Excessive gasoline fumes - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

919Hooligan · 10-02-2005, 06:01 PM

I think I may have a problem with my gas cap. Do you people that have windshields smell gas fumes when you sit at a stoplight? If your bike has been sitting in the sun for a few hours do you smell fumes when you sit on it? If you pull your bike in the garage after a long ride and close it up and then go out in the garage 15 minutes later does it smell of gasoline? Mine does all these things, yet it has no leaks. I think the cap is venting more than it should. If anyone else experiances this, please let me know.

Pinhy · 10-02-2005, 06:57 PM

its not all that abnormal for a garage to smell of gas after pulling in a hot car/bike is it?

i notice i smell of exhaust after riding in the city a lot, but that is other people's, not mine.

Zuki Dude · 10-02-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M50-Hooligan

I think I may have a problem with my gas cap. Do you people that have windshields smell gas fumes when you sit at a stoplight? If your bike has been sitting in the sun for a few hours do you smell fumes when you sit on it? If you pull your bike in the garage after a long ride and close it up and then go out in the garage 15 minutes later does it smell of gasoline? Mine does all these things, yet it has no leaks. I think the cap is venting more than it should. If anyone else experiances this, please let me know.

Same here.

**intimid8er** · 10-03-2005, 09:08 AM

I've noticed it more since I put my pipe on.

The one thing three of us have in common here is we've taken our tanks off. I noticed it strong immediately after, because there was some difficulty getting that plastic retainer clip to snap back into place after I reattached the line. I did get it to snap and seat properly. But the first few times I rode afterward I had a heavy smell of fuel. It has by and large disappeared now.

EDIT:

Zuki.....Thanks for the Power Commander install step-by-step. I read over yours and the stock instructions. There were a couple of things that you had that supplemented/complimented the stock install docs. Once again, thanks for providing info on something you could have easily kept to yourself.

jpwM50 · 10-03-2005, 09:32 AM

I have no smell of gas, and I have not taken my tank off.

**intimid8er** · 10-03-2005, 09:49 AM

Hooligan, my bad....I forgot you are running the Cobra FI2000, does that require you to take the tank off to plug it in?

farmbone · 10-03-2005, 10:12 AM

I installed the cobra. I didn't have to take my tank off. The right side panel is where all the taps go. I don't smell gas either.

mogle · 10-03-2005, 12:58 PM

my m50 is only about a week old (450 miles) & i occasionally notice a hint of gasoline smell (mostly in the garage)
couldn't tell if its coming from the gas cap or somewhere else.
my first impression was that the gas cap didn't seal completely??
(seems a little loose)--
might take it to the dealer to get their opinion...

919Hooligan · 10-03-2005, 03:36 PM

I have the Fi2000 so I have not had my tank off. I notice it a lot more with the windshield because the wind doesn't waft it away. In fact, it never really bothered me until I put it on. It's definetly coming from the gas cap. I'm going to stop by the dealer tomorrow and talk to the head mechanic there. Today I was even noticing it at low speeds, like 25mph. If I open my faceshield I don't notice, but if I close it the fumes creep up inside. It drives me nuts sometimes.

jpwM50 · 10-03-2005, 04:14 PM

Just by wild chance, do you guys have the gas cap on backwards? I don't know if this would be your problem either, but see if the arrow is at the top on the gas cap where it should be. Maybe it doesn't seal properly if the arrow is pointing down.

Mavman · 10-03-2005, 05:49 PM

When I woke up this morning and I smelled gas...WTF

...I don't have an fi....I've never removed the tank

Then I realized it was the beans and ham we had for Sunday dinner....WHEW

SORRY......back to original programming

bakdoor · 10-05-2005, 04:17 PM

Hello All,

This is my first post on this forum, glad to be here. I was pretty psyched to find an "all M50, all the time" station. Very cool.

I too, have had the gas fumes issue. I notice it mostly right after I fill the tank and for a little while after it, and when it's warm out. For ex: Monday, I rode to work, was cold in the AM, filled up on the way to work, parked at work, then went back out 2 hours later--now, it's filled up and it's warmer out, and now I can smell gas. Now today, rode again, it's cooler all day and the tank's half full, and no fumes.

All this leads me to believe that it is indeed the gas cap venting. Any other ideas?

Mavman · 10-05-2005, 04:26 PM

first of all WELCOME, glad ta have you aboard........

On a serious note....the only other thing I can possibly think of that hasn't been mentioned is maybe filling the tank up to far....I know I've caught myself too late filling it up into the neck and that's the only time I've noticed the gas smell pretty bad, ever since then, I've been careful not to and not smelled it.

919Hooligan · 10-05-2005, 08:07 PM

On mine it doesn't matter if it's full or empty. It's worse if the bike has been sitting in the sun, and worse on deccel. I stopped and talk to the dealer who treated me like I was a moron, so I called the Suzuki customer care line and they say it's the first they've heard of it. I guess the tank builds pressure easily due to the return line from the fuel injection and the cap vents easily to help keep pressure down. Either way I suppose I'll just have to live with it.

Mavman · 10-05-2005, 09:15 PM

Live with it.....possibly, BUT if none of the possiblilities above apply ya might look into replacing the gas cap-(hopefully it's not too expensive), by chance it's faulty and doesn't seat properly.......and see if that does the trick, if not you could always sell it.

qwikz · 10-05-2005, 10:30 PM

The reason you smell gas on a parked motorcycle(more so on a carb'd bike then a fuel injection) is because unlike a car,motorcycles dont have all those emmision controling devices installed like cars do.Open the hood on your car and usually mounted by the firewall is a charcol canister,the job of that canister is to trap fuel vapours and re-route them back to the tank to be burned again when the car is running rather then just venting them out into the atmosphere.Because there are far less bikes on the road compared to cars the goverment hasnt clamped down on the bike mfgs yet but give it a few more years and you'll see more and more emission controling devices on bikes,some newer higher end bikes already have them.
And yes,my bike smells of gas too when parked

919Hooligan · 10-06-2005, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwikz

The reason you smell gas on a parked motorcycle(more so on a carb'd bike then a fuel injection) is because unlike a car,motorcycles dont have all those emmision controling devices installed like cars do.Open the hood on your car and usually mounted by the firewall is a charcol canister,the job of that canister is to trap fuel vapours and re-route them back to the tank to be burned again when the car is running rather then just venting them out into the atmosphere.Because there are far less bikes on the road compared to cars the goverment hasnt clamped down on the bike mfgs yet but give it a few more years and you'll see more and more emission controling devices on bikes,some newer higher end bikes already have them.
And yes,my bike smells of gas too when parked

Thanks, I appreiciate the info! The fact is though that I've owned many cars (40) and many bikes (50), I know all about the emmissions control systems, I know exactly how everything is supposed to work, I've rebuilt and restored my life savings away; but what bothers me is that almost every bike I've had has been from the sixties or the seventies and none of them have ever done this. This is my first brand new bike and the first to give off so many fumes through the cap that it bothers me. I just feel that a brand new bike should be better than the old ones, which in a lot of ways it is, but I shouldn't have to put up with piddly crap like the tank venting in my face. When spring comes around I'll take off the windscreen and I won't smell it because the wind takes it away, but while it's chilly out I'll just put up with it. I won't like it, but I'll put up with it.

TaterDog · 10-14-2005, 10:12 AM

I've experienced this -- sometimes worse than others. I turned the gas cap around and it seemed to get better, or maybe I'm just getting used to it.

KNIGHTENFORCER · 10-14-2005, 11:41 PM

Have you noticed that not all the M50's has the evap canister?...I have the canister holder on my M50, behind the right side cover but my bike came without the canister...I think only the CAlif M50's have them to comply with CA emissions.

919Hooligan · 10-15-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNIGHTENFORCER

Have you noticed that not all the M50's has the evap canister?...I have the canister holder on my M50, behind the right side cover but my bike came without the canister...I think only the CAlif M50's have them to comply with CA emissions.

You're right, only the CA model has the canister. I bet that would eliminate the fumes, or at least reduce them.

10-02-2005, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	Excessive gasoline fumes I think I may have a problem with my gas cap. Do you people that have windshields smell gas fumes when you sit at a stoplight? If your bike has been sitting in the sun for a few hours do you smell fumes when you sit on it? If you pull your bike in the garage after a long ride and close it up and then go out in the garage 15 minutes later does it smell of gasoline? Mine does all these things, yet it has no leaks. I think the cap is venting more than it should. If anyone else experiances this, please let me know. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf.

10-03-2005, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,268	I've noticed it more since I put my pipe on. The one thing three of us have in common here is we've taken our tanks off. I noticed it strong immediately after, because there was some difficulty getting that plastic retainer clip to snap back into place after I reattached the line. I did get it to snap and seat properly. But the first few times I rode afterward I had a heavy smell of fuel. It has by and large disappeared now. EDIT: Zuki.....Thanks for the Power Commander install step-by-step. I read over yours and the stock instructions. There were a couple of things that you had that supplemented/complimented the stock install docs. Once again, thanks for providing info on something you could have easily kept to yourself. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/31 Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies Last edited by intimid8er; 10-03-2005 at 09:10 AM.

10-03-2005, 09:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,268	Hooligan, my bad....I forgot you are running the Cobra FI2000, does that require you to take the tank off to plug it in? __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/31 Flogging Molly - Drunken Lullabies

10-03-2005, 03:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	I have the Fi2000 so I have not had my tank off. I notice it a lot more with the windshield because the wind doesn't waft it away. In fact, it never really bothered me until I put it on. It's definetly coming from the gas cap. I'm going to stop by the dealer tomorrow and talk to the head mechanic there. Today I was even noticing it at low speeds, like 25mph. If I open my faceshield I don't notice, but if I close it the fumes creep up inside. It drives me nuts sometimes. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf.

10-05-2005, 08:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	On mine it doesn't matter if it's full or empty. It's worse if the bike has been sitting in the sun, and worse on deccel. I stopped and talk to the dealer who treated me like I was a moron, so I called the Suzuki customer care line and they say it's the first they've heard of it. I guess the tank builds pressure easily due to the return line from the fuel injection and the cap vents easily to help keep pressure down. Either way I suppose I'll just have to live with it. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf.

10-02-2005, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	its not all that abnormal for a garage to smell of gas after pulling in a hot car/bike is it? i notice i smell of exhaust after riding in the city a lot, but that is other people's, not mine.

10-03-2005, 09:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	I have no smell of gas, and I have not taken my tank off.

10-03-2005, 10:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
farmbone Fender Buffer Joined: May 2005 Bike: M50 Blk Location: South Bend , IN Posts: 429	I installed the cobra. I didn't have to take my tank off. The right side panel is where all the taps go. I don't smell gas either.

10-03-2005, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
mogle Newbie Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: '08 harley davidson 1200n sportster (nightster) Location: knoxville, tenessee Posts: 18	my m50 is only about a week old (450 miles) & i occasionally notice a hint of gasoline smell (mostly in the garage) couldn't tell if its coming from the gas cap or somewhere else. my first impression was that the gas cap didn't seal completely?? (seems a little loose)-- might take it to the dealer to get their opinion...

10-03-2005, 04:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	Just by wild chance, do you guys have the gas cap on backwards? I don't know if this would be your problem either, but see if the arrow is at the top on the gas cap where it should be. Maybe it doesn't seal properly if the arrow is pointing down.

10-05-2005, 04:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
bakdoor Seat Tester Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 Boulevard M50 Location: Bear Creek, PA Posts: 68	Hello All, This is my first post on this forum, glad to be here. I was pretty psyched to find an "all M50, all the time" station. Very cool. I too, have had the gas fumes issue. I notice it mostly right after I fill the tank and for a little while after it, and when it's warm out. For ex: Monday, I rode to work, was cold in the AM, filled up on the way to work, parked at work, then went back out 2 hours later--now, it's filled up and it's warmer out, and now I can smell gas. Now today, rode again, it's cooler all day and the tank's half full, and no fumes. All this leads me to believe that it is indeed the gas cap venting. Any other ideas?

10-05-2005, 10:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
qwikz Banned Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 05 M50 Red Location: Hamilton Posts: 39	The reason you smell gas on a parked motorcycle(more so on a carb'd bike then a fuel injection) is because unlike a car,motorcycles dont have all those emmision controling devices installed like cars do.Open the hood on your car and usually mounted by the firewall is a charcol canister,the job of that canister is to trap fuel vapours and re-route them back to the tank to be burned again when the car is running rather then just venting them out into the atmosphere.Because there are far less bikes on the road compared to cars the goverment hasnt clamped down on the bike mfgs yet but give it a few more years and you'll see more and more emission controling devices on bikes,some newer higher end bikes already have them. And yes,my bike smells of gas too when parked

10-14-2005, 10:12 AM	#18 (permalink)
TaterDog Clunked into first gear Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: '06 C50, '00 FLHTCI Location: Lenexa, KS Posts: 239	I've experienced this -- sometimes worse than others. I turned the gas cap around and it seemed to get better, or maybe I'm just getting used to it.

10-14-2005, 11:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
KNIGHTENFORCER Ditch Magnet Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: Suzuki M50 Black Location: NY Posts: 182	Have you noticed that not all the M50's has the evap canister?...I have the canister holder on my M50, behind the right side cover but my bike came without the canister...I think only the CAlif M50's have them to comply with CA emissions. __________________ " No matter what bike you ride, Just Ride Safe! and have Fun!" my ride http://community.webshots.com/album/152105785POImxY S&S intake install pics -->:http://community.webshots.com/album/462006004oivzAw

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