Man I am frustrated as can be right now...
I had the bike all put together. I fueled it up with a gallon of gas, and it fired right up sounding great. I moved it up to the garage so I could do the oil change the following day.
Next day I fire her up to drive around a bit to warm the oil for the change. When I get back I smell fuel. I shut her down for the night.
Today I have time to work on her, so I pop the seats and side panels to get a view of the lines. I turn the key on to pressurize the lines, and this is what I see.
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Jaredcm1/Tiger/DSCN0779.jpg)
I popped off the fuel fittings and one of the o-rings was split. I was elated, thinking this was going to be an easy fix... WRONG.
After spending ten bucks on new Viton o-rings and hose clamps from AutoZone (only place that carried the Viton rings, and they were in a big variety pack.), I run home and put new rings on both fittings. Still leaking. I put new hose clamps on both hoses. Still leaking. I had another 3/8" barbed connection I ordered by mistake, so I used that. STILL LEAKING!
When I took these pictures I noticed I had put the fuel lines on backwards after changing the o-rings, and the leaks is staying with the bottom fitting.
It's got to be coming from either the bottom threads, the mating surfaces, or the hose connection. I don't see any evidence of fuel around the top fittings.
And looking at the way it's dripping / running, I think it's coming from the mating surfaces. If it was the threads it would be running down the plate. If it was leaking from the hose it would be dripping off the hose. But I'm all but positive it's dripping from the connection point. It does not well up around the hose until it's been dripping for a for a while. But after changing the o-ring and then the entire fitting I don't see how it could be the barbed male fitting. That only leaves the female threaded fitting. And unless it's got some major flaw with it that I can't detect, I'm at a loss for what else to check.
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Jaredcm1/Tiger/DSCN0780.jpg)
I don't want to pull and drain the tank, and replace the female fitting just to find there is nothing wrong with it, anyone have any ideas?
I'm getting ready to install the Team Triumph metal fittings on my '02 this weekend, so I've been following your post. I'm just going to take a stab here - I know you're not thinking it's the hose, but my only experience with this type of thing was my BMW R1150RS. It would seep fuel around a hose connection, only when the outside temperature was below about 50 degrees. When it leaked, it did so only briefly, then stop. Upon removing and examining the hose very closely, I could see some very fine hair line cracks, on the inside surface of the hose - just enough to allow pressurized fuel to be pushed up the hose to seep out at the connection point. Once the hose got wetted, it would seal itself. I don't know if you replaced the fuel line or not, be even with new hose, is it possible it's gotten damaged, even slightly, in the process? Just an idea. ---Jay
get rid of the pinch type clamp and use old fashioned hose clamps , you know the kind you tighten with a screw driver .
replace the hoses and when you put the fittings together with new o-rings put a dab of grease on them , they will slide together easier without the possibility of twisting or kinking the o ring.
good luck
the team triumph kit comes with a screw type clamp, for use on the pressurized inlet fuel line (not the return line though). That's the fitting that seems to be leaking as well - bottom one, right? higher pressure than the other one....
try what mustang said - bet that fixes it.
Thanks guys.
I'm all but positive it's not coming from the hose or threaded end of the fitting. And I did try using screw on clamps on both hoses and it made no difference.
I hooked the hoses up backwards and turned on the key to pressurize the lines and the leak still emanated from the bottom fitting.
Between trying 3 fittings and 2 new o-rings I'm sure I had good o-rings during at least some of the tests, but I'll inspect them again tonight and and try using some grease on the male fitting and see if that makes any difference.
bad fitting? I read somewhere about tightening them down too far could damage them (force them out of round and let them leak) - but it looks like you left enough space there in the pics from that other thead... I bet if you had another female fitting it would be fine.
could have been bad from the start!
Man this is bizarre as I'm having the exact same problem
I swapped my gas tank for one that fits properly and buttoned it all up and lo and behold it's leaking from the bottom fuel fitting
I also have replaced the o-rings and still no joy.
I bought another female fitting to go into the fuel pump assembly but the thing is plastic , so I'll see if it works.
I'm completely stumped and have had the tank on 4 different times with the same result slight leakage from the bottom fuel fitting.
I've left it sitting on my bench right now as I'm ready to take a hammer to it.
I have had the tank sitting on my bench with all lines hooked up to test and no leak , stick it back in the bike and the bastard started leaking again.
Completely stumped right now
Weather still hasn't been warm enough to go play with fuel...
Does yours leek when it's just sitting or only when it's pressurized? (key on, or engine running)
how are the fuel lines routed? I would plug the output line in first - that's the bottom one, and then the top one in. Make sure the bottom line does not loop / cross over the top line - this could pull against the fitting on the bottom.
If routed correctly, the lines won't cross over each other...... if this makes any sense...
I figured these things would seal air tight, does a little pressure pulling / pushing on the fitting cause it to leak?!
