Leaky auxiliary gas tank :(

[MarciaG]

We've REALLY been enjoying the new trike! Put over 700 miles on her so far. Now the bad news. From the first day we got the trike, I *thought* I saw something leaking. Barb said it was probably from someone who parked there before us. OK. Then we stopped at a motel due to heavy rain on the way...and it did sideline us for a day and a half. Covered the trike, noticed "rainbows" in the water.....can't be us....I was in denial.

Parked at home on a tarp. Noticed a little bit of "something" but not a lot. Hoped maybe it was something that would....ok, I was starting to make excuses because I had a ride coming up. And I DID take the ride. Had a wonderful time. But when all of the bikes were lined up in the parking lot, one of the gals said she smelled gas and she *thought* it was coming from my trike.

Got back to my friend's house where several of us stayed. We parked our bikes in the garage. Got up Sunday morning. My friend said...."Got some bad news. Your trike is leaking gasoline!" REALLY? Yeah, it was so bad it almost knocked her and her boyfriend over when they opened the garage door. They left the door open to air things out a bit. Pointed out where the gas seemed to be leaking. Advised they thought I'd be safe getting home but to take it in to the dealer asap.

Took my trike to Honda yesterday. Was told they were swamped and it could be two weeks before they could even get to my trike. Two weeks?!?!?! I've been riding every day, are you kidding?! Well, long story longer. The Honda tech called me yesterday afternoon. He said the tank was faulty and would have to be replaced. I was SO hoping it was just a hose clamp or something simple! He contacted CSC. Of course, it is a warranty issue. Trike is so new that they hadn't even received my warranty registration papers yet. I provided the invoice number. He said he would get the parts on order. So now....I wait. Please, keep your fingers crossed that I get a good tank this time...that the tech does a good job, and that I am on my merry, riding way soon. I still can't believe it. I've seen CSC in action before with great customer service for a friend's trike. Hoping for a quick resolution!!!

MarciaG

 

[mhgoldwing]

Bummer! At least it didn't start a fire. Glad CSC is handling it.

 

[Gorilla]

If its the aux tank can't you empty it and just ride on the main tank? I do not have a CSC setup so I do not know how they are plumbed.

 

[MarciaG]

The tanks are physically tied in together during the installation. Kind of like one big tank. So it's not like, you use the main tank and then the aux tank kicks in....no valves either. So no, it's like having a gas leak in your main tank.

 

[Gorilla]

Sorry thats a bummer. But as long as they get it fixed. I hope quickly for you.

 

[MarciaG]

Sorry thats a bummer. But as long as they get it fixed. I hope quickly for you.

Thanks Gorilla. I hope they do get it fixed asap! I have Gold Wing trike fever now and I miss it terribly! Besides, I have to ride down to Knoxville in 3 weeks......fingers crossed!!

MarciaG :Meds:

 

[eagle1]

thjere is probably a hose that connects the two tanks. can you cap it off?

 

[phil1945]

makes me happy that i dident opt for the aux tank...2012 wing with csc viper,,who installed yours?

 

[Scott1]

thjere is probably a hose that connects the two tanks. can you cap it off?

The tanks are physically tied in together during the installation. Kind of like one big tank. So it's not like, you use the main tank and then the aux tank kicks in....no valves either. So no, it's like having a gas leak in your main tank.

The fuel system is probably a gravity fill system and pumps from the auxiliary tank and not from the bikes fuel tank.

 

[MarciaG]

makes me happy that i dident opt for the aux tank...2012 wing with csc viper,,who installed yours?

Well, the mechanic at my local Honda dealer who also installs CSC trike conversions, told me that this is kind of a rare occurrence. Hoping once I get the replacement tank, it will be smooth sailing, I mean, riding!

It was installed down in Chattanooga at Southern Honda.

Here's the link for installing the tank if it gives you a better idea on how it works.

http://www.californiasidecar.com/downloads/VIPER_COBRA_Aux_Fuel_Tank.pdf

I've got an appt this afternoon to get risers installed. I made the appointment before I realized I had the fuel leak. I intend to keep my appt. This way, I can see what's going on, when they expect to receive the tank, do the work, etc. Oh yeah, I'm gonna whine a little. Maybe a lot. I want my new ride back!!!!

