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Fuel leak........... Sometimes!

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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 11:30 PM
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Default Fuel leak........... Sometimes!

I own a 2000 FLSTC(Heritage Softail) When I fuel up and top the tank off the bike leaks fuel sometimes. It ends up dripping right by the shock(mid bike) this does not happen everytime I fill it. Any ideas or experiences? The bike is carbureted...
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 02:34 AM
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Where it's leaking sounds like where the overflow line ends.
Is it a warm/hot day when you top it off? Might be as simple as expanding from the heat and overflowing.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 02:36 AM
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My 01 Fatboy always did it when it was super full especially when it was real hot.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 04:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Kowan
Where it's leaking sounds like where the overflow line ends.
Is it a warm/hot day when you top it off? Might be as simple as expanding from the heat and overflowing.



Come to think of it, Everytime it leaked it was filled to the very top, didn't know it had an overflow. Thanks man......
 

Last edited by skiddd; Dec 5, 2012 at 04:10 AM.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 05:52 AM
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That is the fuel tank overflow. It comes off the front of the tank and runs down there. Mine does it when it's super hot out. The simple answer is do not top off. Look at the front of the tank and find the rubber hose that runs down to the back of the bike. As long as you do not fill up higher than that it will not leak. The hose comes off under the dash unless you remove the dash.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Hogpro
That is the fuel tank overflow. It comes off the front of the tank and runs down there. Mine does it when it's super hot out. The simple answer is do not top off. Look at the front of the tank and find the rubber hose that runs down to the back of the bike. As long as you do not fill up higher than that it will not leak. The hose comes off under the dash unless you remove the dash.



Thank you Robert, I appreciate the help and information. Eases my mind 100%.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 06:41 AM
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I was always convinced that there was still something wrong with mine but it has been doing int in high heat for 7 years so I think all is okay. Then I decided that it was something having to do with the fuel pump inside the tank but I replaced all that stuff and it still does it so it is considered "normal" to me. Glad I could help. Mine is a 2002 so maybe it is just us guys with the "older" bikes.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by skiddd
I own a 2000 FLSTC(Heritage Softail) When I fuel up and top the tank off the bike leaks fuel sometimes. It ends up dripping right by the shock(mid bike) this does not happen everytime I fill it. Any ideas or experiences? The bike is carbureted...
It's the overflow...when it's warm out and you top off on your way home, loosen the gas cap when you get to where you're going and that will let it vent and stop the overflow from dripping all over the garage or parking space.

During the summer, I top off when LEAVING, not when coming home, that avoide that problem.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Guitardude
It's the overflow...when it's warm out and you top off on your way home, loosen the gas cap when you get to where you're going and that will let it vent and stop the overflow from dripping all over the garage or parking space.

During the summer, I top off when LEAVING, not when coming home, that avoide that problem.




Good idea, thanks man. I do top off on the way in. Gonna do it on the way out for now. I top off after because I keep my bike outside most of the time(under two covers) and wanted to avoid condensation......
 
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Hogpro
I was always convinced that there was still something wrong with mine but it has been doing int in high heat for 7 years so I think all is okay. Then I decided that it was something having to do with the fuel pump inside the tank but I replaced all that stuff and it still does it so it is considered "normal" to me. Glad I could help. Mine is a 2002 so maybe it is just us guys with the "older" bikes.



I'm glad its pretty common. I like my older ride, in fact I like EVERY HARLEY I ever saw, and want every one I see.
 
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