Gas Leak in front of the tank

3718 Views 22 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Forewarned, 11 mo ago

ObiWanKen

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2020

2

Hi guys (and girls of course!),

First time posting here, hope you can help me a little. I have what looks and smells like a gas leak somewhere on top as there is some residues left on a part in front of the tank. I've taken a picture to better explains it. I was just wondering if someone else already had this problem before I lift the tank to go and check deeper. My bike is a 2016

Thanks!

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1 - 20 of 23 Posts

Dingo

· #2 · May 21, 2020

Take off the tank and see where it's coming from!! By the looks of the picture the bike isn't well kept. I'd only be speculating on where the gas is coming from. Could be a broken weld on the tank or the seal to the airbox is messed up or the vertical injector tubing is squirting out for some reason... you'll see when you take the tank off.

ObiWanKen

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 21, 2020

Yeah I though so.. I was just trying to see if there was something else to be done before that but I guess I'll have to. Thanks!

verticalroll

· #4 · May 28, 2020

There are two lines that come out of the tank on that side for an over flow. Clean the air box with a cleaner first. Drain the tank down a gallon and take it for a ride and see if it is still getting wet. If it is dry then it is the hose where the two lines connect. The tanks are good welding and I don't believe it is a weld but who knows.

autonoob

· #5 · May 29, 2020

Place a piece of plastic wrap over the fill hole along with a rubber band. Slosh the epoxy around and drain the tank. Allow the epoxy to cure for at least a day before replacing the tank and filling it. If there is still a leak do the procedure again.

Dingo

· #6 · May 30, 2020

@verticalroll - I've had the right weld crack within the first 4 months of ownership. Dealer replaced the tank, no hassle.

@ObiWanKen - what did you find???

ObiWanKen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 3, 2020

Dingo said:
@verticalroll - I've had the right weld crack within the first 4 months of ownership. Dealer replaced the tank, no hassle.

@ObiWanKen - what did you find???

Nothing so far, I haven't had time to do anything on her, with the return to work and everything she's resting in my driveway for the time being. I'll post an update when I'll have the answer, and btw thanks to all for your responses

Dezmond22

· #8 · Oct 6, 2020

ObiWanKen said:
Nothing so far, I haven't had time to do anything on her, with the return to work and everything she's resting in my driveway for the time being. I'll post an update when I'll have the answer, and btw thanks to all for your responses

Any updates on this ? I have the same issue .

AlexC

· #9 · Oct 6, 2020

I went through this after a spill. The seams around the pivot mounts will split open and leak. Had mine welded at a local shop.

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Dezmond22

· #10 · Oct 6, 2020

Thanks for that .

ObiWanKen

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 6, 2020

Hi everyone, thanks all for your responses, I've finally had some time (season's almost over here though -_-) and it seems that my problem was only the 2 breather hoses that were a little disconnected since these are pretty short and lifting the tank will unplug one or both, had to open the side panel to get them back correctly but luckily it wasn't a weld or seal on the tank like AlexC.

Thanks again

Dezmond22

· #12 · Oct 6, 2020

Fingers crossed that is my problem ,
I am lifting the tank off today .

Dezmond22

· #13 · Oct 7, 2020

Na , no such luck mine is being welded at an engineering shop .

aswedz

· #14 · 11 mo ago

Those of you that had to weld the tank... Had it been in an accident? I just picked up a 959 Corse and noticed a small gas drop in front of the radiator fan after a very short spirited ride (underneath the bike, not sure if it has two another fan). I went again today for a 10 min ride and didn't notice any gas drops but it did smell like fuel upon return, particularly coming from the right side of the bike.
Any ideas?

t_bare

· #15 · 11 mo ago

aswedz said:
Those of you that had to weld the tank... Had it been in an accident? I just picked up a 959 Corse and noticed a small gas drop in front of the radiator fan after a very short spirited ride (underneath the bike, not sure if it has two another fan). I went again today for a 10 min ride and didn't notice any gas drops but it did smell like fuel upon return, particularly coming from the right side of the bike.
Any ideas?

You are describing where your fuel vent terminates. Overfill your tank, or park the bike with a very full tank? It is way too early to panic and start worrying about welds.

t_bare

aswedz

· #16 · 11 mo ago

3

t_bare said:
You are describing where your fuel vent terminates. Overfill your tank, or park the bike with a very full tank? It is way too early to panic and start worrying about welds.

t_bare

I didn't check the exact fuel levels but should only be about halfway full. It did have a very full tank when I picked up the bike and trailered home. Went for a little ride that same day and didn't notice any fuel smell when I returned. It's only been on quick rides around the area while I wait on registration. After maybe the 3rd or 4th short ride, I noticed what looked like an oil stain under the bike and that's when I noticed a drop of fuel by the radiator fan. Went out for one ride after that and no drops of fuel but definitely a strong fuel smell mostly from the top right of bike. Checked the relief hoses from tank and they look to be attached well.
Any ideas? I'll attach some photos

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t_bare

· #17 · 11 mo ago

Remove the right side body panel. You should be able to see what is going on. My guess would be your charcoal canister has been removed and everything is working normally. If the oil was recently changed, the old oil is tough to get it all out as it gets up in the plastic when drained. Again, too early to panic.

t_bare

Reactions: 1

aswedz

· #18 · 11 mo ago

2

t_bare said:
Remove the right side body panel. You should be able to see what is going on. My guess would be your charcoal canister has been removed and everything is working normally. If the oil was recently changed, the old oil is tough to get it all out as it gets up in the plastic when drained. Again, too early to panic.

t_bare

Might be a bit closer to panic now...
For starters, I removed the right side panels last night and had to unplug the "Mitsubishi electric/ducati box" to get the panel it's attached to off. Also, the charcoal canister is still there.
Today, went to take another spin to see if I can find gas leaking anywhere with the panel off.
Starting the bike, the abs and traction lights were blinking.
As I started riding they quickly went off...I then soon realize I have the tinyest amount of rear brake left which was working yesterday.
Just barely enough to stop the bike rolling in neutral. I'm guessing it's related to abs somehow, not sure the best next step; figured I'll try bleeding them.
So there's that.

I also found this corrosion/rust looking stuff (see photo below) in the tank. Not an expert by any means but doesn't look great.
I'm guessing it's possible there's a tiny leak?
...and it would have to be tiny because for the most part, other than that one drop the other day, I just get a fairly strong fuel smell around the ignition switch.

Thanks in advance.

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t_bare

· #19 · 11 mo ago

ABS and Traction lights will turn off once bike has moved 4mph.

Remove the plastic around the ignition, the seat, then lift up the tank to get a better look.

Rust inside tank is most likely from a bike that has been stored with ethanol fuel and not an indication of a leak.

If you are stiffing around your tank, airbox, carbon can overflow and you don't smell gas I would be surprised. Step away from the ledge and go for a ride.

t_bare

aswedz

· #20 · 11 mo ago

t_bare said:
ABS and Traction lights will turn off once bike has moved 4mph.

Remove the plastic around the ignition, the seat, then lift up the tank to get a better look.

Rust inside tank is most likely from a bike that has been stored with ethanol fuel and not an indication of a leak.

If you are stiffing around your tank, airbox, carbon can overflow and you don't smell gas I would be surprised. Step away from the ledge and go for a ride.

t_bare

That makes me feel a bit better. This is my first bike in 3 years since I had to sell my 899 and definitely the most expensive bike I've had so got a bit freaked out. Is there anything you (or anyone) think I should do to address the rust? Or just leave it...
And any idea why the rear brake went out after unplugging electronics?

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