Marcia

 

[Memnoch451]

I like the idea of an aux tank or at least my brain does. My butt on the other hand likes to get off the trike and walk around every 200 miles or so. I do know that some of us live in places where there are not many gas stations and many of us love the open roads where we don't know where the next station is... Aux tank to the rescue!!!!

But, I still like the old Idea of the petcock on my 1988 Yamaha that I switch over when the main tank runs out of gas. At that point I have 30 miles to sink or swim... But than again I remember not turning it back and running out of gas anyway... I can't win!

 

[MarciaG]

I like the idea of an aux tank or at least my brain does. My butt on the other hand likes to get off the trike and walk around every 200 miles or so. I do know that some of us live in places where there are not many gas stations and many of us love the open roads where we don't know where the next station is... Aux tank to the rescue!!!!

But, I still like the old Idea of the petcock on my 1988 Yamaha that I switch over when the main tank runs out of gas. At that point I have 30 miles to sink or swim... But than again I remember not turning it back and running out of gas anyway... I can't win!

I got the aux tank just in case I am out west, in the middle of nowhere and need that extra amount of gas. The stock tank is 6.6 gal. The aux tank is 3.4 = 10 gallons! Plus, I heard these trikes don't get the greatest mileage.

Oh yeah, I still HAVE to get off and take a break anyway! I'm a newbie rider so I have been getting pain and "pins and needles" in my right hand. Got a throttle rocker and had the numbness and pain with that. Will try a cramp buster and see if that works better for me.

Good news!! My new aux tank arrived at Honda today. Now we'll see how long it takes to get it installed! Also, going to get risers as I am stretched to the limit and can't enjoy my backrest.

MarciaG.

 

[Memnoch451]

I got the aux tank just in case I am out west, in the middle of nowhere and need that extra amount of gas. The stock tank is 6.6 gal. The aux tank is 3.4 = 10 gallons! Plus, I heard these trikes don't get the greatest mileage.

Oh yeah, I still HAVE to get off and take a break anyway! I'm a newbie rider so I have been getting pain and "pins and needles" in my right hand. Got a throttle rocker and had the numbness and pain with that. Will try a cramp buster and see if that works better for me.

Good news!! My new aux tank arrived at Honda today. Now we'll see how long it takes to get it installed! Also, going to get risers as I am stretched to the limit and can't enjoy my backrest.

MarciaG.

I love raisers... I't s always better to have more than enough gas in your tank(s) than to push or call AAA. I like your thinking.. make the TRIKE safe and comfy... WIN WIN ThumbUp

 

[team5150]

Was the leak in the aux tank ?

I know when I bought my used 05 CSC they had a vent line that went to the small hose that leads to the recovery canister in the front of the bike and that was causing problems.

The fix was to have the vent from the aux tank go forward to the top of the main tank as shown in the .pdf. I did this on mine and have never had a problem. Any overfill or thermal expansion goes back to the top of main tank.

Be aware it takes fuel slower than a regular tank because the aux tank is connected underneath to the main so they fill together but it takes a little bit for the levels to equalize through the bottom connection. (the red tank is my aux tank)

When you are refueling it will appear full but just wait a few seconds and the level will go down then you can continue filling. DO NOT TOP OFF ! If you do the thermal expansion will have no where to go but into the canister and that's not a desirable thing to do.


As far as the aux tank goes - when you go 150 - 200 miles between gas stations (that are OPEN) in the west you will quickly learn to love the extra fuel. The other great thing is when you hit the low fuel light - you have about 3 gals of fuel - that's 90 miles !

You can get off and rest anytime but you can't get fuel anytime you want.

 

[phil1945]

I live in fla (gas station on every corner) I asked for info about an aux tank thinking I might ride out west..csc said it takes about 10 hours to install on a trike already built..My trike gets 32 mpg and it seems to out last me...I installed the riseres (very easy install) but it really streches the cables (especially the throtel cable) I had to leave the cables out of the factory clamps as that was kuryakyns answer to this problem (make srue throtel returns automaticaly),seems to work ok with black zip ties....I have 1100 miles on mine and love the ride,,mine was built by huals in pensicola fla

 

[team5150]

I have had the risers on since the day I bought this trike and have had no problems at all. A lot better reach for me and looking at how short MarciaG is - she can use them !

