fuel smell when I went on reserve

[Duffy]

I think I may need a petcock rebuild kit, but wanted to hear from those that know here first.

Today I had to go on reserve  while riding and got a strong smell of unburned gas while on reserve. I looked and felt for a leak around the petcock, but didn't find any evidence other than the smell.

I had the tank off a few weeks ago to clean the air filter (K&N) and rode 2,000+ miles since without noticing a problem. I think I got all the hoses back on properly. Today the fuel smell was worse than I have ever noticed.

Suggestions for diagnosis? TIA. 

[Ricky-D]

I would suggest looking at the fill cap and gasket, especially if the sun was out and shining on the tank making it hot.

I've had similar experience and know it is from the fill cap gasket letting out some fumes. Especially so when the tank is very low in gasoline.

***

[fudgie]

To me its normal.  ??? Alot of the times before I turn to resv, I smell gas. This is how I know I need to switch to resv. Done it since day one, oem and Pingel. Its just a small hint of fuel.

[Pete]

Duffy, hate to confuse the issue but, when I hit reserve I do not smell gas. Last time 3 weeks ago.

If you hit reserve about the right mileage, hummmm do no know what to say.

If you hit reserve early check the vaccum side of the petcock for a gas leak(and maybe a vaccum leak).

Since you are still smelling it sounds like a small weep somewhere.

Sometimes a failure has nothing to do with a action, but most of the time it does.
 

[Duffy]

Did I mention that once I got gas and took it off reserve, no fuel smell at all. That was yesterday, Saturday. Then today, I rode 331 miles with Thumper, didn't go to reserve and smelled nothing.

It seems to be only when I am on reserve.

I think I will go to the garage, put a newspaper under the petcock and flip it to reserve and see what happens (Thumpers idea.) - I'll be back. 

[Duffy]

Ok, I couldn't repeat the smell. I flipped it to reserve with the newspaper under to help ID any leak and no leak, no smell.

So, I stood it level, still nothing, cranked it up, and no smell no leak, all while on reserve. I flipped it back to "on" or normal and no smell or leak.

It seems it was a one time thing, so far. 

Here is an unrelated pic of the Valk when I was returning from Florida last summer somewhere in middle Georgia:

[fudgie]

Run it to resv again and see.

[Duffy]

Run it to resv again and see.

Yah, I guess I'll have to do that. I was hoping to avoid making a small problem (fuel smell) into a bigger problem (no fuel to engine while out on the road..  ) but that seems like the next step.

I may wait until after "Britman's Memorial Day Ride, hosted by Smokinjoe".

This is a test that should be performed close to home. 

[Farther]

Strap a one gallon gas can to the p-pad so you will have a two gallon reserve for the test.