In research - it would seem there has been an issue with K2 fuel vapours. Mine is a K3 and just the other day I could smell gas-a-rine in the garage. There are four other bikes in there as well so off I went using my nose as a gas detector and nailed it down to the 1400. It was quickly removed to the vented workshop and left overnight. Returning in the morning, I was right as the smell was defo coming from the beast!
Since my back surgery last June I have been under strict instruction not to ride for a year and have obeyed the Sturgeons instructions so she has been sitting for a while! The gas was stabilized near full and in my readings it could be a number of 'things' causing this. I have been starting it fairly regularly and did so after moving it to the workshop. I checked it again this morning thinking the smell might have disappeared once it was brought up to temperature but wishful thinking!
I also see, what looks like, a small patch of antifreeze under the engine. I fear a big job coming on and will change out all the fluids before I get back on it in June-ish back all sorted. At 75 I am still capable of doing 'light' duty maintenance but this may be a shop job!
Any thoughts on the fuel smell appreciated and I know it could be injector seals, etc and will start to delve into the manuals to see what is involved - in the meantime just wondering if anyone has experience this issue?
:cheers:
Stan
Yep, on my K6 that sits around not being used. I can often smell petrol round the tank filler area. It's not too bad, so I've not looked into it, but figure it's just 'breathing' out the overflow pipe.
Never noticed or had this issue when I was riding it, just seems to of happened once I've left it sitting around the shed. (The Rocket 3 GT gets the attention nowadays) I wonder if the seal on the cap itself is drying out & not sealing as good as it would if it were getting fuel sloshed over it while riding?
Drain the tank & no more problem Stan. :onya: :clapping:
I'd lift the tank & check the low pressure hose that goes from the rear to the swirl pot, I've seen them perish so they split or weep fuel a few times.
A worse option is the metal pipe inside the tank for the vent pipe can rust through & let the tank drain via the drain tube.
Personally I doubt it would be the injector seals. When chasing my misfire issue last year, new injectors and seals went in. The old seals were still 100%. When the old injectors went back in, I used the new seals, but it would have been fine to reuse the old ones
Im with Hooli that it could be the lp line from the tank. Also check the hp line and clamps from the tank to the fuel rail.
An idea could be puff some talcum powder around the throttle bodies once the tank is lifted, then blow off with compressed air, the talc would stick to any wet fuel areas and you'd find your leak.
Eric, so you're saying dust it in flour & look for the damp spot? :whistling:
Thanks Guys - I'll check what you have indicated - I really hope it's that easy!!
Quote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 30 March 2026, 09:03 AMEric, so you're saying dust it in flour & look for the damp spot? :whistling:
yup, but I didn't want to put it as bluntly as that... :lol:
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Monday, 30 March 2026, 09:52 AMQuote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 30 March 2026, 09:03 AMEric, so you're saying dust it in flour & look for the damp spot? :whistling:
yup, but I didn't want to put it as bluntly as that... :lol:
Ya don't generally get the smell of petrol with that method though :happy1:
Quote from: Hooli on Monday, 30 March 2026, 05:15 AMI'd lift the tank & check the low pressure hose that goes from the rear to the swirl pot, I've seen them perish so they split or weep fuel a few times.
A worse option is the metal pipe inside the tank for the vent pipe can rust through & let the tank drain via the drain tube.
That was it Hooli - Spot on! Now to find the replacement LP hose - AND! the guy that designed those clips on the feed line to the rail should make another so I can shove it up his ass - what a f##kup design that is and it was a bugger to get off to remove the tank! :furious:
Std 6mm fuel hose will be fine, its all low pressure. I use a stainless worm drive clip at each end.
https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Ballards-90cm-Black-Fuel-line-6mm/15-400
Also a good time to fit a fuel filter in that line too.
https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Ballards-8mm-Disposable-Fuel-Filter/15-25-3501B
Quote from: Eric GSX1400K3 on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 10:03 AMStd 6mm fuel hose will be fine, its all low pressure. I use a stainless worm drive clip at each end.
https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Ballards-90cm-Black-Fuel-line-6mm/15-400
Also a good time to fit a fuel filter in that line too.
https://www.mxstore.com.au/p/Ballards-8mm-Disposable-Fuel-Filter/15-25-3501B
Thanks Eric - I found a replacement in Oz so just asked - I'll let you know and yes to fuel filter . Did you fit one? location?
