Re-connected and went for a short ride to see how it went.
All seemed fine, and no smell of fuel.

So to cut a long story short, Should there be any cable/ tie down to the "Y" junction connection. Or was i just unlucky.

Any information would be great.

Cheers

cb4265 · Jan 5th, 2012, 2:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddmv

Hi all.

New to this forum, as I just brought (4 months ago) an 03' ST4s.
Great bike for my purpose as a commute & touring.

Anyway went to to take it out for a spin. And when it startred it up I noticed a strong smell of fuel.
Turn off the bike, look underneath and notice fuel leaking.

So back on center stand. Removed the fuel tank (with was full) and noticed one of the lines was disconnected from a "Y" junction.

Re-connected and went for a short ride to see how it went.
All seemed fine, and no smell of fuel.

So to cut a long story short, Should there be any cable/ tie down to the "Y" junction connection. Or was i just unlucky.

Any information would be great.

Cheers

Hi & welcome, your problem could be as simple as a slightly overfilled tank, this can happen quite easily, not a big deal if you jump on & ride but looks messy if it sits there on the side stand.

Craig

ddmv · Jan 5th, 2012, 4:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb4265

Hi & welcome, your problem could be as simple as a slightly overfilled tank, this can happen quite easily, not a big deal if you jump on & ride but looks messy if it sits there on the side stand.

Craig

Hi Craig.
Thanks for your reply. Here is a photo (a bit small) of the fuel line that was disconnected.
To me (being a novice at these thing

) it looked liked that line was directly from the tank.
So i don't quite understand (again being a novice) how it became loose.

Thanks
dino

cb4265 · Jan 5th, 2012, 4:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddmv

Hi Craig.
Thanks for your reply. Here is a photo (a bit small) of the fuel line that was disconnected.
To me (being a novice at these thing

) it looked liked that line was directly from the tank.
So i don't quite understand (again being a novice) how it became loose.

Thanks
dino

Sorry mate, not what I thought, photo doesn't really help, you will work it out by eliminating problems. Fuel filters are the biggest drama you will have, unlike the yanks with their shit ethanol fuel that plagues them.
What other symptoms or causes do you suspect?

Craig

**Gearbox** · Jan 5th, 2012, 4:34 am

These are just over-flow pipes and if you have a really full tank and leave the bike on its side-stand then fuel will exit under the bike but if they become detached then the fuel will leak onto the engine and evaporate.
They do not usually pop off but perhaps the rubber is a little tired and loose in your case.

ddmv · Jan 5th, 2012, 4:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearbox

These are just over-flow pipes and if you have a really full tank and leave the bike on its side-stand then fuel will exit under the bike but if they become detached then the fuel will leak onto the engine and evaporate.
They do not usually pop off but perhaps the rubber is a little tired and loose in your case.

Thanks for your input "gearbox". That might be the case of just tired & loose hose.Will have to look into one at the next service.
I allways keep the bike on the centerstand when at home. To be on the safe side.
Thanks again for your help.

ddmv · Jan 5th, 2012, 4:58 am

No, thanks again for your help in this Graig. Yeah not the best photo.
But it could just be a worn out/loose hose connection as "gearbox" said.
Well i keep an eye on it.
Stayed tune.

cb4265 · Jan 5th, 2012, 5:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddmv

No, thanks again for your help in this Graig. Yeah not the best photo.
But it could just be a worn out/loose hose connection as "gearbox" said.
Well i keep an eye on it.
Stayed tune.

Mate, for fuck sake can spell you my name right, it's the least you can do ?

Craig

ddmv · Jan 5th, 2012, 5:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb4265

Mate, for fuck sake can spell you my name right, it's the least you can do ?

Craig

F$@# me. Sorry Craig.

Now THAT is very very embarrassing for me. I didn't even realise i was doing it. That's what i get for being a stay at home dad and not dealing with adults. It's all baby talk all day for me.

Sorry again.

Bill_Anderson · Jan 5th, 2012, 12:10 pm

Another common source of fuel leaks is failure to properly shut the fuel cap. After shutting the cap and removing the key, press down on the cap with your thumb and listen for the reassuring click.

As some said earlier, do not put an ST on its side stand after topping off the tank or you will get fuel leaking out the overfill hose down the side of the engine. Guess how I know.