Quote from: "EvilBetty"I figured these things would seal air tight, does a little pressure pulling / pushing on the fitting cause it to leak?!
thats what I thought too but I think it's the bottom fitting just not sealing correctly so I'm going to change it and see what happens
don't know if it would or not.... just a thought.
Hey - did either of you swap the female fittings? Top for bottom? Not replace, just swap to confirm a bad one or not?
I'm planning on doing the same thing, once I receive the replacement in the mail.
I think before that though I'm also going to replace all the fuel lines including the tank section hoses. I'm all but positive that the hoses connecting to the fittings are not to blame, but what is it going to hurt.
replaced the bottom female fitting and problem solved so far
did replace all the hose clamps and lines while I was at it.
Tomorrow do the 02 sensor and balance throttle bodies and all set for the season , hopefully
I got my new fitting in the mail yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to install it. May not till Saturday judging by the weather. :(
You guys have inspired me to make the upgrade to metal. I figure my 10 year old fittings are a time bomb. The actual part numbers and a link to a supplier should be put in the cross reference page. In the interest of accuracy - can anyone who's successfully done the change post?
Riding the storm out :cry:
I got this email from QuickCouplings before they offered to send me out the new fitting... FYI - The TeamTriumph parts do come with Viton rings, at a $25 premium (along with clamps and instructions I believe as well.)
QuoteThere are basically only 2 options you have:
1) For fuel line the best seal to have in the couplings is Viton. The part numbers would be LCD10004BSPTV ($11.00 each) & LCD23006V ($11.65 each). Unfortunately, these fittings are "made to order" which means that they are 100 piece minimum per line item OR have a $55.00 set up fee charge per line item for under 100 pieces being ordered. Also, the lead time runs about 4 – 5 weeks plus shipping to manufacturer them.
2) You can keep using the standard fittings and need to change them frequently do to the seals breaking because of the fuel eating away at them.
A lot of our customers go with the number 2 option because they don't want to pay the set up fee charges but honestly I would go with option 1 and buy a few extra of each to have for the future. If I was going to pay a set up fee I would get the most out of it by buying extras, so you won't have to go over this again! If you keep ordering the standard fittings, over time you will end up spending around that amount probably anyhow. Just a thought but it is your call.
I hope this info helps you!
Everything I have read says the BUNA-N rings are only a little more susceptible to fuel than Viton, but if they are making these statements of their parts... like he says, it's your call.
the team triumph ones came with one clamp, you reuse one (just a clarification)
They have you reuse the one on the return line.
Quote from: "Bruincounselor"You guys have inspired me to make the upgrade to metal. I figure my 10 year old fittings are a time bomb. The actual part numbers and a link to a supplier should be put in the cross reference page. In the interest of accuracy - can anyone who's successfully done the change post?
Riding the storm out :cry:
Bruin; I ordered the Team Triumph kit and had minimal issues swapping them out on my '02 this past weekend. At some point in its' history my bike had the recall done, so the male fittings were metal, but had no check valve. I just used my needle nosed vice grip to clamp the fuel line and installed the male side before even removing the tank. My tank was about 3/4 full when I did this, (poor planning :( ), but I laid the tank on its' side on a soft blanket. The plastic females backed out easily with a 19 mm socket, no crumbling, just a minimal bit of residue in the threads that I picked out with an awl. I followed Team Triumph's instruction sheet carefully about not overtightening and everything sealed up great. No leaks! :D
My only issue was that some part of the kit was back ordered and I only found that out when I called TT when my package didn't come in a timely manner. The gal I spoke to said it would go out the next Monday and it came in as expected. Also, my kit only contained 1 new screw type clamp and the instructions indicate that you are to reuse one of the snap together originals. I couldn't get it to reclose, so picked up a package of fuel injection hose clamps and put screw type clamps on both lines.
As pointed out in other posts: use caution when you take apart the slides on the female side! Make sure you practice with the new ones, in a plastic bag or box to get the feel for it. I did shoot one of the new pins into the dark recesses of my garage and ended up reusing one from the old fitting when I couldn't find it :oops: Take your time and read the instructions carefully before starting. Good luck!
Success! The new fitting they sent out did the trick! No leak!
After that guys email about the BUNA-N rings deteriorating, I researched it some more. The only thing I can find that tears up these rings quickly is Ethanol. And seeing as though the fuel I'll be putting in the bike has 10% or less I can't see this being a problem.
I'm having a similar problem, the bottom fitting is leaking. Can someone post links to where I can buy new fittings.
Found the link. I just discovered the cross-reference thread!
Take off the teflon tape on the metal fittings and use Hylomar. I had all sorts of issues and the Hylomar cured all my issues.
Was changing the seal behind the drive sprocket this weekend and notice that I am having the same problem.
Are the O rings available from an automotive source and if so what size are they?
