Gasoline smell from freewheeler

[thomastrike]

Yesterday when I got home from a short 35 mi ride I parked in the garage as usual in the evening, and the next morning strong smell of gas in the garage. It had sat for 7-8 days before I rode. Only had 60 mi left on gas gauge when I got back home. It had gone up to 70mph but not for extended period. Any ideas?

[rhino 2]

Apples to Oranges But with my Tri-Glide when I'm down to 35 miles i'll sometimes get a slight gas odor been that way since 2011...And believe it or not' Sometimes its the brand of gas, We have a off brand of gas a few miles from here and when my wife fills up there [50c a gal less] I will notice the odor when she parks in the garage...I don't notice it with Exxon.

[thomastrike]

Apples to Oranges But with my Tri-Glide when I'm down to 35 miles i'll sometimes get a slight gas odor been that way since 2011...And believe it or not' Sometimes its the brand of gas, We have a off brand of gas a few miles from here and when my wife fills up there [50c a gal less] I will notice the odor when she parks in the garage...I don't notice it with Exxon.

Funny you should mention brands of gas. The free was running just fine today, about 30 mi... I can understand the 50c difference. I try to use high octane with no ethanol , when I get the opportunity. Thanks for the input.

[Gone2Three]

Yesterday when I got home from a short 35 mi ride I parked in the garage as usual in the evening, and the next morning strong smell of gas in the garage. It had sat for 7-8 days before I rode. Only had 60 mi left on gas gauge when I got back home. It had gone up to 70mph but not for extended period. Any ideas?

Funny you should mention this...my 15 Freewheeler when parked after running any length of time will emit a gas odor. I was guessing from the heat of the motor directly under the tank. If you put your hand on the lower part it's very warm. Figured it was the ventilation from the gas cap. My son would always say when entering the house from the garage...Dad you rode your bike I can smell it

[thomastrike]

Funny you should mention this...my 15 Freewheeler when parked after running any length of time will emit a gas odor. I was guessing from the heat of the motor directly under the tank. If you put your hand on the lower part it's very warm. Figured it was the ventilation from the gas cap. My son would always say when entering the house from the garage...Dad you rode your bike I can smell it

Thanks for mentioning the part about the hand under the tank. When I think back, I did happen to slip my hand under the tank looking for a liquid type feeling. It had been sitting for a few minutes and it was warm. Thanks to the both of you for your input. Going to IMS in Dallas Saturday.

[Gold Rush]

IMS should be fun.. I haven't been in years. My son and I have gone a few times over the years but timing just hasn't been there the last few. I always enjoy drooling.....

[thomastrike]

IMS should be fun.. I haven't been in years. My son and I have gone a few times over the years but timing just hasn't been there the last few. I always enjoy drooling.....

Yes, I am pretty sure it will be a guys only affair around here. I just tell her that if I need parts etc that they are usually discounted at the show. Seems to work ok.

[Gone2Three]

Yes, I am pretty sure it will be a guys only affair around here. I just tell her that if I need parts etc that they are usually discounted at the show. Seems to work ok.

Take pictures for us guy's that have to work all weekend enjoy the show

[Jack Klarich]

EPA At it again, be thankful u do not have a charcoal canister mandated by Ca law

[Jack Klarich]

pinched return line

[uncledoc]

Thanks for the post . . . I was concerned as well about the gas smell. New FW owner.

[rhino 2]

You have to understand the gas tank is just over the hot engine, So some gas smell will happen, Especially if the gas in the tank is low..[Vapors] Un-like cars where the tank is in the back away from the hot engine...Some CanAm Spyder's were notorious 'for that [I had one]..And the 2013 were a fire hazard...

[gardenho]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and new to the trike, just got it and first day out while riding I could smell gas. Just before i parked it i noticed it had spit and splatted gas from under the cap onto the tank. It was not over full, and it was not hot out it was about 18 celcius. It was also hissing for a long time after parking. Took it out a couple days later and it did the same thing. We took the seat off and hunted high and low for a vent tube and never did find one. Anyone know where it might be? We also loosened the tank to lift it a bit and look under but still didn't find it.

Last night had a look at the cap and compared it to the cap on my husband's Softail and found the seal that is supposed to be at the base of the cap seems too big on the FW cap it's sloppy and I can easily slide it up and down, it's tight and stays put on the other one. I'm wondering if the FW doesn't have a vent tube and has a defective vented cap instead? Forgive me if that is silly thinking, I just don't know any better but I am eager to learn and learning a ton lurking on the forums!

[Gorilla]

they had some problems with some of the gas caps. Take it in and have them change out the gas cap.

[52edub]

Vent tube is at the base of the tank under the seat.

[gardenho]

Thanks I'll take that seat off again today and have a look, and I'll be sure to bring up the cap at the dealer.

[moonstar]

i have a 2016 FW. Bought it a couple of months ago with 2200 miles on it. It now has over 6200 miles. The last couple of times I have parked it in the garage I have noticed a very strong gas odor coming from it (even had to open the garage doors because the odor was so strong we could smell it in the house). Had zero issues with this until the last two trips. I did not overfill the tank, did not splash on the tank and there was no gas dripping or leaking anywhere. On one of the occasions the tank had 45 miles to empty and now today when I noticed the smell there are 140 miles to empty. I don't want to have to leave the garage door open for several hours after we return from riding. I am concerned because there was NOT a gas smell after riding it until very recently. Any ideas?

[firebikerd]

You have to understand the gas tank is just over the hot engine, So some gas smell will happen, Especially if the gas in the tank is low..[Vapors] Un-like cars where the tank is in the back away from the hot engine...Some CanAm Spyder's were notorious 'for that [I had one]..And the 2013 were a fire hazard...

Our Freewheelers run hot! Mine is a 2015 and has the DK 2" tank lift before the tank lift sometimes I would hear a hissing sound coming from the gas cap. If you open the gas cap it relieves the pressure. I'm in AZ it was hot out! The bottom of tank was very warm!

With the 2" tank lift the top of the engine is exposed and looks better and easier to shine up! The lift also allows more cooling air to flow over the heads!

I have recently installed the Love Jugs mighty mights and with the summer heat here and fans on running; and off with ignition switch I have not noticed any of this hissing from the gas cap. My cat is still in header! It gets Hot like 497deg when shut down!

I am not affiliated with DK in anyway but I have installed every thing but an additional oil cooler that they recommend! Check them out they have a lot of good info on cooling the Freewheeler! They are sponsors on this site; very helpful and good products!

Dave

[Papa Zook]

I have recently installed the Love Jugs mighty mights and with the summer heat here and fans on running; and off with ignition switch I have not noticed any of this hissing from the gas cap. My cat is still in header! It gets Hot like 497deg when shut down!

Dave

Glad to see the Love Jugs eliminated the heat and stopped the hissing and gas smell Dave.

The fans direct a steady and massive amount of air directly onto the source of the heat which is the ignition area, the spark plugs and the cooling fins, both on the front cylinder and the real hot spot, the rear cylinder.

The Mighty Mites spin at 13,000 RPMs and as Kevin's test reports show, they drop the cylinder temps buy 72 degrees. Some folks, Kevin included, wire their fans to stay on after the bike is turned off so the fans can run a few minutes to further cool the engine down, eliminating the heat and pressure build up.

[firebikerd]

Papa Zook

The Mighty Mites work! I generally switch to Acc. when shutting down; for a few mins. It's been in high 90's and that rear cylinder shut down is active now; but has not happened yet! Leaving for Sturgis in AM and will see how it does on the trip! The town of Sturgis can be very slow going! Denver too!

Have a good day!

Dave