Switchback Leaks Gasoline
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Switchback Leaks Gasoline
I've got a problem with my new Switchback that the dealership can't fix and the factory feels is perfectly acceptable. From day one my new Switchback has dripped gasoline from the tank vent line. Doesn't matter if the tank is full, half or empty whenever I park the bike gasoline drips from the vent line. If I park it in my garage the whole garage stinks of gas and it leaves several drops on the floor. The drops stain the floor and can't be removed with cleaners or solvent. The dealer has replaced every component in the system to include a new gas tank, still drips. The factory tells me that leaking gas on the floor and stinking up the garage is a "proper representation of the product". I wish the salesman or the owners manual would have told me to expect gas dripping from my new bike. I now must decide to take them to court or put up with this nonsense. It's a shame because I really like the bike. Any other Dyna owners seen this?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 894
Likes: 11
From: Canton, Oh
First welcome to the forum. I would tell them to let it sit in their showroom for a week, bet it would get fixed pretty quickly. I have a fatbob & it doesn't drip any gas, I can't even tell you where vent line is. What if you leave the gas cap off, does it still drip? I'm thinking something has to be creating pressure in your tank to cause a vent line to leak gas
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 36
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From: Omaha
The gas cap has been replaced, they tell me the cap only let's air into the tank and doesn't vent the pressure out of the tank. If I take the cap off after a ride it doesn't drip however, the garage still gets the gas smell and it's a nuisance. My buddy thinks the heat coming off the engine is causing the temps inside the tank to rise causing pressure build up?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
From: Southern NM
When you get it figured out let me know......I have had the same problem, dealer told me that the tank was overfilled....asked how an almost empty tank could have fuel coming out of the vent.....my bike has gasoline odor after every ride.....
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 894
Likes: 11
From: Canton, Oh
The gas cap has been replaced, they tell me the cap only let's air into the tank and doesn't vent the pressure out of the tank. If I take the cap off after a ride it doesn't drip however, the garage still gets the gas smell and it's a nuisance. My buddy thinks the heat coming off the engine is causing the temps inside the tank to rise causing pressure build up?
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have a 2011 S/B I have only seen mine leak once(and I wouldnt have know there was a vent line if it dindt leak) I rode about 250 miles and filled it up at the end of a ride, I must have toped it off too much. Got home parked it in the garage and it leaked (small drip) for about 25 mins than stopped. Never has leaked again, I would say yours isnt normal for a new bike or any Dyna for that matter.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 36
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From: Omaha
If I remove the cap after a ride and let the pressure in the tank out that way there is no leak. That's been my habit lately to park it in the garage remove the cap until it cools down then replace the cap. If I follow that routine it doesn't leak out the vent line.
The vent line runs from the front of the tank then rearward down the frame and dumps just behind the motor. It's a small about 1/8 inch black plastic line.
The vent line runs from the front of the tank then rearward down the frame and dumps just behind the motor. It's a small about 1/8 inch black plastic line.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 3
From: NW Florida
Safety issue if I ever heard one. Do you have a gas heater in your garage? Might look into the Lemon Law.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Oh yes! I'm all over the Lemon Law. The dealership wants to put on a California emissions kit which would collect the fumes and gas coming out of the vent line and hold them in a charcoal canister. The fumes in the canister then get purged out of the canister and burned in the motor upon start up. The factory does not recommend putting this emissions kit on the bike and feels dripping gasoline is all part of the Harley Davidson experience.