Split Gas Line Warning

[tom]

I went out to close the garage door and the smell was strong. There was my little Lifan 110 leaking gas. I mean a steady stream! I freaked and pulled it out into the driveway where I found the gas line leaking fuel at the petcock. I pulled the hose off the petcock and held it up high so the gas wouldn't flow. Then I got a sissors and cut the split end off and stuck it back on the petcock nipple. Fixed, but still suspect!

My Lifan was bought used with 53 miles showing. It is a 2006 model. It was not used much by the previous owner because of a manifold leak that I fixed. It now has 550 miles and I rode it to a friends house today.

I'm going to replace the gas line with better quality stuff. I'll probably get the black rubber with the woven fiber reinforcement. The stuff is tough and lasts a while.

Anyhow I thought I should bring this to the lists attention. The split in the hose started on its own with no notice. The leak was major and I caught it before the entire tank was on the floor (I just topped it up this morning). Since it happened in the garage a fire could have made for a very bad day. My garage is below my bedroom!

Lifan owners may want to clip the tip off the fuel hose and reinstall it over the nipple. Better yet, buy better fuel hose.

Tom

[TrailRyd3r]

Yes, the line that comes with these bikes are cheap and does not last long. I would change it out within the first 6 months.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by TrailRyd3r

Yes, the line that comes with these bikes are cheap and does not last long. I would change it out within the first 6 months.

You know, it's strange, . . . you'd think that fuel line is one place that you wouldn't want to go cheap. Of course, my anal nature drives me to turn off the fuel between rides, so instead of leaking in the garage it will drool gas down my pant leg when I'm out for a ride. Still no fun.

-kevin

[tom]

The split in the fuel line was where the hose entered the petcock. Any split between the tank and the petcock means the tank empties out even if the petcock is OFF. This is the only bike I have owned that doesn't have a petcock at the tank.

It's good practice to turn OFF the petcock every time the bike is parked because the float needle can leak and overflow the float bowl and fill the cylinder with gas.

Tom

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by tom

. . . . This is the only bike I have owned that doesn't have a petcock at the tank. . . .

Good point, . . . I was thinking bikes in general rather than just CTs. All the more reason not to skimp on gas line on a CT. A number of the little Honda ATCs and TRXs have the same petcock on the carb arrangement, but I can't think of any others that are that way.

Originally Posted by tom

. . . . It's good practice to turn OFF the petcock every time the bike is parked because the float needle can leak and overflow the float bowl and fill the cylinder with gas. . . .

So I'm not being anal, . . . it just seems that way.

-kevin

[XSIVE]

It's good practice to turn OFF the petcock every time the bike is parked because the float needle can leak and overflow the float bowl and fill the cylinder with gas.

So I'm not being anal, . . . it just seems that way.

I am in the habit of doing this as well. On my 1980 XS1100 Special, I kept forgetting this and before I re-did the carbs, gas would leak past the needle/seat, fill the bowl, spill into the cylinder and would make its way to the oil pan. Oil would smell like Gas. After multiple oil changes every week, I am in this Anal habbit now too.