- Joined
- Mar 18, 2006
- Messages
- 3,179
- Location
- Ilkley, W Yorkshire, UK
- Bike
- 2013 ST1300 A9
- 2025 Miles
- 002293
It has been a long winter and spring lay off - during which time I have had the fuel tank off, synchronised the starter valves, checked the 5 way tee and reassembled. New fuel joining hose and clamps.
I have had a few short rides since then and everything has felt fine - no - everything has felt brilliant. The engine purring beautifully and smoother than it has ever felt, even when new. But it has been sitting with the same fuel in the tank for some while. A few weeks ago I added some injector cleaner fluid and ran if until the fans came on. I had no stabiliser, and shops that sell that stuff are not open at present.
Today is hot by UK standards, and we went out for a legitimate run out to have a picnic, not to meet anyone, but to enjoy the scenery and fresh air. As lockdown is released we are allowed that now. Although there were large groups of bikers out - which is not allowed (We can meet up with just one person) Before we headed back home I filled up with fuel. To the bottom of the filler neck. It felt even better on the way back, fresh fuel and all - but that might have been just imagination.
Back at home, I put the bike in the garage, got my gear off and then went out to empty the panniers. The fuel tank sounds as though it has got indigestion, bubbling and gurgling at intervals. A couple of seconds at a time, every 20 - 30 seconds. I opened the fuel filler cap and with a flash light, I could see the disturbance at the side of the tank. The tank was still very full - up to the bar that goes across the filler neck. I was standing on the left of the bike and with a light, could see what I assumed to be bubbles / burps breaking the surface of the fuel on the right hand side of the tank. Bike is on its centre stand.
So air getting into the fuel, must mean fuel getting out - or air is expanding. But I can see no sign of escaping fluid. The lower/upper fuel joint is OK. There are no leaks around any of the lower tank joints.
One of the drain tubes which emerge at the rear of the sump, near the gear pedal is damp with fuel (not wet through, and not dripping), and I can see the air disturbed by vapours - so the tank is venting through that hose.
I've heard the engine and tank make odd noises, but never this tummy rumble type noise - but then - after about 120,000 miles and 13 years of ownership of 2 ST1300s I cannot say that I go into the garage after I have put it away hot. So its entirely possible that this is what it does, and I have just never heard it before. The air temperature gauge says 31 deg C - but it has been sitting in its own heat in a closed garage. Its not that hot outside - maybe 20-25.
Question is - do I need to go delving, or is this normal ? The noise is getting less and less as the engine cools down, and it is definitely coming from the tank and coincides when the bubbles can be seen through the filler cap.
edit - 20 minutes later, it has stopped doing it - but the question still remain as to whether or not this is normal.
I have had a few short rides since then and everything has felt fine - no - everything has felt brilliant. The engine purring beautifully and smoother than it has ever felt, even when new. But it has been sitting with the same fuel in the tank for some while. A few weeks ago I added some injector cleaner fluid and ran if until the fans came on. I had no stabiliser, and shops that sell that stuff are not open at present.
Today is hot by UK standards, and we went out for a legitimate run out to have a picnic, not to meet anyone, but to enjoy the scenery and fresh air. As lockdown is released we are allowed that now. Although there were large groups of bikers out - which is not allowed (We can meet up with just one person) Before we headed back home I filled up with fuel. To the bottom of the filler neck. It felt even better on the way back, fresh fuel and all - but that might have been just imagination.
Back at home, I put the bike in the garage, got my gear off and then went out to empty the panniers. The fuel tank sounds as though it has got indigestion, bubbling and gurgling at intervals. A couple of seconds at a time, every 20 - 30 seconds. I opened the fuel filler cap and with a flash light, I could see the disturbance at the side of the tank. The tank was still very full - up to the bar that goes across the filler neck. I was standing on the left of the bike and with a light, could see what I assumed to be bubbles / burps breaking the surface of the fuel on the right hand side of the tank. Bike is on its centre stand.
So air getting into the fuel, must mean fuel getting out - or air is expanding. But I can see no sign of escaping fluid. The lower/upper fuel joint is OK. There are no leaks around any of the lower tank joints.
One of the drain tubes which emerge at the rear of the sump, near the gear pedal is damp with fuel (not wet through, and not dripping), and I can see the air disturbed by vapours - so the tank is venting through that hose.
I've heard the engine and tank make odd noises, but never this tummy rumble type noise - but then - after about 120,000 miles and 13 years of ownership of 2 ST1300s I cannot say that I go into the garage after I have put it away hot. So its entirely possible that this is what it does, and I have just never heard it before. The air temperature gauge says 31 deg C - but it has been sitting in its own heat in a closed garage. Its not that hot outside - maybe 20-25.
Question is - do I need to go delving, or is this normal ? The noise is getting less and less as the engine cools down, and it is definitely coming from the tank and coincides when the bubbles can be seen through the filler cap.
edit - 20 minutes later, it has stopped doing it - but the question still remain as to whether or not this is normal.
Last edited:
