Could it be teflon tape reacting to a fuel additive??
Fuel Line Problem?
When I got back from a short ride today on the fatboy I noticed some white goo on the primary cover and blown back to the oil tank, not a lot, maybe a teaspoon total. It came from where the fuel line (?) attaches to the valve at the base of the tank. The fuel line is covered with a plastic ribbed tubing and a rather odd looking a piece of tape is wrapped around where the line meets the valve. Dripping from this area is what appears to be a combination of gas and some white substance that is not greasy, but sticky (and no I was not whipping Wilbur, not on or near the bike anyway). WTF is with this? I'm going to let the dealer contend with this because the bike is only a year old, but after going to the garage a few minutes ago and detecting a noticable fuel smell (definitely coming from this area), should I even ride it there?
Lefty
Lefty
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Jams, thanks for the response. I have added stabil since I thought at any moment the bike would be up for awhile, but here in MO the winter has been unseasonably warm so I've been riding. Anyone ever heard of stabil doing this?
Lefty
Lefty
Not sure what sort of fuel blends they sell in your area, but it could be the fuel is just washing the thread sealant out. I never heard of Stabil causing any problems like this. Everything is tight?
As far as riding the bike, unless it is really leaking a lot it should be OK to ride.
A drip will evaporate pretty quick so it shouldn't be that big of a hazard. But that is something you need to decide.
As far as riding the bike, unless it is really leaking a lot it should be OK to ride.
A drip will evaporate pretty quick so it shouldn't be that big of a hazard. But that is something you need to decide.
Don't tell the dealer you added Stabil. If you do, they'll automatically blame you for the prob and refuse to cover it under warranty.
Is there a sealant used inside the tank by the MoCo that could be reacting with the stabil?
More than likely just thread sealer. When I buy 5 gallons of gas for my lawnmowers, saws, etc., I automatically add STABIL to the gas can as soon as I get it home cuz I don't know how long it will be sitting around. I've never had any negative effects on any motor from adding STABIL to the fuel. And I'd ride the bike there unless they'll pick it up for free....just carry a rag somewhere thats easy to get to and occasionally wipe it down.
:gun: Spoke with the service manager at my dealer today and he thought it sounded like a fuel leak where the line meets the valve that got to the sealant around the valve. Didn't ask about additives, etc. Just said to bring it in and he'd take care of it. I'll let you know what it turns out to be when they check it out.
Thanks for the replies!
Lefty
Thanks for the replies!
Lefty
I have used stabil in everything I have ever owned when I store it and it has NEVER caused any problems. I put it in my bike everytime it is going to sit for a while with no issues whatsoever. I will say for certainty that stabil was not the cause. A loose fitting probably was though.
I wonder if Harley didn't use some assembly lube on the production line when they made your bike to make the "o" ring slip onto the fuel tank nipple, The "o"ring might have got tore and the fuel leaking is rinsing the lube out of the fittting?
HD recommends putting "thread sealant with teflon" on the threads of the petcock when installing. That's probably what the white stuff is. But I'd say you do have a leak. Easy enough fix.
HD sells a fuel stabilizer too if I remember right so I wouldn't worry about. Which dealer do you use?Lefty said::gun: Spoke with the service manager at my dealer today and he thought it sounded like a fuel leak where the line meets the valve that got to the sealant around the valve. Didn't ask about additives, etc. Just said to bring it in and he'd take care of it. I'll let you know what it turns out to be when they check it out.
Thanks for the replies!
Lefty
I use Doc's in Kirkwood. They've been pretty good since I had one run in with them over a sportster about 18 months ago. I've heard Ted's is the best in the region, but I live in Kirkwood, too far from Alton. . .Craig, the service manager @ Doc's seems to be competent.cwo2lt said:HD sells a fuel stabilizer too if I remember right so I wouldn't worry about. Which dealer do you use?
Lefty
Sounds like a fuel tank sealent. Stabil won't do that, I've used plenty over the last four years and always run it out with no problems. Teflon sounds like it could have been the culprit and was my first choice until you said a spoon full. Sure there wasn't a goose overhead while you were riding.
Thanks. I haven't been into Ted's but once, too far away - I'm in Arnold. Doc's does seem to have a very good service dept. Only had to use them once and that was just a dyno run.Lefty said:I use Doc's in Kirkwood. They've been pretty good since I had one run in with them over a sportster about 18 months ago. I've heard Ted's is the best in the region, but I live in Kirkwood, too far from Alton. . .Craig, the service manager @ Doc's seems to be competent.
Lefty
csoday said:Sounds like a fuel tank sealent. Stabil won't do that, I've used plenty over the last four years and always run it out with no problems. Teflon sounds like it could have been the culprit and was my first choice until you said a spoon full. Sure there wasn't a goose overhead while you were riding.
If it was a goose, he'd been drinking gasoline. . .Lefty
Turns out it was a poorly seated O-ring at the line/valve connection which leaked and the leeching gasoline chemically broke down the sealant and the tape glue. 2nd bad O-ring on the bike, first on an oil line connection. The O-ring installer that day must have been hung over. . . .
Lefty
Lefty
Just be glad you don't have rusty nuts
:cheers: I just checked, no rust.
Lefty
Lefty
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