Possible Water in Fuel

**Johnny** · 06 Sep 08, 01:32 PM

Washed the bike today and also let it get soaked by a shower. Drying down I noticed a trickle of what I take to be water coming from the Fuel cap. Upon opening the cap about a table spoon of water ran into the half full tank.

A -Do I need to drain the tank now
B -Anyone know were the drain line is and what could stop it working

**Mr.R** · 06 Sep 08, 04:03 PM

Hi,
A tablespoon of water will make c*ck all difference in the tank, but if left it may rust out the bottom of the tank eventually.
On the 851/888's there's a drain bolt in the bottom of the lefthand side of the tank, these were also fitted to other Duke models, there was a thread about this some time ago.
Just run the bike until the tanks almost completely empty and throw away what's left.

Steve R

**MarkST** · 06 Sep 08, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny

Anyone know were the drain line is

Drain line ? wot's one a dem boys den ?
There's a drain plug at rear rhs of tank slightly rearwards of, and central to, the fuel lines - take the seat off, run your fingers under the rear rhs of tank, and you'll feel it. Steve's right though, and if the tank has never been flushed, there will be water in there anyway, as well as the tablespoonful you saw go in.

**Masher** · 06 Sep 08, 05:51 PM

Condensation creates quite a lot of water in your tank, especially if you dont make a habit of keeping your tank full.
The less internal tank area thats exposed to air the smaller the area thats available for condensation to form.
Either keep your tank topped up when its not in use or (if its off the road drain the tank completely and keep it in a dry environent. Just like I do (Not).

**MarkST** · 06 Sep 08, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masher

Either keep your tank topped up when its not in use or (if its off the road drain the tank completely and keep it in a dry environent. Just like I do (Not).

Or put something like POR15 fuel preservative and stabiliser in it if you lay it up for a long spell.

FUEL PRESERVATIVE/STABILIZER-POR-15 Inc.

**northworthy** · 06 Sep 08, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny

Washed the bike today and also let it get soaked by a shower. Drying down I noticed a trickle of what I take to be water coming from the Fuel cap. Upon opening the cap about a table spoon of water ran into the half full tank.

A -Do I need to drain the tank now
B -Anyone know were the drain line is and what could stop it working

Johnny
As Mark has already said there's the drain plug - easy to find and easy to do.

Now if your breather/drain pipe is blocked also (as no fluids should sit around the underside of the fuel cap) then do this test:

1: There are two escape vents connected to the "breather / drain pipe" - one is located directly under the fuel cap (a black protruding nipple that fits flush with a tiny breather hole on the underside of the fuel cap that sits at 6 o'clock as you sit on the bike) and a second one that is flush with the base plate that surrounds tank fuel filler hole at 9 o'clock as you are sitting on the bike.

2: To test for blockages simply cover with your finger one of these two vents and then get down to the exit of the "breather / drain pipe" (should be somewhere below your oil filler sight glass) and blow up through the pipe. You should feel air coming out of the hole. Then repeat by covering the other vent. If air does not come out of either of the two vents, the pipe is blocked or pinched somewhere along its route.

3: Note that this pipe has a "Y" junction just underneath the tank where the base plate sits for the removal of the fuel pump etc. Hence the two vents when you look from above under your filler cap as if you are tanking up with fuel.

4:Fluids retained around the filler cap suggests tome that it is the 9'oclock vent that is blocked as this is designed to help escape fuel when you have overfilled the petrol tank. Under normal circumstances a bicycle air pump is enough to clear it.

**Johnny** · 06 Sep 08, 07:05 PM

Thanks All,

I shall drain a bit tomorrow. This was done last year as the filter was replaced. When I lifted the tank the rest of the water drained back through the screw holes. I also notice that the 6 o'clock drain line was not connected under the tank, so I reconnected and squeezed the pipe to check for blocks. Also had a clean up up there.

I think I have traced the exit but I am not sure. It appears to come out by the site glass as Nog said but what is the squashed smarty type thing that sits between the two halves of the bottom fairing? This has fouled on the exhaust and is now broken.

I know the drain did work as I have often filled up on the centre stand then put it on the side and seen fuel pi%% all over the floor.

BTW my mate in Holland had his 4S set it's self on fire - may have been this

**northworthy** · 06 Sep 08, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny

Thanks All,
I think I have traced the exit but I am not sure. It appears to come out by the site glass as Nog said but what is the squashed smarty type thing that sits between the two halves of the bottom fairing? This has fouled on the exhaust and is now broken.

1:You have traced it - by the oil sight (not American "site") glass.
2: The "squashed" pipe that is retained between the L/S & R/S bottom fairing pieces is the air box expansion relief hose. If it is broken in any way it will affect the pressure in the air box. How critical this is to performance I have no idea - consult Steve or Captain Chaos!

Q: Who's "NOG"?

**Johnny** · 06 Sep 08, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

Q: Who's "NOG"?

Sorry - I am drunk

**Masher** · 06 Sep 08, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

1:You have traced it - by the oil sight (not American "site") glass.
2: The "squashed" pipe that is retained between the L/S & R/S bottom fairing pieces is the air box expansion relief hose. If it is broken in any way it will affect the pressure in the air box. How critical this is to performance I have no idea - consult Steve or Captain Chaos!

Q: Who's "NOG"?

Nogaromill999 ???

**MarkST** · 06 Sep 08, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

Q: Who's "NOG"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masher

Nogaromill999 ???

But David (Nogaromill999) hasn't posted on this thread.
I think Johnny (Johnny??) must mean Steve, (Mr.R)
It's all too confusing, I cant keep up

**Johnny** · 07 Sep 08, 08:22 AM

I post with Nog and NW a lot and got my wires crossed - there was drink involved

In any case thanks for the advice - I shall report asap

**northworthy** · 07 Sep 08, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny

Sorry - I am drunk

Inebriate on a Saturday evening is worthy of an accolade not an apology (so long as it was not done on meths). Carry on the good work.

**Johnny** · 07 Sep 08, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northworthy

Inebriate on a Saturday evening is worthy of an accolade not an apology (so long as it was not done on meths). Carry on the good work.

It is the Rule in this house- Any news on Pav - PM me when you get time

**Carbon749** · 07 Sep 08, 10:12 AM

Did you know that LEGALLY fuel can contain up to 6% water and still be in specification.

A tea spoon of water added to a fuel tank will make no difference at all.