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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fuel problem after sitting and at highway speed
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Message started by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 18:46:11

Title: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway speed
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 18:46:11

Hi all,

In July I started having a fuel problem with my savage. If it sat for about a week or so without being started the fuel in the external filter would drain out (no drips on floor and no fuel in crankcase) and the bike wouldn't start unless I pulled the gas cap and pressurized the tank to force fuel into the carb. I have a manual converted petthingy and it was in the "off" position while sitting.

Then while riding at about 60-65 mph on a flat road with air temp between 75-80F the bike began to sputter like it was running out of fuel so I switched to reserve but the bike still stalled. While on the side of the road I noticed that there was no fuel in the fuel filter so I took off the gas cap and pressurized the tank forcing fuel into the carb and it was fine till I got home.

Is this a problem with my gas cap not allowing air into the tank or my petthingy leaking air into the fuel line while in "off" position? I noticed the similar "Bizzar" thread but I don't believe it's the same problem because it was not cold at the time and I have a manual petthingy.

Thanks,
JakeB

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by gj859 on 12/22/07 at 18:51:26

I'm new to Jake, but did you hear a sucking sound when you removed the gas cap?

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 19:04:44

Nope, no sucking noises when I pulled the gas cap. When I fill the tank and staraighten the bike up I can hear the gas pushing air out through the cap, so it seems like the cap would allow air to replace fuel as it is being used. Unless there is something in the cap acting as a reed valve.

Thanks,
Jake B

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by Reelthing on 12/22/07 at 19:11:02

have you had a look at the float? most often they stick open - but that's the only valve left if you manual mod on the petc0ck

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 19:18:18

No, I haven't looked at the float yet. That would make sense for the problem at highway speed, but not sure how it would cause the problem while sitting.

Thanks,
JakeB

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by Reelthing on 12/22/07 at 19:24:07

might be stickin hard closed - could just whack the bowl a couple times with it does this and see if it fills up

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 19:30:51

I'll try that tomorrow, hopefully it helps. I put a cheap fuel filter from Autozone on it around the same time the problem started. Do you think the filter could have a leak small enough to leak air but not gas?

Thanks,
Jake

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by Reelthing on 12/22/07 at 19:37:30

should flow gas anyway - if that tank is full there's enough presure to pour out pretty strong - unless the petc0ck is acting strange

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by gj859 on 12/22/07 at 19:38:12

Please don't think I'm trying to be a smartalec but maybe you should take the fuel filter out of the system and see if that helps.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by Reelthing on 12/22/07 at 19:38:57

your gas line just goes pretty much straight down right?

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 19:48:39

Yes, the gas line goes pretty much straight down. Also there was a fuel filter on it before and never had any trouble with it. I could try putting the old filter back on pretty easily. If I have some fuel line laying around I will try completely removing the filter. Thanks for all the ideas so far. Hopefully it will be warm enough tomorrow to go for a ride.

Thanks,
Jake

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by Reelthing on 12/22/07 at 20:00:48

NE Ohio! - some of that frozen stuff around there I would think -

if you have a case where there is no gas in the filter (assume it's glass?) and the petc0ck is on - if you take the line off the carb does
gas start to run out of the line? - if so it's a stuck float or needle - if not it's futher up the path

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by T Mack 1 on 12/22/07 at 20:02:03

Replace the filter.

Had this problem on my sons Rupp mini-bike, which is also a gravity flow system. The filter gets just enough fine dirt in it that it causes a restriction. Then it doesn't let the air that is in the line go either back to the tank or in to the carb. THat's why you had to pressurize the tank. I'm not 100% sure, but it might be call "air locked".

Note: changing the filter is cheap. Do the cheap things first!!!

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/22/07 at 20:15:44

Reelthing,
It was actually in the 40s today and hasn't snowed for a week so the weather isn't too horrible for riding. I think your right about the stuck float and I will confirm that tomorrow.

T Mack,
Had the same thought but the filter was only on there for a month at most before I started having the problem. If the float isn't stuck I will try running the old filter and no filter and if that fixes it I will replace the filter.

Thanks,
JakeB

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by bill67 on 12/22/07 at 20:43:58

Take off the filter and put it back the way suzuki made it and your problems will be over.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by verslagen1 on 12/22/07 at 22:02:51

604B414F682A0 wrote:

I put a cheap fuel filter from Autozone on it around the same time the problem started.

If this was the only change, then this is the problem. If you put a fuel filter on meant for a car, most have pumps now adays. So could have too much restriction for a gravity feed. Try a lawn mower filter.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by demin on 12/23/07 at 05:04:37

You don't have to put it back the way it was made.I run an external fuel filters on all my stuff and they are fine.A $2.00 filter is cheaper,and easier than a carb rebuild. ;)I,m thinking it's in your petc0ck.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by bill67 on 12/23/07 at 05:36:34

Do you people put extra filters on your car too?

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/23/07 at 07:33:41

It was the float. I pulled the plug on the carb this morning and then tapped the side with a screw driver and the float broke free and fuel started running out. I don't think that the filter was the problem because the fuel ran out of the bottom of the carb at probably a quart per minute and I know the bike can't use that much fuel even at WOT. Still not sure where the fuel was going when it was sitting, airbox maybe, or evaporating (but I think that would take longer than a week)? Thanks again to everyone for all the help.

JakeB

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by demin on 12/23/07 at 07:57:26

Check your oil alot of times the gas will go to the crankcase.And Yes I do run an extra filter right by my carb,to catch whatever the fuel line might have in it.
Bill you should open a shop restoring bikes,you are the smartest one on this site. :-/

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by bill67 on 12/23/07 at 08:01:36

Dembo thats not saying much ;D

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/23/07 at 08:07:29

Fuel didn't go into the crankcase I always check my oil before I ride and the level never increased.

Thanks,
JakeB

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by gj859 on 12/23/07 at 08:10:22

Glad you got it sorted out Jake. george

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by demin on 12/23/07 at 08:12:46

Cool,just covering the basics.Where are you in n.e. Ohio.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/23/07 at 08:17:24

I'm in Concord which is very close to Mentor if you know where that is. It's about 55F right now but raining and it's supposed to start snowing later, so I don't think I'll get to go for a ride. :'(

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by demin on 12/23/07 at 08:23:21

Yep,up on the water.Used to teach MSF classes in Lakeland,and at Tri C.Geneva/Madison used to be my weekend hangouts,I miss it up there sometimes. :)It's about 35 in Dallas area right now.Figures I go south to stay warm,cold follows. >:(

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by JakeB on 12/23/07 at 09:06:33

Yeah, I took the MSF course at Lakeland. Gets full early in the year, but I was able to walk in being 16 at the time (youngest in the class). Boy were the people waiting at the back of the room pissed when I just walked in and didn't have to do the lotto or pay the $25. ;D

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by steely on 12/23/07 at 21:52:32

3B3035356F6E590 wrote:

Do you people put extra filters on your car too?

Yeah, my '58 Belair has an aftermarket fuel filter on it. Only because I know that there is some crap in the tank.

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by bill67 on 12/24/07 at 16:35:14

Demin should start a motorcyle company he knows more than they know ;D

Title: Re: Fuel problem after sitting and at highway spee
Post by slavy on 12/24/07 at 19:08:34

take the petkock off the gas tank and drain all the gas. Clean the inside of the petkock and the screen that is in the gas tank. Put everything back together and there will be no more problems.