CSC Auxilary fuel tank question

[punch]

How do you know when the auxiliary tank is full? I've used the gas gauge on my 1800 with the CSC kit until it shows full, but when in motion the needle drops down to just above 3/4 full. I must have overfilled it the first time because at least a half gallon of gas poured from the charcoal canister in front. No excess fuel came from the filler tube like it does if you overfill! It would appear that you could fill it just as you would the stock 1800 but I'm afraid of overfilling it again.

As an aside, please: What is considered a normal range with the auxiliary tank, two people, total 350 lbs?

[Crossroads Trikes]

Because the auxiliary tank is connected by gravity to the main tank through a hose, it takes a few seconds for the gas to get from the main tank to the auxiliary tank. After you fill the main tank, wait about 30 seconds and you will see the gas level drop in the main tank as the fuel drains to the auxiliary tank. After it stabilizes, you can put another 1/2 gallon to a gallon of fuel in. Happy riding!!

[mhgoldwing]

I must have overfilled it the first time because at least a half gallon of gas poured from the charcoal canister in front.

A note of caution: if that much fuel passed through the charcoal canister, the charcoal may have become saturated and might not dry out. If this happens, when the purge valve opens the excess vapors will cause the engine to stumble and miss as though you had bad gas; actually it is flooding the engine and will not idle correctly or run smooth at low throttle positions.

I did this last year by overfilling my tank. It didn't stop this periodic miss/stumble until I changed the charcoal canister. Problem solved and it has not returned.

[punch]

Because the auxiliary tank is connected by gravity to the main tank through a hose, it takes a few seconds for the gas to get from the main tank to the auxiliary tank. After you fill the main tank, wait about 30 seconds and you will see the gas level drop in the main tank as the fuel drains to the auxiliary tank. After it stabilizes, you can put another 1/2 gallon to a gallon of fuel in. Happy riding!!

I appreciate the information! I'll be sure to give the fuel time to stabilize before resuming the fill up.

[punch]

A note of caution: if that much fuel passed through the charcoal canister, the charcoal may have become saturated and might not dry out. If this happens, when the purge valve opens the excess vapors will cause the engine to stumble and miss as though you had bad gas; actually it is flooding the engine and will not idle correctly or run smooth at low throttle positions.

I did this last year by overfilling my tank. It didn't stop this periodic miss/stumble until I changed the charcoal canister. Problem solved and it has not returned.

Thanks for your important input! I haven't experienced any engine problems as you describe but I still smell a slight odor of gasoline. On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it to replace the charcoal canister?

[mhgoldwing]

Thanks for your important input! I haven't experienced any engine problems as you describe but I still smell a slight odor of gasoline. On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it to replace the charcoal canister?

3 - not hard, just a little time consuming. Hopefully, you got lucky and won't have a problem.

[GoldWingrGreg]

On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it to replace the charcoal canister?

It's a 2 out of 10.

- Remove the lower center cowl

- pull off the 2 "vacuum hoses" on the right side

- disconnect 1 or 2 nylon ties

- loosen 2 bolts to un-bolt it from its bracket

I doubt you have a bad charcoal canister.

[David357]

Thanks for your important input! I haven't experienced any engine problems as you describe but I still smell a slight odor of gasoline. On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it to replace the charcoal canister?

Punch, I have the auxiliary tank set up on my CSC trike conversion. I can get about 34 mpg (310 mile range with 30 mile safety reserve) with a full tank and 250 lbs of rider, gear and other stuff.

The installer of the CSC kit was very clear with me when he said that if the auxiliary tank fuel lines are not connected correctly to the main gas tank with the proper fittings, slight gas leakage may happen.

The gravity fed auxiliary gas tank is a great option without pumps or wiring. However, the CSC installer suggested to me that I need use up about 7 gallons (230 miles) prior to refilling the tank. Otherwise, when you go to refill the tank, the previous tank gas fill up will remain in the auxiliary tank. The auxiliary gas can become stale week after week if you top off the tank regularly and not allow the auxiliary tank to drain and refill properly.

