Yesterday the wife and I rode about 100 miles or so. She filled her tank just prior to returning home, maybe 2 miles from the gas station. This morning she cranks up the bike and it starts just fine. But the 'check engine' light comes on on the tach and the display momentarily read 'check engine' then alternated between the trip odometer and the check engine symbol. I had her drive down the block and it kept stalling. So in the garage it went. Later today a friend said that it may be 'vapor lock' and to take off the gas cap to let it breath. When we got home about 4 hours later, we did just that and all is okay. So is it 'vapor lock' or improper fueling or what could it be so we can avoid it in the future?
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Vapor Lock?
- Thread starter FiFi
- Start date
Magdave
New member
Very doubtful that doesn't usually happen on this type of fuel system that was many years ago. It was probably something else and unless you tell us what you are driving we can't help much.
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Magdave
New member
And when was the last service done also what issue have you had previously if any? Off the top of my head it sounds like a battery issue. They connectors can get loose and/or battery gets low charge. Are you using a tender to keep it charged?
Magdave
New member
Also possible but with the vented system we have once the purge opens it should equalize the pressure in the tank. I wonder about the way they fill it and possible canister contamination. As a last resort it could be taken to the dealer to pull the code to verify. 2013 have the new gas tank cap too.
I think last service was the 600 mile service. Can't imagine a loose battery. Not using a tender. It's ridden weekly. No other problems. Had the brake cylinder heat shield recall done right after purchase in August. Filling is always a pain as the wife has to not put the pump too far into the fill opening or it keeps kicking off.
Magdave
New member
Hmmm ...the pump should be about 1" into the tank fill slowly (1/2 squeeze) and as soon as you see the first little splash at the 2 little vents above the hole you are done. Over filling can cause issues with the EVAP system. Also never fill before coming home. If you need some gas put a little in to get home but save the fill up for the start of a ride if possible. A lot of people don't think the battery cable can be loose but it only takes a few minutes to check. Have you been checking you oil level every 300mi.? You would be surprised at the parasitic drain the RT's have and in a couple of weeks the battery can go low without a tender. Not so much with a RS.
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Yes, just found out today about the don't fill before you get home. Never thought it would matter, but it obviously does. Oil is checked. Battery seemed fine as it started with no problem. But I realized that tail/break lights etc are still active even when the bike is off as well as radio etc drain. Thanks for all the great advice. We'll monitor it for a while and see if it happens again.
Magdave
New member
As I said you could take it to the dealer and see if they will pull the stored code for you (hopefully for free).
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Sorry, too many possibilities to chase further without the failure codes. That being said, a vehicle that acts up shortly after filling it with gas usually suffers form one of two things...bad fuel or overfilling. To address bad fuel, put in some good fuel stabilizer/dryer like marine Stabil or Seafoam, then run out as much of the fuel as you can and refill from a known good source...preferably a brand name. It may take a couple of fresh tanks to cure things completely. To prevent overfilling (which can flow gas to the emissions canister and intermittently block tank venting) insert the nozzle barely into the neck's baffle, fill by hand slowly until the fuel just begins to spurt from the vent slots, and top off no more than once or twice.
Bob Denman
New member
If your bike starts acting up again; here's the procedure for pulling any active codes...
1. Turn ignition key to ON.
2. Wait for the multifunction gauge to complete its
self test function.
3. Simultaneously press the following three buttons
on the LH multifunction switch assembly.
- MODE
- SET
- Turn signal button.
Note the codes, and jot them down.... another push of the MODE button gets you back to the normal screen...
Good Luck! :thumbup:
1. Turn ignition key to ON.
2. Wait for the multifunction gauge to complete its
self test function.
3. Simultaneously press the following three buttons
on the LH multifunction switch assembly.
- MODE
- SET
- Turn signal button.
Note the codes, and jot them down.... another push of the MODE button gets you back to the normal screen...
Good Luck! :thumbup:
Magdave
New member
:banghead: It used to be a common issue but not on a 2013. This is the first report I have seen on a 13 TB needing replaced...not good.
Spyder_Cowgirl
GOS member (Girls On Spyders)
Why No Fill?
Ummm .... a small hijack ... why not fill before heading home? I have always heard that leaving a machine, any machine, sit for days (or weeks, or months) with a less than full tank was not good as it can cause condensation and "ruin" both the tank and the gas in it. Typically, we do fill up before heading home and have about 4 miles to before arriving. The amount of time the bikes sit (Spyder and Harley) depends on weather, PGR missions, and our mood.
Soo .... why not fill before heading home?
Thanks .... Ann
Ummm .... a small hijack ... why not fill before heading home? I have always heard that leaving a machine, any machine, sit for days (or weeks, or months) with a less than full tank was not good as it can cause condensation and "ruin" both the tank and the gas in it. Typically, we do fill up before heading home and have about 4 miles to before arriving. The amount of time the bikes sit (Spyder and Harley) depends on weather, PGR missions, and our mood.
Soo .... why not fill before heading home?
Thanks .... Ann
Magdave
New member
Too many people over fill it and cause fuel to get into the EVAP system. I have found that filling before going home can cause fuel drips from it and I am careful to NOT overfill. Never had the fuel smell unfilled. I believe, especially with the 2013, it has to do with the tank boiling. Condensation is very rare and very little. If you are worried about it add Stabil if parking for a long time go ahead and fill it. If you ride regularly My personal experience is not to fill completely before going home unless it is a good distance to give the tank some head room. Gas ,like water, expands when it gets hot.
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Magdave
New member
And I will say again it used to be they supposedly fixed it. This is not a good sign for the 2013's
Bob Denman
New member
Glad to hear that you'll be "Back on Three" in no time! :2thumbs:
It WAS a common problem; on the earlier bikes... :shocked:
It WAS a common problem; on the earlier bikes... :shocked:
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