Where are they coming from??????????????

[Trikindan]

Still can't figure out where the Gas fumes are coming from when I park the Trike in the garage after riding. No gas dripping on the floor or on the Trike, just FUMES!!

Has anyone else noticed this or am I the only one?

When I open the Gas tank lid there is always pressure on it so I don't think it's bleeding through from the tank. Never notice it outside, just in the enclosed garage. If I leave the door open for 30/40 minutes the fumes are gone and don't come back.

 

[Papa Zook]

This is a pretty common issue with the GL1500s. It can be as simple as heat from the engine causing the gas tank to heat up which expands the gas and causes the tank to pressurize and self vent fumes, which really is not a problem.

But if the smell is really strong, you probably have a fuel leak. It will be one of several common issues. 1) the petcock leaking around the factory spring clamps 2) fuel petcock valve is bad 3) a cracked or split fuel hose 4) float bowl seals (most common). Pull the lower covers off and take a look at the engine below the carburators. Use a good flashlight to do this. If you see some brown staining you will know it has been leaking fuel. You probably will not see gas as it evaporates quickly.

 

[Trikindan]

This is a pretty common issue with the GL1500s. It can be as simple as heat from the engine causing the gas tank to heat up which expands the gas and causes the tank to pressurize and self vent fumes, which really is not a problem.

But if the smell is really strong, you probably have a fuel leak. It will be one of several common issues. 1) the petcock leaking around the factory spring clamps 2) fuel petcock valve is bad 3) a cracked or split fuel hose 4) float bowl seals (most common). Pull the lower covers off and take a look at the engine below the carburators. Use a good flashlight to do this. If you see some brown staining you will know it has been leaking fuel. You probably will not see gas as it evaporates quickly.

Hey Thanks ZOOK, I will do that tomorrow!!! Good info!!ThumbUp

 

[jaxbobg]

I have a GW1800 and BMW 1200 in the garage and have noticed a gasoline smell on rare occasions, usually after filling up both the main and the aux tanks prior to a road trip.

I always figured it was because I have a tendency to top off the tanks, but have noticed it a few other times. As Zook said, it could just be normal venting. I'd be concerned if it was an every day occurrence.

 

[cavie]

Normal venting. My Suzuki Vol was really bad at it. VTX doesn't seems to do it.

 

[Trikindan]

Well I checked everything today as Zook told me. No cracks or leaks to be found. I did notice after riding some today that when I parked it in the garage and started smelling the fumes that the vent hose coming from under the Trike had a little damp feel at the tip, But no liquid could be seen by the naked eye. I got down and put my nose near the hose and sure enough the smell got stronger. So it must be venting from the tank out of this hose. What doesn't make sense is the tank has pressure on it?!?! When I opened the tank fill cap it releases a good bit of pressure. Like a car does when you open the cap. Are these tanks supposed to pressurize? Guess I need to do some more research.

 

[Marc H]

Mine always seems to have pressure in the tank but haven't noticed any fumes.Then again I don't really smell things well.I noticed dampness in the pan around cap first.The shut off is in front of the cap.I've had a few leaks on mine and they can be a bit hard to spot.I think I found mine by accident.No flames were involved in the accident though.

 

[DPK]

Last Filled Tank

Any variation / commonality with regard to how much gas left in the tank & the extent of the odor?

Try with full tank, then almost empty tank, then on reserve & observe closely for any variations.

Another test would become to turn off petcock, run until engine starves & quits & then push trike into garage & observe.

Well I checked everything today as Zook told me. No cracks or leaks to be found. I did notice after riding some today that when I parked it in the garage and started smelling the fumes that the vent hose coming from under the Trike had a little damp feel at the tip, But no liquid could be seen by the naked eye. I got down and put my nose near the hose and sure enough the smell got stronger. So it must be venting from the tank out of this hose. What doesn't make sense is the tank has pressure on it?!?! When I opened the tank fill cap it releases a good bit of pressure. Like a car does when you open the cap. Are these tanks supposed to pressurize? Guess I need to do some more research.

 

[Trikindan]

That's not going to happen!! My back would start screaming if I even thought about doing that.:AGGHH::AGGHH:

DPK, I don't have a shutoff petcock on my 1500, it has an auto shutoff that closes when you turn off the engine. It is possible that the diaphragm in the valve is going bad and needs replacing but have not had time to check yet.

 

[Papa Zook]

That's not going to happen!! My back would start screaming if I even thought about doing that.:AGGHH::AGGHH: DPK, I don't have a shutoff petcock on my 1500, it has an auto shutoff that closes when you turn off the engine. It is possible that the diaphragm in the valve is going bad and needs replacing but have not had time to check yet.

Yes that is a strong possibility.

 

[DPK]

"Hydrolock"

That's not going to happen!! My back would start screaming if I even thought about doing that.:AGGHH::AGGHH:

DPK, I don't have a shutoff petcock on my 1500, it has an auto shutoff that closes when you turn off the engine. It is possible that the diaphragm in the valve is going bad and needs replacing but have not had time to check yet.

Trikindan,

i don't know whether you have a GW or a Valk 1500. While I'm not sure about GW's, Valks are susceptible to a malfunction affectionately known as "Hydrolock" commonly thought to be primarily caused by a malfunction ( almost always diaphragm failure) of the vacum operated "Automatic" shut off valve often also referred to as the petcock.

It it is caused by gas leaking thru the petcock, then thru a carburator and into a cylinder. Gasoline being uncompressable, locks the engine whereupon at the next startup the engagement gear of the starter motor strips gear teeth. The repair entails removal of the engine and opening the case. - $$$$$$$

You should make time to rule this out ASAP.

Dan

 

[Trikindan]

Well after a lot of research I have come to the conclusion it is my Shut off petcock leaking through. I ordered a rebuild kit tonight and will install it as soon as it arrives. Researching on the Goldwing site I found this is a common problem with not only the 1500's but the newer 1800's also. Some have had this problem within the first year of owning a new bike. Most attribute it to Ethanol gas eating up the seals. The seals in the rebuild kit are supposed to be more impermanent to the effects of Ethanol. We will see how it goes. Kit price is not bad, $24.00 and install is simple. I hope this cures the problem. I will report back after I have done the install.orag:

 

[DPK]

Hydro lock

Hydrolock is more prevalent in Valks due to the 6 carburetors compounded by some characteristics of Their float bowls.

Many Valk owners circumvent the problem by installing a manual shut-off petcock made by DanMarc. The same company also makes an automatic also with a manual cut off.

The Valk OE vacum operated valve seems to be problematical at best. The VRCC forum has a number of threads on rebuilding the valves. It seems that mistakes are common in doing the overhauls of the valve.

Dan