Water in petrol tank

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

I havent put this is workshop as its not presented itself as a problem YET.

This morning I went to fill up and opened the petrol cap. As it opened I noticed a lot of water around the neck, and some of this (about 30ml I'd guess) dropped into the tank. This seems like bad design, as there was no way i could stop it. I think it must be leaking in through the top rubber gaskets, although they look ok, but you cant tell untill you open the filler by which time by default you're allowing it to run into the tank :/

Anyway, there was nothing I could do so i just filled up and went on my way. There doesnt apprear to be any problem - the bike did the 20 mile commute without missing a beat, but could this come back to bite me? What happens when water mixes with petrol?

To be honest there are one or two niggly little design flaws with this bike thats making me start to regret the purchase a bit. Nothing major, but stuff like this never happenned with any of my japanese bikes!

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

There is always a little water in with your petrol. Just as long as it dosn't get drowned in it you'll be fine.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

stick some meths into the tank to absorb it or drain the tank and don't use reserve.

you can drain the tank and skim off the petrol if you are really tight about it
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

cant be arsed draining it, and doesnt have a reserve.

The meths thing sounds like a good lazy option for me Very Happy

How much is some?

Jamie S · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Karma :

IIRC water is heaver than petrol so it will have gone to the bottom of the tank , the fuel tap is at the bottom of the tank , thus meaning it will have gone out of the tank by now.

Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

Jamie's half right, which is 100% more than usual.

Water sinks in petrol. So it'll sit at the bottom. Your fuel feed is usually on a stalk so it only takes fresh petrol missing out any shite at the bottom.

If it starts sucking the water where it needs petrol it obviously won't fire. So drain float bowls. Although this shouldn't happen, unless you go onto reserve (which you don't have) as it uses the crap at the bottom of the tank.

Personally I'd just whip the tank off when it's really low and drain it. It won't cause you any immediate problems though.

Gaz