The dreaded gas leak....

[jimgpayne]

Howdy from Nashville!

As you can see from my Avatar, I have an 82 Aspencade GL1100 that I absolutely love.

I bought it from it's second owner back in November. They had taken great care of the bike; quite a bit of chrome and well preserved for having about 97K miles on it.

My wife's friend's husband is a Harley mechanic; so I handed the bike over to him and told him to do whatever he thought needed to be done. So we rebuilt the carbs, replaced the timing belts, replaced the rear air shocks with progressive air shocks, gear oil change, coolant flush and fill, oil change, replaced all break pads, and replaced the pull and push throttle cables.

Since then, I've put about 1500 miles on it and feel I have settled in for the long haul. Recently I've purchased a HID headlight system, and the Audiovox cruise control. I figured I would hold on to them until the next time I needed the oil changed, or the bike worked on.

Well..... on Friday night I noticed that my bike wouldn't start. The engine cranked easily, but just wouldn't catch (just like it does when you forget to turn the kill switch back on).

After about three tries, I smelled gas. So I figured maybe I flooded it and went back in to let her sit for a few minutes.

When I returned I discovered quite the puddle under the bike as gas was leaking from somewhere near the bottom of the bike.

No leak int he tank; because if I cut the petcock off there is no leak at all.

But when the bike is running (yes, I finally did get it started), the gas actually squirts out in a tiny jet someone in the bottom front of the bike just behind the black hose that attaches in front of the time belt covers. In fact, the squirt looks like it may be coming from the covers - but I believe that's an illusion.

So I figure it's back to the shop. But I have to ask if anyone has any idea of where the leak could be coming from? Since it is squirting, I was wondering if that is a know behavior when something fails in that area.

Also, I assume that the bike shouldn't be driven this way because of fire potential; correct?

Jim

 

[joedrum]

yes i wouldnt ride it ...no this seems strange to me ...but im sure it a small deal in the big picture ...from the story the harley guy is very good for your bike ...im sure he will find it and clearly fix it .....

 

[dan filipi]

It sounds like you might have a float hanging up and flooding which can fill a cylinder with gas and cause hydrolock.
The gas can come out the exhaust pipes, possibly where you see it?
The gas can also get into the crankcase oil so the oil and filter should be changed right away.

Might try shutting the gas off and running the bowls empty. Sometimes that will free up a stuck float.
Always turn the gas off when parked to help avoid this happening.

 

[slabghost]

check the fuel line from the pump to the carbs.

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes if you gently rap the side of the carb (with a rubber mallet) the floats will release.

 

[Omega Man]

I had gas "squirting" from the very old fuel pump once, had the Hydro lock too(several times) and the gas will pool under the bike.

~O~

 

[jimgpayne]

So I took the very first suggestion that someone gave me and I let the bike run with the fuel shut off to empty the bowls.

Viola.

As soon as the bike died, I opened the fuel valve and then started the bike again. It's been running now for about 20 minutes with not a hint of a leak or any visible gas. No gas smells either.

Should I get a small rubber mallet to take with me in the event that this method fails in the future? And is it worth having the mechanic look at it to see if he can adjust the float? I remember how much work it was to remove the carbs the last time I had it in to him.

Jim

 

[slabghost]

I just run ATF in the fuel to keep the system clean and reliable.

 

[Anonymous]

So I took the very first suggestion that someone gave me and I let the bike run with the fuel shut off to empty the bowls.

Viola.

As soon as the bike died, I opened the fuel valve and then started the bike again. It's been running now for about 20 minutes with not a hint of a leak or any visible gas. No gas smells either.

Should I get a small rubber mallet to take with me in the event that this method fails in the future? And is it worth having the mechanic look at it to see if he can adjust the float? I remember how much work it was to remove the carbs the last time I had it in to him.

Jim

Once they are reset I have not heard of the problem comming back (maybe some of the more experienced guys here may know more)

 

[joedrum]

atf as mention above is the best thing ...and works while your having fun ...hard to beat a tool like that

 

[jimgpayne]

Well, it's been maybe a week or so now, and now issues since the initial sticking.

Thanks everyone for the help and comments. When it comes to mechanical stuff I'm not the best person in the world (not even close), so your help probably saved me abut $100 or so in repairs and fees.

Jim


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[82a]

Well, it's been maybe a week or so now, and now issues since the initial sticking.

watch it close, hydrolocking can also easily bend rods (= big time engine damage), good practice is always turn off the fuel at every shutdown, particularly with these flat engines