Cheers
Stan
Hey Stan,
Yes, I fitted one. From the drain at the back of the tank (closest to the seat), in line about 50mm in, the flow is towards the fuel pot. You'll be surprised how much this little filter picks up. I have 2 spares, one under the seat, one on the shelf in the garage. I also have the external hp filter and did the in-tank hp filter bypass after this started blowing black gunk during a teabag and pump clean.
Sounds like it's time for everyone to replace low pressure hose if not already done. Thats a couple now in last few weeks.Pretty easy job.
Quote from: Globalrider on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 09:58 AMQuote from: Hooli on Monday, 30 March 2026, 05:15 AMI'd lift the tank & check the low pressure hose that goes from the rear to the swirl pot, I've seen them perish so they split or weep fuel a few times.
A worse option is the metal pipe inside the tank for the vent pipe can rust through & let the tank drain via the drain tube.
That was it Hooli - Spot on! Now to find the replacement LP hose - AND! the guy that designed those clips on the feed line to the rail should make another so I can shove it up his ass - what a f##kup design that is and it was a bugger to get off to remove the tank! :furious:
Take the tank off more, those clips undo fine if they've not been sat for years until the O-ring sticks to the metal. I once took 45 mins getting the take off a Kwak due to the same sort of clip that'd never been unclipped in 20 odd years.
I occasionally smear a tiny bit of red rubber grease on the metal pipe so lubes the O-ring when mine bikes are apart to stop it all sticking together.
Quote from: Hooli on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 05:31 PMQuote from: Globalrider on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 09:58 AMQuote from: Hooli on Monday, 30 March 2026, 05:15 AMI'd lift the tank & check the low pressure hose that goes from the rear to the swirl pot, I've seen them perish so they split or weep fuel a few times.
A worse option is the metal pipe inside the tank for the vent pipe can rust through & let the tank drain via the drain tube.
That was it Hooli - Spot on! Now to find the replacement LP hose - AND! the guy that designed those clips on the feed line to the rail should make another so I can shove it up his ass - what a f##kup design that is and it was a bugger to get off to remove the tank! :furious:
Take the tank off more, those clips undo fine if they've not been sat for years until the O-ring sticks to the metal. I once took 45 mins getting the take off a Kwak due to the same sort of clip that'd never been unclipped in 20 odd years.
I occasionally smear a tiny bit of red rubber grease on the metal pipe so lubes the O-ring when mine bikes are apart to stop it all sticking together.
Thanks again Hooli - I should have paid your airfare over here! Now just trying to find someping like an OEM replacement! Come to think of it you would want to be over here as the weather is really snotty and I don't have any bikes on the road! :facepalm:
Quote from: Globalrider on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:02 AMThanks again Hooli - I should have paid your airfare over here! Now just trying to find someping like an OEM replacement! Come to think of it you would want to be over here as the weather is really snotty and I don't have any bikes on the road! :facepalm:
Well Canada is the only thing over the pond I'd like to see one day, I've got no interest in the US. Probably won't happen though as flying is so boring & expensive. Plus I can't get a bike in the hand luggage.
Quote from: Hooli on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:07 PMQuote from: Globalrider on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:02 AMThanks again Hooli - I should have paid your airfare over here! Now just trying to find someping like an OEM replacement! Come to think of it you would want to be over here as the weather is really snotty and I don't have any bikes on the road! :facepalm:
Well Canada is the only thing over the pond I'd like to see one day, I've got no interest in the US. Probably won't happen though as flying is so boring & expensive. Plus I can't get a bike in the hand luggage.
Snotty weather. Sounds perfect for you and the snotbox Hooli.
Book a passage on a cargo boat and you can ride around the deck, on the way over. First man to ride a bike, across the Atlantic. :happy1: :happy1: :rofl2: :rofl2: :lol: