Fuel Smell

[TravelingSpyder]

We were on the Natchez Trace at the completion of our 4500 mile trip from GA to SD and back. It was a very hot day and the smell of fuel was overwhelming, not just when stopped, but all the time.

Long story, short, we took it to the dealer in Hattiesburg to make sure it was safe to drive. They checked everything over. The problem was that the carbon filter "box" at the end of the fuel vent had fuel in it. There was no way to clean it out; it had to be replaced. They didn't have one in stock, so we are getting it replaced here in Brunswick.

I can tell you, it was miserable to ride, especially when it got hot. We ended the trip by getting up at 4 am and getting off the road by noon.

Best prevention: not overfilling fuel tank, especially on hot days and fixing a poor design.

Side note: the dealer in Hattiesburg was excellent, friendly and worked us in to their already busy day.

 

[Dragonrider]

BMW has this problem too - we usually remove the problem by performing a canisterectomy - not sure if we can handle the Spyder the same way.

One of the results of fuel in the canister on a BMW is that the gas tank will collapse.... I suppose that's better than a fire??

 

[TravelingSpyder]

Yes, we also had this on our BMW 1200 GS and removed the canister. However, we never had the problem with the strong fuel odor. I think that the Spyder is just so HOT, it made the smell obvious. I couldn't believe how much heat was generated. When the air temperature was over 95 degrees and the engine produced so much heat, it was just a HOT bike to ride! Are there any modifications/extra fans that can help with the heat generated by the bike?

 

[NancysToy]

Yes, we also had this on our BMW 1200 GS and removed the canister. However, we never had the problem with the strong fuel odor. I think that the Spyder is just so HOT, it made the smell obvious. I couldn't believe how much heat was generated. When the air temperature was over 95 degrees and the engine produced so much heat, it was just a HOT bike to ride! Are there any modifications/extra fans that can help with the heat generated by the bike?

Remove the rear splash pans.
-Scotty

 

[TravelingSpyder]

I have the corbin side bags. Are the rear splash pans still on the bike?

 

[NancysToy]

I have the corbin side bags. Are the rear splash pans still on the bike?

Underneath the Spyder. The one(s) you remove to change the oil. Not sure of the real name. See Lamonster's post about them.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

I have the corbin side bags. Are the rear splash pans still on the bike?

Underneath the Spyder. The one(s) you remove to change the oil. Not sure of the real name. See Lamonster's post about them.
-Scotty

Rear splash pans might be a misleading description of these parts. They are the pieces basically right below and to the left and right of the engine. (More like mid splash pans.)

 

[NancysToy]

Rear splash pans might be a misleading description of these parts. They are the pieces basically right below and to the left and right of the engine. (More like mid splash pans.)

:agree: They are just not the front one(s). Sorry if I confused anyone.
-Scotty

 

[chris56]

there are so many proffessionals here (thanks..) but what i don`t understand..
if i would have a fuel-smell on my spyder (or my bmw or my cars) ...
i would absolut stop in the same moment and have a look for that..
if they cannot find anything by the service - i would leave it there !!
never had a bike with such a hot engine (all behind plastik..)
so if you stop - no air (and also not the fan) brings the dangerous gas/fuel-mix away - best moment for ... somethings start burning..
so if more spyders have that (not mine) - lamont or scotty ?? Start CRYING !!
:gaah::gaah::gaah:

 

[porboy]

Gas Smell

2008 Spyder /5 speed. I have the same smell. As long as I'm moving no problem. But stop at a light or in traffic the smell almost make me sick. It doesn't matter whether my tank is full or not. I always stop filling when the pump clicks. Stopped by the dealer told them of the problem and also said I had read several post reference the same problem. There response was.... well! what did they say to fix it.:shocked: I replied they said to ask you. Not impressed with the dealer in Denver so far.:cus: I have an appointment tomorrow, will let everyone know the outcome.

 

[NancysToy]

2008 Spyder /5 speed. I have the same smell. As long as I'm moving no problem. But stop at a light or in traffic the smell almost make me sick. It doesn't matter whether my tank is full or not. I always stop filling when the pump clicks. Stopped by the dealer told them of the problem and also said I had read several post reference the same problem. There response was.... well! what did they say to fix it.:shocked: I replied they said to ask you. Not impressed with the dealer in Denver so far.:cus: I have an appointment tomorrow, will let everyone know the outcome.

BRP's official response to me, via a warranty claim was, "Don't overfill the fuel tank." When I replied that I was sure that had not happened, they said "Then don't park it in the sun with a full tank." Obviously they do not have a solution.
-Scotty

 

[chris56]

BRP's official response to me, via a warranty claim was, "Don't overfill the fuel tank." When I replied that I was sure that had not happened, they said "Then don't park it in the sun with a full tank." Obviously they do not have a solution.

SCOTTY ? :dontknow:

don`t park it in the sun ?? is that a joke (try to sell that in italy)
I always fill it absolut full when i´m on tour .. i hate my petrol meter .it sends me to the next petrolstation when the tank is halve-full ..
i like the smell of the sea / the wood and the mountains..
not dangerious fuel
(lets see how fast they find a solution when they see the pics of the fired-ones
chris

 

[Shawn839]

gas smell fix

I had the gas smell every time I stopped. I call the dealer and they did not know any thing. The gas e-vap canister is on the right side of the engine. The discharge line that releases the gas vapor is very short and is right below the front right cowling. When the fans kick on it blows right up in your face. What I did to fix it was, extend the discharge hose to the back of the bike and zipped tied it in place. And know now more gas smell.

We were on the Natchez Trace at the completion of our 4500 mile trip from GA to SD and back. It was a very hot day and the smell of fuel was overwhelming, not just when stopped, but all the time.

Long story, short, we took it to the dealer in Hattiesburg to make sure it was safe to drive. They checked everything over. The problem was that the carbon filter "box" at the end of the fuel vent had fuel in it. There was no way to clean it out; it had to be replaced. They didn't have one in stock, so we are getting it replaced here in Brunswick.

I can tell you, it was miserable to ride, especially when it got hot. We ended the trip by getting up at 4 am and getting off the road by noon.

Best prevention: not overfilling fuel tank, especially on hot days and fixing a poor design.

Side note: the dealer in Hattiesburg was excellent, friendly and worked us in to their already busy day.

 

[ataDude]

I had the gas smell every time I stopped. I call the dealer and they did not know any thing. The gas e-vap canister is on the right side of the engine. The discharge line that releases the gas vapor is very short and is right below the front right cowling. When the fans kick on it blows right up in your face. What I did to fix it was, extend the discharge hose to the back of the bike and zipped tied it in place. And know now more gas smell.

welcome

 

[Brevet05]

I had the gas smell every time I stopped. I call the dealer and they did not know any thing. The gas e-vap canister is on the right side of the engine. The discharge line that releases the gas vapor is very short and is right below the front right cowling. When the fans kick on it blows right up in your face. What I did to fix it was, extend the discharge hose to the back of the bike and zipped tied it in place. And now no more gas smell.

Elegant solution! Thanks for the tip and welcome

 

[Tom in NM]

My two cents . . .

. . . . I had a problem with the fuel smell also. I know what you mean - it is not just the smell of gasoline, it is an overpowering cloud of vapor that will cause dizziness and gagging. I worked at a gasoline refinery for about 10 years and never experienced vapor concentrations as bad as this. My dealer said it was natural, some sort of anti-pollution device burning off excess gasoline. ??huh?? And I should just get used to it. I have been riding cycles since the mid-60s and had never smelled anything like this. I am not sure what kind of anti-pollution device would be designed to spray heavy gasoline fumes into the air - I thought that is what they were supposed to prevent.

Then things got better. After my 600 mile inspection, I only had sporadic episodes of gas vapor and they were nowhere near as bad.

Then, about 3 weeks ago, around 3,000 miles, they stopped. No gas smells.
At the same time ( I am not sure if there is a connection, but I feel there is ), when I would fill up ( fuel light on and 1 bar showing ) instead of the 3.5 gallons or less it had normally taken, it now takes somewhere between 4.5 and 5 gallons. The top fuel indicator ( the little triangle ) darkens - it never had before. I am not fueling any different than before and I do not top-off the tank. Though I have noticed my M/P/G has dropped by about 4 or 5 ( I was at 36 and now average around 32 )

Some other conditions that may have an effect; I live and generally ride at 5,000 to 6,000 feet, the temperatures range from 55 to 117 ( the worst episodes happened this spring in 80 - 90 degree weather no matter how full the tank was, but have now stopped even at the highest temperatures with a full tank ).

One other note: wearing a full face helmet was a bad idea - the fumes seemed to get trapped in it, though other drivers at stoplights could smell the gas.

So, I feel there WAS something wrong with/in the fuel system, but whatever it was, it is now working properly - except for the mileage thing. I am also going to do the mod that Shawn839 did with the fuel discharge hose - a great idea - just in case.

Lots of contradictory and counter-intuitive experience, make of it what you can.

Tom

 

[Tom in NM]

an update . . . .

. . . My fuel light came on - showed one bar, so I stopped for gas.
Swipe card, start fueling, watch the gallons pour in . . . 1 . . 2 . . 3 . . 4 . . ( OK, it will click off now ) . . 4.5 ( OK, now! ) . . . . 5 . . . . 5.1 ? ? ? 5.2 ? ? ? then the gas started gushing out - over the Spyder, over me, all over the ground. I grabbed the pump and turned it off.

I should have paid more attention, there was sand down at that pump - this had obviously happened earlier to somebody else. After I walked in the store reeking of gas, they rushed out and tagged and bagged the pump so nobody else would use it until repaired.

I pushed the Spyder out of the puddle of gas before starting it up. As I aired out the Spyder, my pants and right mesh boot, I thought, "Actually, this is not as bad as the Spyder's gas fume problem that I used to have.

Tom