Gas leaking?

GoldenMotor.com

fogell420

New Member
Oct 14, 2012
21
0
0
Portland Oregon
My bike is always leaking gas. I took off the gas tank, and filled it up with water and left it for a few minutes, and nothing was leaking out (so its not the gas tank or the fuel petcock). its not the carburetor either. it looks as though its leaking from the bottom of the gas tank. i feel frustrated. someone help?>:-||
 

Nashville Kat

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2009
1,501
55
48
Jacksonville, Florida
I've also had a leaky line that I thought was an overlowing float bowl for a time- so inspect that carefully too-

but yes sounds like you may have cracked the bottom of the tank tightening the bottom nuts too much



Announcer: "He's on FIRE! Aaaron's on FIRE!"

Mr. Yamamura: "Gas reaking?"-

Grand Prix 1968
 
Last edited:

CTripps

Active Member
Aug 22, 2011
1,310
1
38
Vancouver, B.C.
Check the tank.. The material they are made from is paper thin. I had a pinhole leak in one from where a cable-stay on the bike frame barely came in contact with the tank. It would take a while to show, since it was wicking along the crossbar and the bottom of the tank, which also made it trickier to track down. I used a bit of gas tank repair putty on it after it was all cleaned up and it hasn't dripped since. (I also remounted the tank a half inch farther down the crossbar, so that shouldn't happen again).
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
175
63
Littleton, Colorado
Go to any good auto parts store and ask for a tube of Seal-Al. It's made to repair leaks like yours and is compatible with gasoline. Follow the instructions on the label.
Don't try a silicone based product or a cheap epoxy.
The best repair is to have a competent welder fix it for you. Other methods are just bandaids.

Tom
 

CTripps

Active Member
Aug 22, 2011
1,310
1
38
Vancouver, B.C.
Water also doesn't have quite the same properties as gas. The vapour from the gas will cause a slight pressurization inside the tank which can be just enough to force the gas out.

Glad to hear you found it. Work a bit of gas-tank putty in around the stud and once it sets you should be fine.