CSC Aux. Fuel Tank Leak

[carbco]

Well thought I'd install an aux. fuel tank during the winter (non riding Months) I bought the CSC aux fuel tank for a measly $600 for a plastic molded tank with two fuel lines and grommets. First they sent me the wrong mounting bracket then after about 10 days they replaced it with the correct one. Well after two weeks of tearing my trike apart and disconnecting about 100 wire connecters I finally got the aux. tank installed. I poured about 1 gallon of gas in the main tank and let it set about 1 hour to make sure no leaks. All seemed O.K.. Well then I came in the house and took a shower to get the gas smell off and went back out to the trike and thought great no leaks.

After that I poured another 4 gallons of gas in the main tank and viola! Leak from one of the nut inserts on the aux. tank. It was a bad leak dripping about every second. Now what to do? Siphon all the gas back out and start again from scratch. What a job. Well I got some of the 4 gallons of fuel out by siphoning. but still gas in the aux. tank that wouldn't flow into the main tank so I'd be able to siphon it out. Called Will at CSC and he said put low pressure air in the aux. tank to force the fuel out of the aux. tank into the main tank. I did that but had to buy a pump to pull the fuel out of the main tank again as it wouldn't pick up the siphon. Well at this point my wife was about to divorce me for stinking up the garage with gasoline again. Note! This was the second time to siphon out the fuel from the main tank.

Finally got the remaining fuel out of the main tank and pulled the fuel pump and the fuel level float out of the main tank again. Please note the fuel pump lock ring tool was $130 from Honda Had to buy that too. So back to square one. Now I'm back to disconnecting all the wires again and removing the battery and related wiring to allow the main tank to be rotated to be removed. (See Fred Harmon's video) Will at CSC indicated that all these tanks are pressure tested for leaks before shipping. All except the one they sent me?

The one they sent me leaks around the threaded insert on the right lower mount (while sitting on the trike). Will at CSC indicated that when they molded the threaded insert into the plastic tank they put extra plastic around the inside of the threaded insert to avoid these types of problems and he indicated that they've had very few leaks with these aux. tanks. I guess I'm just lucky? Well Will asked, and I did, provide him with Pictures of the leak with the tank installed on my trike. It's really hard for a 74 yr. old gent to get under the trike and take pictures with a digital camera laying on my back.

I emailed him three pictures of the leak. Had no leaks from the grommets or the fuel line connections but now since I've had to remove the fuel lines and tanks (both of them) I'll be needing new grommets for all four connections. He said he'd get another aux. tank shipped on Monday but last time it took over a week to travel from the east coast to Central Oregon. By the way he asked that I send the bad leaking tank back to them at my expense. Not likely!

I asked him to forward a UPS pickup slip so that I could return the bad tank to them and not have to pay for shipping it back. We'll see how that turns out? By the way I installed the tank without removing the bodywork from the trike. It's a bear doing it that way but I didn't want to go to the extra work to remove all the trunks and fenders. I'll admit I wouldn't do it again. I'd let the installer of the trike kit do it before installing all the exterior fiberglass has to be much easier. I hope no-one else has to go through this much trouble? By the way I've been a mechanic for over 50 yrs. both automobile, motorcycle and have an airplane mechanics license.

Don't try this if you're not comfortable with wiring and all phases of mechanical work. (And plenty of tools) I'll let you know what the outcome of this project is. If you're thinking of an aux. tank have it installed when you order the trike. Just my experience. Alan Sisters, Oregon See my latest posts all is well now!!

[MarciaG]

I'm sorry this happened to you, Alan. I ordered the aux tank for my CSC kit and had the installer install it. It leaked but I didn't realize it right away because at the time, I was parking it outside. Took it to the dealer and had them order a replacement tank under warranty. When they installed it, they pierced a rubber grommet. This was discovered while on the road from Ohio to TN! Discovered the leak (worse than the original), at a gas station. It was like Niagara Falls. Scary! Managed to get to a dealer in that area where they fixed the problem in about 1/2 hour and I was on my way! Thank goodness. I'm not a wrencher!

I do not regret my decision to have the tank installed. Now that everything is as it should be, I can go a long time between fill ups.

Best of luck and let us know how it all turns out!

MarciaG

[cmore]

Sorry u have had those issues. I don't see why u should have to pay shipping of the old tank. To me that adds insult to injury.

I have messed with my tank and its not fun. The problem turned out to be installer caused with the ring sealing gasket the fuel and level indicator thingie. I just used a screw driver and hammer to remove the locking ring. So saved that expense.

[icedad]

I was contemplating about adding a aux fuel tank to my CSC Goldwing, but after hearing about all the trouble and cost, I'm having second thoughts. I hate always having to worry about running out of fuel when I'm lost on some of the back roads of Ga. I've even thought about bringing a extra gas can in the trunk with me, just in case. How much would it cost approximately to have one installed? Any ideas? thanks

[carbco]

Well it's Dec. 12th now and after Talking with Will at CSC he's sent me a new tank and Sent a pickup slip for the leaking tank for me to ship it back to CSC. Will begin install this week and hope I don't have any more problems with leaks. The leaking tank appears to have a molding flaw in the lower portion of the tank but not near the fuel hole on the bottom. There is a big molding step in the two halves of the tank where they mate. I hope the new tank was pressure tested before shipping as I don't want to go through this again. My wife suggested forgetting the aux. tank and go buy a new main tank and put the trike back together. In addition I removed the driveshaft with the Mtn. Trike coupler and inspected it and all appears to be in great shape. Will add fresh moly grease and reinstall it.

Made some gaskets for the coupler out of rubber based gasket material I bought at the auto parts store so I don't have to use the RTV to seal the grease in the CV joint. It's messy and was hard to clean off after removing the coupler. I've E mailed Stan at Mtn. Trikes and asked him to let me know what rubber boot he purchased to use on his coupler but haven't heard from him yet. Maybe a call might be better? I'll keep all apprised on the outcome of my replacement fuel tank from CSC.. Whether here has been great for riding but now we're expecting snow so it may be a while before I get the Trike back together. Stay tuned for the details!!

[carbco]

Well Installed the replacement tank and viola! No Leaks yet. Put 3 gallons of fuel in and have let it set for two days and dry. CSC's Will sent me a pickup slip for UPS to ship the leaking tank back to CSC as well. So other than tearing my trike apart twice I'm Happy with the service that CSC has provided. So far they've stood behind the leaking tank and shipped a new one. Will also let me know that they warranty the aux. tank for a full year from the date of shipment.

That information was not included in the paperwork they provided. NIce to know. Well I'm back to hooking up another 100 wires and connectors and will try again!! So far I'm still happy with CSC I'm still convinced that you should have the trike kit installer install the aux. fuel tank when the rear fiberglass is off the trike. It will be much easier and avoid my problems. Thanks California Side Car. Still love my conversion.

[cmore]

Great information. Thanks for sharing your trails and tribulations.

[bayoudave]

I thought about an aux. tank but have been riding for years and never ran out of gas. I do have road side service with my Progressive insurance so if I ever do run out I will call them. Used them one time when I had a flat on the back of the trike and had very good service. Think I will just stop every few hours and get some gas.

[don graham]

I had a leak under the trike a while back. Thought at first it was because I was overfilling it. So I stopped as soon as it clicked off and it still leaked. Took it in to Coyote Honda in Avondale, Az. They said it was a grommet and ordered it from CSC. Came a few days later. Picked up the bike and there was no charge as it was still under warranty. Had it triked March of 2011. I like the extra capacity, even for riding around town as I don't have to fill up too often.

[carbco]

Well Here I am on New Years Eve. Filled up the tanks with 9 gallons of fuel and No leaks stationary. Took it for a ride around the block 1 mile and came home and smelled gas again. Well I jacked up the trike and looked underneath and fuel running down the back of the aux. tank. Poop! After that I took off the seat again and checked out the vent hose and apparently I damaged the vent tank bushing on the aux. tank. Pulled the hose out of the aux. tank and sure enough split bushing.

I found a small engine repair shop in Bend, Or. that sells mowers and other power tools. and guess what they had 2 of the rubber bushings in stock. Needless to say I bought both of them. Lubed up the new bushing with Teflon trailer ball grease and installed. No more leaks. This time was not CSC's fault it was the dope installing the tank ME!!. Now I'm waiting for an aux. power distribution module from Aerostich to sanitize my wiring and install a Gerbing's hookup for my heated clothing.

By the way when I took my trike out for a trial run around the block it was 21 degrees. Yikes that's cold!! All seems well now and now I can sleep and not worry about what's going to happen next. Thanks CSC for standing behind your products. pepper

[cmore]

Glad u have put it behind u and may the new year be trouble free.

[hbrogan57]

Glad you got it all worked out. Here's my idea of an "auxiliary" tank.....



And the "fuel pump" to use.....



Just a good laugh to lighten the mood......