Author Topic: Fuel leak.  (Read 1146 times)

Offline Bradders

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Fuel leak.
« on: March 24, 2019, 04:48:09 PM »
Afternoon. Probably a silly question but thought I would ask anyway. Re fuelled my bike last night in readiness for riding to work this afternoon. As I pushed my bike out of the garage put it on its sidestand and turned the fuel tap on. Closed the garage door and went back to my bike to find fuel dripping underneath the bike. Is this normal? It stopped once I started my bike up. Lovely ride into work though through Windsor Great Park and along Runnymede. Just the sort of thing I bought the bike for. 😀

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2019, 04:55:57 PM »
It's not normal. But happens often.
It worthwhile using some REDEX carb cleaner every so often to clean out tank.fuel lines and carb jets and needles.
It's just a sticky float or needle jet.
Try tapping float bowl with plastic hammer or similar to give it a shake up.

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Offline kevski

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2019, 05:15:43 PM »
It's a frequent occurrence with a lot of old carbs where the valve is brass to brass, could be sticky needle or a tiny bit of rubbish, and as you found once up and running it clears itself.

Offline Bradders

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2019, 05:19:00 PM »
Thanks John. Will try some Redex. Do you just pour it straight into the petrol tank?

Offline Moorey

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2019, 05:29:17 PM »
Remember when garage forecourts had Redex and 2stroke oil dispensers on them.  :)

Offline SteveW

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2019, 05:40:01 PM »
I always turn the fuel tap off about 1/4 mile before I get home so the carbs are pretty empty when I put her back in the garage.
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Offline SteveD CB500K0

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2019, 05:59:05 PM »
Remember when garage forecourts had Redex and 2stroke oil dispensers on them.  :)

Yep.

I had a Raleigh Runabout 50cc when I was 16 (1974)
Petrol was 10/- a gallon and you added your own 2 Stroke oil from the squirter thing on the forecourt.


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Offline kevski

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2019, 06:26:31 PM »
Remember when garage forecourts had Redex and 2stroke oil dispensers on them.  :)

Yep.

I had a Raleigh Runabout 50cc when I was 16 (1974)
Petrol was 10/- a gallon and you added your own 2 Stroke oil from the squirter thing on the forecourt.


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I had a Raleigh Runabout and a Wisp at about the same time, i was about 12, then i got a 56/57 Lambretta ld125, they all got thrashed to death, and they all had the same 20 to 1 mix from the Total garage at the end of our street, my sister worked there so sometime s it was cheaper than 10/- a gallon.

Offline Bradders

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2019, 06:33:04 PM »
Thanks for your replies Guys. I’ll try some Redex. Also Peter the previous owner advised turning the tap off before you get home to run the bowls dry but I sometimes forget....

Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2019, 06:36:28 PM »
Thanks John. Will try some Redex. Do you just pour it straight into the petrol tank?
Yes.a 500ml bottle with give 3 good cleaning doses .

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Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2019, 06:38:28 PM »
Ten bob a gallon? That’s outrageous - in 1965 when I started it was 4s 4d for the cheap stuff and 4s 10d for 5 star 100 octane.  Mind you, I was getting £3 9s 1d a week as a first year apprentice with Hawker Siddeley.

So I could buy 14 gallons (about 63 litres) with all my wages, that would cost about £80 these days - cheap innit?

But as for Redex - been using it most of my motoring life and it’s even more necessary these days with this bio-shite buggering up our older systems - just add the correct amount to the tank and it mixes easily and doesn’t go ‘off’ like the untreated stuff.

Ian

Offline Moorey

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2019, 06:40:02 PM »
A garage not far from me is still independent and puts it in for you and doesn't accept cheques or cards. Its not that long ago he stopped selling 5star petrol. Still has pumps for red diesel, kerosene and parrafin. Its a garage version of Arkwrights shop.

Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2019, 06:43:23 PM »
Yeah, but that’s in God’s Country!
Ian

Offline Bradders

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2019, 06:54:42 PM »
Just been to check and the leak seems to of stopped but will definitely try Redex this week.

Offline Green1

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Re: Fuel leak.
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2019, 09:24:32 PM »
I know of an independant garage that only takes cash and he fills up for you. If you go near the pump you get a slap on the wrist.
The only thing he seems to sell in his shop is WD40  ???
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