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Smell gas fumes

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by HalfCentury, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    When I ride my bike I can smell gasoline at speed up to 45 mph during the entire ride.

    There is no smell from the bike in the garage left overnight.

    Is this typical?
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    No. Suspect leaky gas cap seal, only leaks when being vibrated or "sloshed?"
     
  3. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    That should be easy to replace.
    I will give it a try.

    I usually move the bike outside and I do notice the smell some before I fire it up.

    Thanks
     
  4. Ass.Fault

    Ass.Fault Active Member

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    Is there evidence of either leaking floatbowl drains
    OR
    a petcock leaking whilst vaccum is present(while running)
    OR
    Running SUPER Rich??

    Fitz got to the 1st suspect already
     
  5. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    Checked the float bowls after I cleaned the carbs. No overflow.

    Petcock is a wacky non-standard but it is off when the bike is off. Found out which on is always on the hard way. The petcock is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Weird.

    No fouling of plugs which are either tan or a little lean.
     
  6. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    whip out your air filter & have a sniff.
     
  7. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    Air filter smells like gas for sure.
     
  8. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Then Fitz was probably wrong (or half, the gas cap could be leaky too, one of mine is) you may have a float that sticks only sometimes. How confident are you of that petcock? Air filter w/gas in it usually indicates a carb peeing when it ought not...
     
  9. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    I tested the petcock by accident with an unplanned open line.
    I quickly turned the petcock until the gas flow turned off. Thats where I run it now. The petcock ppositions are 12 oclock, 3 oclock and 6 oclock. Open is 3 oclock. Run is 12 oclock. No idea what 6 oclock does.

    A closeup picture of the petcock is in my gallery.

    There could be a float needle/valve/float problem.
    I guess the only way to really know is to install hoses on the drains and open the drain screws. Yes?
     
  10. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    No idea what 6 oclock does.(quote)

    6 o'clock is tea time.
     
  11. HalfCentury

    HalfCentury Member

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    I tried drinking tea at 6 oclock once but I had to either give up the clutch lever or the brake lever. Either way its a very difficult ride.
     
  12. sealionnn

    sealionnn New Member

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    Hey, old post but I just found this on a search. My bike doesn't smell of gas, but when I pull the filter it has a gas smell up close. I just replaced my old one because it looked really black and appeared wet with gas, but that might have just been the oil on the foam. Anyway, it's a brand new K&N filter that I just put about 90 miles on. Having just replaced the old one, I'd love to find out what is causing the gas smell before possibly ruining my new one.

    The bike rides like new now, but there is still popping in my exhaust, which I'm guessing is because of the gas sitting in my exhaust from when my filter was plugged up and bike was running poorly.
     
  13. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Popping under deceleration generally indicates a lean condition.

    Gas/oil in your air filter generally indicates a FLOAT ISSUE filling your crankcase with gas and the resultant mix being pumped into the airbox via the breather.

    It sounds like you have two issues that need to be corrected.
     

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