Spyder fires

[Elembytes]

Gas situation

When we first bought ours in June last year, I overfilled the tank on my first fill up. for about 3 weeks after, I smelled strong gas fumes after riding. Then, they just went away. it's been over a year, and we've put almost 14,000 miles on it, and the smell hasn't come back.

I'd be curious to look at 2 machines side by side - one with the smell, and one without to see if there is anything obvious.

At the time my gas tank was 1/2 full when I smelled those fumes with it parked in my garage vs. the barn and after moving it from barn to the garage while on vacation.

I fill the spyder very very slowly and once it clicks I do not go any further. So I don't get it.

 

[Elembytes]

Why not do what the do on boats for fire extinguishers

On boats now with inboard engines, the have a fire extinguisher "PORT" when a fire starts you put the nozzle of the extinguisher into the port and fire the extinguisher and supposedly the fire will be put out and you do not need to worry about opening the engine cover to get to the fire.

Could they simply do something like this and put the ports near where the fires have been originating as a "In-case" thing? Just a thought! :sour:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

On boats now with inboard engines, the have a fire extinguisher "PORT" when a fire starts you put the nozzle of the extinguisher into the port and fire the extinguisher and supposedly the fire will be put out and you do not need to worry about opening the engine cover to get to the fire.

Could they simply do something like this and put the ports near where the fires have been originating as a "In-case" thing? Just a thought! :sour:

Isn't it a requirement that boats must carry fire extinguishers? Since that requirement is already in place I could see where a manufacturer would want to do something to make using the extinguisher more productive. That could then be seen as a selling point on their boat rather than giving the impression that the manufacturer knows that their boat may burn up. I just don't see anything like that happening on Spyders or any vehicles for that matter and I don't really think that the cost would be justified.

 

[finless]

Plus if BRP put a fire port in the Tupperware, they would be admitting to a problem and thus a need for it.
I don't see that happening.

However I could see someone making a new product (farkle) by having a nice chrome etc port add on

Bob

 

[Ex-Rocket]

:agree: Not much you can do when the fire's under the tupperware.

Now come on folks. All this talk about having a fire extinguisher being place on our :spyder2:'s is just wrong. We shouldn't have to worry about our :spyder2:'s catching fire. BRP needs to step up to the plate and admit there is a problem and get it solved ASAP. The next fire may cost someone their lives. If mine ever catches fire, heaven forbid, I say let her burn, thats why we have insurance on our bikes. BRP needs to fix the problem pronto.

 

[SpydeRider2010]

PACKING the gas in at a fill up, does nothing
more than fill the evap-canister. the same as
it does in cars/trucks. so... when the nozzel
shuts off. STOP!!!

if you pack more fuel in... it will smell for a
while. if you don't pack it in... you simply get
to have a stretch break sooner. stink or stretch...
what's your preferrence?

 

[Dan McNally]

PACKING the gas in at a fill up, does nothing
more than fill the evap-canister. the same as
it does in cars/trucks. so... when the nozzel
shuts off. STOP!!!

if you pack more fuel in... it will smell for a
while. if you don't pack it in... you simply get
to have a stretch break sooner. stink or stretch...
what's your preferrence?

I've never "packed more fuel in" . . . I've ridden two wheelers and I fill my Spyder the same way . . . I watch the level and stop when it is "near" the top, not sloshing out around the nozzle. But, from day one, I have had a very strong gas smell when I park in the garage when it is hot. That is why I stop outside and let it cool, now . . . but those gas fumes are coming from somewhere. I assumed it was normal because I'd seen so many posts about it, so I didn't bring it up at my 600 mile. I have to make an appointment for the 2013-6 service bulletin (finally heard back from the dealer after another email) and I plan to discuss the gas smell at that time. BRP wrapped the gas tank in Tupperware, rather than mounting it on top, like a two wheeler . . . that ensures it gets hotter than other motorcycles, so I don't understand why they didn't insulate it well. If BRP is reading these posts, I'd gladly pay more for a Spyder if the tank was insulated and the pipes wrapped or ceramic coated, to minimize heat buildup in the Tupperware. I am reluctant to do anything like that on my own in fear that they might claim I voided the warranty for something.

 

[Illinois Boy]

Anyone have a suggestion on where to mount a fire Extinguisher? Just saying!