When you finally burn up the old and possibly stale gas, this is when various fuel system problems can happen. I have on occasion added a fuel stabilzer prior to a complete tank refill. This way I know that the fuel in the auxiliary tank is protected should I short fill the tank over the next several weeks.

I hope this helps.

[Doctorbob12]

This may sound stupid. I bought a CSC trike used. Were do I need to look to see if it has an Auxiliary Tank? I haven't ridden that far only about 500 miles. I did get over 6 gallons in the tank on the one fill up. The fuel Light had not came on when I stopped to fill up. The previous own didn't mention having an Auxiliary tank. I have seen them at the CSC display at motorcycle rallies but haven't talked to any on that has one.

[G.W. Viper]

Just a word of caution about the Aux. gas tank. If you have one good for you. I like having extra fuel on board so you can go a little farther in your travels.

In my case after I bought my trike I looked into getting one installed on mine. Well the shop that I went to, the mechanic was very up front with me. He warned me that If I did have one installed be aware of.... If your fuel pump or another pump goes out ( sorry but I don't exactly remember which pump he stated ) but in any event he said if that pump goes out, with the aux tank installed, they would have to tear down the whole conversion kit , just to get to the pump. Lots of labor involved there $$$.

So if you are considering adding one...ask questions .....

[rhino 2]

Bring me up to speed.... I had /put an auxiliary tank on my 71 beetle during the 73 fuel embargo... One tank on top of the other , 21 gal total..[at the time i had all the gas i needed from one source] And at the time i was driving over a hundred miles a day...

The top tank would gravity feed the stock tank, No pumps or switches , And no stale gas.

So my question is... Does the CSC tank act as a holding tank, And then you have to flip a switch or turn a valve to use that tank..

[G.W. Viper]

Bring me up to speed.... I had /put an auxiliary tank on my 71 beetle during the 73 fuel embargo... One tank on top of the other , 21 gal total..[at the time i had all the gas i needed from one source] And at the time i was driving over a hundred miles a day...

The top tank would gravity feed the stock tank, No pumps or switches , And no stale gas.

So my question is... Does the CSC tank act as a holding tank, And then you have to flip a switch or turn a valve to use that tank..

I believe its just gravity fed, once your main tank is close to empty, it just uses gas from aux. tank..no switch or valve to use.

[rhino 2]

I believe its just gravity fed, once your main tank is close to empty, it just uses gas from aux. tank..no switch or valve to use.

So its just like my set up from 73.... No extra fuel pump to go bad, and stale gas to worry about...

[punch]

Just a word of caution about the Aux. gas tank. If you have one good for you. I like having extra fuel on board so you can go a little farther in your travels.

In my case after I bought my trike I looked into getting one installed on mine. Well the shop that I went to, the mechanic was very up front with me. He warned me that If I did have one installed be aware of.... If your fuel pump or another pump goes out ( sorry but I don't exactly remember which pump he stated ) but in any event he said if that pump goes out, with the aux tank installed, they would have to tear down the whole conversion kit , just to get to the pump. Lots of labor involved there $$$.

So if you are considering adding one...ask questions .....

Thanks to all for such comprehensive information. It really helps me and perhaps others will find it worthwhile. For sure they'll find it interesting!

[07BlueCSC]

Bring me up to speed.... I had /put an auxiliary tank on my 71 beetle during the 73 fuel embargo... One tank on top of the other , 21 gal total..[at the time i had all the gas i needed from one source] And at the time i was driving over a hundred miles a day...

The top tank would gravity feed the stock tank, No pumps or switches , And no stale gas.

So my question is... Does the CSC tank act as a holding tank, And then you have to flip a switch or turn a valve to use that tank..

The auxiliary tank from CSC fills from the Honda tank. No switches or valves. When the LOW FUEL light comes on, there is still about 3 gallons left.

The last gallon fills very slow.

[nywinger]

Your Mechanic is not correct on fuel pump removal.The only thing requiring removal to get to the pump is the seat ,same as a regular bike. I have the CSC w/aux tank And have had the pump out a few times for tank guage readings. The only real "Snake" is IF you have to remove the main tank for some reason such as a starter change you will need a new seal ( avil. from CSC )for the supply line from the aux,that is located in the bottom of the main tank