I'm thinking I want to try this prior to spending $ on the new fittings unless you guys can convince me otherwise.
Well... I thought.
Slowly I began smelling a leak that got progressively worse.
Today I tore down the bike again. I was going to replace the fuel lines and reset the female fuel fittings. I pulled and measured the fuel lines and headed up to the auto parts store. It wasn't until I spend $16 bucks in new lines did I get home and realize they were not the same size exactly. They fit the fittings but didn't fit the factory hose clamps. :x
I really wanted to reuse these nice clamps so I inspected the current hoses and could find nothing wrong with them. I went ahead and cleaned and refit the fittings with Teflon tape against my better judgment. When I reinstalled them I turned them one more half turn each.
It seems to have done the trick. I put 100 miles on it and didn't smell a single hint of fuel. Time will tell I guess.
Quote from: "EvilBetty"I really wanted to reuse these nice clamps so I inspected the current hoses and could find nothing wrong with them. I went ahead and cleaned and refit the fittings with Teflon tape against my better judgment. When I reinstalled them I turned them one more half turn each.
I actually put mine on very tight and haven't seen a problem (and used Hylomar). I think that the pipe thread is causing people to still keep them too loose.
I wanted to use Hylomar, but $29 bucks for a couple litte dabs didn't make sense.
The only reason I used Teflon tape was because I didn't want to wait 2 days for a sealant to cure. I needed my bike and garage floor back. And I was sure it was going to leak again and I figured Teflon tape would be easier to clean off than more threebond.
Quote from: "EvilBetty"I wanted to use Hylomar, but $29 bucks for a couple litte dabs didn't make sense.
I understand that one. I work for an industrial distributor and have a whole lot of chemicals/resources at my disposal so I paid a little less for it.
Quote from: "matttys"Quote from: "EvilBetty"I wanted to use Hylomar, but $29 bucks for a couple litte dabs didn't make sense.
I understand that one. I work for an industrial distributor and have a whole lot of chemicals/resources at my disposal so I paid a little less for it.
Don't you mean "paid" or "a little less" :lol: :lol:
I had to order a plastic female fitting since TT may not have them metal ones in time for the rally. I still have the metal ones on order. They were kind enough to send me the metal male fittings since they had those in stock and didn't charge me for those :D, not yet anyway.
I installed the new plastic female fitting and this seem to stop the constant leaking. But now when I try to start the bike the pressure is causing the fitting to leak. Next thing to try is replacing the plastic male fittings with the metal one. Hopefully this will resolve the issue with the leak until I get the metal female fittings.
Success! :hello2 It seems both the male and female fittings were broken. I replaced both of them and no more leaks.
Yes it's a wonderful feeling to stop your bike from bleeding isn't it? :)
Yes it is. My wife told me she's never seen me this happen before.
I just got done reading a few different threads on this and ordered the TeamTriumph kit for my bike. I'm still unclear as to the process of reinstalling the new ends.
How tight should the female end be? I understand it's tapered and will stick out about 3-5 threads. Should I use anything on the threads?
3-5 threads may be a little too much. Mine were leaking because they were not in tight enough. I think they are 2-3 threads out now. When your tightening them just use some good judgment on how tight it feels. Don't run them all the way in for sure. How far they go in will depend on what kind of sealant you use as well.
Some use Teflon tape even though it's not recommended for use around fuel. You can use a sealant, just make sure it's rated for use with fuel. Some use Permatex, I used Three Bond.
I thought you used tephlon, since you didn't want to wait for chemicals to dry... I can't wait either... I just paid $40 for overnight shipping on the new fittings, to get this beast rolling for my 10 day vacation starting tommorrow! I haven't even figured out where I'm going yet.
Correct. I used Teflon on the 3rd attempt. I used the Three Bond the first two times but I wasn't tightening them enough.
also, the team triumph fittings will come with the teflon tape already applied to the one type of fitting anyway.... so if you don't like it, you have to actually remove it.
I used what they sent, and have not had a problem at all. Good advice from evilbetty about making sure they are tight.
Just bumping your old thread evilbetty since I am having the fuel leak problem. Looks like you chased this thing around a bit. At one point you mentioned that it was the new fittings that fixed it then it leaked because it wasn't tight enough. Were the actual fittings bad at first?
Also did you ever turn the key on to pressuize the fittings without them connected? I have done this on mine and no leak so I am thinking that the threads are not the culprit.
I don't believe I ever had a bad connector. I think I had a leak from the top fitting not being tight enough. The combination of using the Teflon tape and tightening the fitting a 1/4 turn more seemed to solve my leaking issues.
I never did it with the fittings not connected. I don't that would be advisable.
I did however let it pressurize up with the everything connected and on the earlier leaks it would leak. On the later leaks I only noticed it after I had had been riding and came to a stop, and would smell gas.