Near the fire...:roflblack: Sorry... couldn't resist.pps:

 

[AZCowboy]

Gas fumes

I've never "packed more fuel in" . . . I've ridden two wheelers and I fill my Spyder the same way . . . I watch the level and stop when it is "near" the top, not sloshing out around the nozzle. But, from day one, I have had a very strong gas smell when I park in the garage when it is hot. That is why I stop outside and let it cool, now . . . but those gas fumes are coming from somewhere. I assumed it was normal because I'd seen so many posts about it, so I didn't bring it up at my 600 mile. I have to make an appointment for the 2013-6 service bulletin (finally heard back from the dealer after another email) and I plan to discuss the gas smell at that time. BRP wrapped the gas tank in Tupperware, rather than mounting it on top, like a two wheeler . . . that ensures it gets hotter than other motorcycles, so I don't understand why they didn't insulate it well. If BRP is reading these posts, I'd gladly pay more for a Spyder if the tank was insulated and the pipes wrapped or ceramic coated, to minimize heat buildup in the Tupperware. I am reluctant to do anything like that on my own in fear that they might claim I voided the warranty for something.

It isn't just the 2013's but older models as well. I have a 2012 RT ltd and this past Sunday after one ride I pulled up to my friends waiting to go on another and they smell a strong gas smell from the right side. I had not even had a chance to shut it off. It was a raw gas smell enough to start a fire. I UNDERSTAND BRP KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT ISN'T JUST THE 2013. THEY TOLD A CUSTOMER WHO HAS THAT PROBLEM TO SHUT IF OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR 5 MINS THEN PUSH IT IN THE GARAGE. WELL WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU STOP AT A LIGHT, ETC AND IT CATCHES FIRE???

 

[Daisyjoe]

I don't have boiling gas, just a hot a--:yikes: Have an appointment at 9 AM tomorrow. Rode for about 4 hours Sunday. The seat was so hot I had to put a tee shirt over the seat and glove compartment. Also went into limp mode (Engine overheat) Before the tee shirt.

 

[NancysToy]

It isn't just the 2013's but older models as well. I have a 2012 RT ltd and this past Sunday after one ride I pulled up to my friends waiting to go on another and they smell a strong gas smell from the right side. I had not even had a chance to shut it off. It was a raw gas smell enough to start a fire. I UNDERSTAND BRP KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT ISN'T JUST THE 2013. THEY TOLD A CUSTOMER WHO HAS THAT PROBLEM TO SHUT IF OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR 5 MINS THEN PUSH IT IN THE GARAGE. WELL WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU STOP AT A LIGHT, ETC AND IT CATCHES FIRE???

The threshold of odor for gasoline is much much lower than the concentration needed to support combustion. The odor threshold is variable, depending on the blend and additives, but ranges from 0.1ppm to 0.7 ppm (0.00001% to 0.00007%). The odor is recognizable at about 0.2 ppm to 1.1 ppm (0.00002% to 0.00011%). The flammability range is much higher, with a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of 1.4% and an Upper Explosive Limit of 7.4%-7.6%. Just because you can smell it doesn't mean it can start a fire.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The threshold of odor for gasoline is much much lower than the concentration needed to support combustion. The odor threshold is variable, depending on the blend and additives, but ranges from 0.1ppm to 0.7 ppm (0.00001% to 0.00007%). The odor is recognizable at about 0.2 ppm to 1.1 ppm (0.00002% to 0.00011%). The flammability range is much higher, with a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of 1.4% and an Upper Explosive Limit of 7.4%-7.6%. Just because you can smell it doesn't mean it can start a fire.

the depth of your knowledge is amazing

 

[Dan McNally]

The threshold of odor for gasoline is much much lower than the concentration needed to support combustion. The odor threshold is variable, depending on the blend and additives, but ranges from 0.1ppm to 0.7 ppm (0.00001% to 0.00007%). The odor is recognizable at about 0.2 ppm to 1.1 ppm (0.00002% to 0.00011%). The flammability range is much higher, with a Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of 1.4% and an Upper Explosive Limit of 7.4%-7.6%. Just because you can smell it doesn't mean it can start a fire.

. . . and it doesn't mean it can't, either. SpyderAnn01's Spyder didn't burn because the gas tank was empty . . .

 

[NancysToy]

. . . and it doesn't mean it can't, either. SpyderAnn01's Spyder didn't burn because the gas tank was empty . . .

I didn't say it couldn't, I merely responded to the post that indicated that theere was enough smell of gas to start a fire. That is no measure. While we are on the subject, it has not been shown that gasoline was even involved in Ann's fire. Although that is very possible, there are lots of flammable materials in that area and lots of ignition sources...and pure gasoline fires don't smoke much. We should not jump to conclusions or panic here, folks!

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I doubt that a fire extinguisher would have done me any good. The fire started under the tupperware so I don't know how I could have gotten to the source.

It should be mounted under the tupperware.

My Pa had a motorhome model that had a problem with fires starting in the engine compartment, which was under the bed in the rear. He mounted a fire extinguisher in the engine compartment with a release by the entry door at the front (mid-ships behind the passenger seat). So if a fire started, they could exit the RV and pull the fire extinguisher release on the way out.