A very naive question but.......

[irishpan]

Hi, ,

Having fairly recently acquired a GS, I have what may appear a really simple or stupid question to ask. Is it normal for the well inside the petrol filler cap fill with water?
After washing the bike recently, I went down to fill up. In opening the filler cap, the well around the inside was full of water and in danger of spilling into the actual petrol compartment. I carefully mopped it up with kitchen roll but was left wondering if this is something other GSers had a problem with.

Any helpful advice/info. would be much appreciated.

 

[cookie]

there's a drain hole at 9 o clock that always blocks up. poke it out with a bit of wire & possibly a gentle application of air line.

too much may disconnect the pipe inside the tank which is more work to re-attach.

 

[John Armstrong]

A "good idea" is to park the bike on it's side stand if it's raining (and there isn't a tank bag to protect the filler) as then the drain hole is at the lowest point

As long as the drain hole is clear, no problems

 

[Tarka]

It`s a common problem.

As above,a gentle prodding with something like the tube from a can of WD40 often clears it.

If you`re going to try a blast of air,then a bicycle pump is far safer than an airline.

Once it`s clear,squirt some WD40/silicone spray/3 in 1 oil down it.

 

[irishpan]

Hi guys,

Problem solved with your help. There was so much grunge in the drain hole that it was totally invisible. Poked it out, gently cleared the debris, tested it with a small amount of water and - lo and behold - water came out of the rubber pipe below the bike. Result.

Many thanks all for your help and advice.
Cheers, Vic.

 

[jimbo]

After reading this I think I'll have little poke in my hole tonight, just to be on the safe side.

 

[Droopy Dick]

After reading this I think I'll have little poke in my hole tonight, just to be on the safe side.

But think how bad you'll feel when you find your hole is filled with black grunge.

 

[Flying banana]

I have had problems with this bloody drain hole blocking up. Try as I might, I cannot clear it. I have tried poking it, (ooer) but it just will not clear. I haven't tried an airline yet, but i am not convinced it will do the trick. Although I have not examined it closely, it would appear that to get at the back of the pipes is not easy, if at all possible. Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[Tarka]

I have had problems with this bloody drain hole blocking up. Try as I might, I cannot clear it. I have tried poking it, (ooer) but it just will not clear. I haven't tried an airline yet, but i am not convinced it will do the trick. Although I have not examined it closely, it would appear that to get at the back of the pipes is not easy, if at all possible. Any ideas?

Cheers

The 'back of the pipes' is actually a spiral tube wrapped around the filler neck,so you can`t really 'prod' it very far before hitting the curve of the tube.
I soaked one of mine for a few minutes in a mixture of Plus Gas and 3 in 1 then prodded it before blowing it clear from the lower end of the hose.

 

[Flying banana]

Tarka, that makes sense. I only managed to get so far down before it all came to a stop. I will have to make a concerted effort from the other end, I think.

Cheers

 

[Tarka]

Tarka, that makes sense. I only managed to get so far down before it all came to a stop. I will have to make a concerted effort from the other end, I think.

Cheers

Make sure yer not blowing along the 'breather' tube first.....if you`ve got one,there`ll be two same sized rubber pipes hanging behind the footrest brackets coming from the tank mounted fuel pump/filter plate. One is the drain hole and one is the breather.
Open the filler cap and gently blow along one of the pipes while listening carefully.......if you`re on the breather you`ll hear a hissing or bubbling from inside the tank.

 

[irishpan]

Hi Flying Banana,

I used some fine nylon from a strimmer to poke the grunge through the hole, twisting it as I pushed it and it cleared it easily.

I must say that I am somewhat relieved that I'm not the only one to have had this problem. I must say that the members on this site are brilliant when it comes to helping newbies with GS related issues. The pisstaking is also worthwhile.

Ride safe.

 

[Flying banana]

Irishpan, thats a bloody good idea, I wil try that

Cheers mate