 

[oldbear]

I love the extra legs an auxiliary tank gives. On the Roadsmith I have an extra tank that holds almost 5 gallons. Run 'till the low fuel light comes on, throw a switch and watch the fuel gage "fill up" again!! Too cool, and if you go where stations are few and far between,,,,,,,I went 360 miles between fuel stops last week, and still had about a gallon on board!! Also, this let's you stop where fuel is "cheaper" (it's not cheap anywhere!!). Hope CSC gets you squared away soon and back on the road. Ride safe!

 

[MarciaG]

Thanks guys, you're all great! I don't have a recovery canister that you're referring to, team5150. We don't have the California emissions requirement so no canister. The mechanic was sure that the aux tank was defective. I know it won't be a small job for him. We're having him install the risers since the trike is already there. And he's installed them before, so I'm not going to worry about the cables. He seems to know his stuff. Time will tell.

Maybe I didn't need the aux tank, but I like knowing that I have the gas in case I'm in an area where gas stations are few and far between (if I go out west), or if it's a Sunday somewhere in the boonies....who knows?

Yeah, we've been having trouble figuring out what we're seeing with respect to the gas gauge. When it says it is half full, does that mean we have 5 gallons? 3 Gallons? I know that in my brief time with the bike, when I have gone to fill the tank....and keeping in mind, I am not reading all that low...but it only seems to want to take about 3 gallons.....so that's good. And that has been WITH the gas leak!

Stay tuned to this saga......

 

[MarciaG]

Oldbear, we posted at the same time!

On the CSC, there is no switch to flip with respect to the aux tank. It's like having one, big tank. It will take me a while to really know how much gas I've got in there! But I'm glad that there are others here who have (and like) having the extra fuel on board.

MG

 

[fred-houston]

After having my conversion done, and while on my first trip, I notice a strong smell of gas. I pulled into a service station and looked underneath the trike, and could see a steady stream of gas leaking onto the ground.

I ended up getting a friend to bring a trailer, where we towed it back to the dealer. Turns out I had a crack in the aux tank. They told me that it was a molding defect, so it was going to be replaced under warranty.

When I went to pick up the trike, I asked to see the old tank. When they showed me the crack, it was right at the mounting point of the tank. My opinion is that it was not a molding defect, I believe the mounting bolts were torqued down to tight which caused the crack.

Nevertheless, it was fixed and haven't had a problem with the tank since. Now, you don't want me to get to talking about the drive train and CV Joints.

As for the gas gauge, I have found that it works the same as the two wheel version did. The only difference is when your warning light comes on you have conservatively 90 miles left. You probably actually have more, but my trike only gets 28 to 30 mpg, so when my light comes on, I start looking for gas.

It was also mentioned earlier that when filling up the tank, especially when near empty, after topping off the tank, you need to wait a few seconds and top it off again. You may have to do this process two or three times. If you watch, you can actually see the fuel level dropping in the tanks. The tanks are gravity fed through one line at the bottom of the tanks and it takes them a while to equalize. I have had where it would take up to two more gallons before it was completely full.

 

[team5150]

We don't have the California emissions requirement so no canister.

The wing is a 50 state bike so you DO have the canister ! It is located in the lower front of the bike by the oil filter.

When it says it is half full, does that mean we have 5 gallons? 3 Gallons?

Just figure you start with 10 gals and the gauge will reflect what is left in BOTH tanks because they are interconnected. It seems like it takes forever to get past the half way mark on the gauge but that's a good thing !

After awhile you will get used to the fuel usage and the gauge readings. The good thing is at the reserve light you have 90 or so to go to the next refuel.

 

[MarciaG]

"We don't have the California emissions requirement so no canister.

The wing is a 50 state bike so you DO have the canister ! It is located in the lower front of the bike by the oil filter."

Thanks. My S/O was just SURE we didn't have one. But I am happy to pass that info along!

So far, any time I've stopped for gas (because someone else did, so what the heck), I never needed more than about 3 gallons or so. If the gauge reads true for all 10 gallons, then that is really terrific. Now, if I could just get my trike back from Honda!!!!

Marcia G.