[Motard-Menace]

As the title suggests I have a little gas dripping from the overflow hose under the fairing. Anyone have any thoughts as to cause? Something to worry about or not.

It has less then a half tank in it and it was sitting for a while before it happened. It has been rather warm here but with less then half a tank of fuel I am wondering what might be causing it.

 

[RedST]

I had that happen once.

It was due to over-filling the tank (past the filler neck) and some of the gas got into the line. But, it didn't flow out until I parked on an uneven surface and the bike was leaning slightly backwards.

Once it all flowed out, it never happened again.

The overflow line must not be straight down, or partially clogged.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Thanks SE, yeah I'm not super worried because afterall the overflow is working so the gas is coming out of something it is made for but was just curious as to what the cause might be. Maybe when I filled last time I got a little too much go go juice in there and it flowed into the overflow and now I'm getting a drip. I guess time will tell.

 

[Bill_Anderson]

The only times that has ever happened to me is when I park it on the side stand after topping off the tank.

 

[stryder]

Is it dripping out of, or off of the overflow line? With a half tank of gas, there is no overflow. As it runs so close to the other fuel lines, perhaps fuel is dripping onto it from a leak, and then it's running down the outside of the overflow line and dripping off. Just a thought.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Thanks Stryder, I haven't had time yet this week to take a closer look but I'm going to pull the skirt off her this weekend and have a look to make sure there is not a bigger issue. It appears to have tapered off today but still worth a check. Its down for the count now anyway as I was bleeding the brakes and my vaccum pump took a dump about half way through the process so I need to finish that too + put on a new front sprocket.

I'll report back once I determine what is going on.........

 

[va duc]

Watch it closely, if there is a small crack in the vent or overflow line in the tank it could be weeping out. The connection the inside of the tank may be loose and causing a small weep. Remenber both lines are inside the tank submerged in fuel. Don't ask how I know this information
Or it could be just some sloshing of fuel and just doing what it was designed to do!

By the way, Its great to see you posting Bill! Don't overdo it and heal quickly !

 

[Motard-Menace]

I pulled her lower skirt today and the gas is coming from the overflow hose for sure. No gas anywhere else that I can see. In 3 days it has dripped maybe 2-3 ounces total as I have been catching it in a jar. I think I will just keep an eye on it for a little while and see what happens. I pulled the hose out of the bracket that puts a 90 in it too see if hanging straight down it might empty itself out.

 

[redfourme]

Drip...

What VA DUC said! If a line comes off inside the tank, or if there is a hole in one of those lines, you could get fuel out the overflow. Use a flashlight to look inside the tank for an unattached line. Also, check the black rubber vent at the cap to make sure it seats properly and is not blocked. With 1/2 tank of fuel and 2-3 ounces coming out something is up.

 

[Motard-Menace]

What VA DUC said! If a line comes off inside the tank, or if there is a hole in one of those lines, you could get fuel out the overflow. Use a flashlight to look inside the tank for an unattached line. Also, check the black rubber vent at the cap to make sure it seats properly and is not blocked. With 1/2 tank of fuel and 2-3 ounces coming out something is up.

Thanks Mike,

I'm going to have to investigate further as there is still some dripping and its been parked now for three days. I'll look there first.

 

[Bill_Anderson]

I don't know if this could be causing your problem, but ST's are notorious for split fuel lines inside the fuel tank. Mark Turbo was a recent victim.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Well I took a look inside the tank and all the hoses look good from what I can see. I lifted the tank also and everything appears in order and there is nothing dripping. Not sure what I should do next short of draining the tank and pulling the bottom unit out completely. I put it on the side stand today and I am going to see what the catch jar looks like in the morning........

 

[stryder]

Well I took a look inside the tank and all the hoses look good from what I can see. I lifted the tank also and everything appears in order and there is nothing dripping. Not sure what I should do next short of draining the tank and pulling the bottom unit out completely. I put it on the side stand today and I am going to see what the catch jar looks like in the morning........

You may want to wipe the underside of the tank and all connections/hoses down clean and dry, and then apply a light coating of an antiperspirant spray with a powdery residue, or some flour from the kitchen blown off your fingers so you'll be able to trace any leaking to the source. Start the bike to pressurise the fuel system and let it run for a bit and then leave it as you say. With any luck, you'll be able to spot any leaks as the powdery coated areas will have absorbed any leaking gas and become darkened.

 

[Motard-Menace]

You may want to wipe the underside of the tank and all connections/hoses down clean and dry, and then apply a light coating of an antiperspirant spray with a powdery residue, or some flour from the kitchen blown off your fingers so you'll be able to trace any leaking to the source. Start the bike to pressurise the fuel system and let it run for a bit and then leave it as you say. With any luck, you'll be able to spot any leaks as the powdery coated areas will have absorbed any leaking gas and become darkened.

Good idea but I don't believe any of the leaking is coming from under the tank. It is dripping from the overflow at the bottom of the hose like it should and is still today. (about week now) so I will just have to bite the bullet I guess and pull the tank apart to see what is going on. Not looking forward to this but seems like the only recourse now.

 

[stryder]

Good idea but I don't believe any of the leaking is coming from under the tank. It is dripping from the overflow at the bottom of the hose like it should and is still today. (about week now) so I will just have to bite the bullet I guess and pull the tank apart to see what is going on. Not looking forward to this but seems like the only recourse now.

Having a new O ring handy is probably a good idea, if you don't know if the one in there now has been used twice already.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Having a new O ring handy is probably a good idea, if you don't know if the one in there now has been used twice already.

Check, I was thinking I will do a line swap for all of them since I am going to dig in...........

 

[fisher7508]

you were reading me mind..

Check, I was thinking I will do a line swap for all of them since I am going to dig in...........

Great idea...as i have been stranded with split fuel lines. Lots of posts out there about types of hose, lubricant for oring, filter part numbers, etc... If you have it apart take the time and do the entire job so you dont have to worry about it for another few years.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Update

Well I took the tank apart today and its a good thing. Have some pretty severe fuel hose degredation especially on the short line to the filter + some pretty good deposits in the tank. Anyway here are a couple pics. Off to NAPA tommorow to see if I can get the hoses and a fuel filter. I think the fuel pump gasket looks good. I posted a pic of that too if someone has any opinions. I ordered one but have to wait till next week so not sure I want to wait for it. Might use it again and see if I have any issues and then if so when the new one arrives I will throw it on.

I have taken step by step photo's so I will post up a how to for folks after I am done. Not that I am a wiz but I always think its nice to have pics from someone else showing how it came apart etc. seems to help us mechanically challenged folks.

 

[Motard-Menace]

Well I finished swapping out the fuel lines and filter today along with cleaning up the tank. I've got it all reinstalled and so far so good. When I pulled the fuel pump the two internal tank lines were very loose and basically fell off without effort so I think this was causing the dripping overflow line. Anyway the job was pretty straight forward and didn't take as much time as I thought it would.

I posted a more in depth description of the entire process for me anyway over in the Halls of Wisdom with mucho photos so maybe it will help someone out some day. Anway thanks to everyone who gave me some advice and here is the link for the thread in the Halls of Wisdom:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=631837#post631837

 

[Motard-Menace]

Deleted repost that happened somehow........DOH.........