Garage reeks of gas

[Grimmpatrick]

Hey, guys. I thought I'd reach out to the collective before bugging my mechanic.

I took her out for a spin the other day and everything seemed fine. As usual, she runs like a top. The next morning, however, my garage is full of gas fumes. My first fear was hydrolock, but I blipped the starter and she sounded good, so I tried to fire her up and, as usual, no problems.

There's no gas on the floor and that's about as far as I've gotten. Any ideas?

[Chrisj CMA]

The gas cap is a frequent culprit. It helps to open the cap after parking. Use a napkin to wipe the gasket and then close. Throw the napkin away outside.

[Grimmpatrick]

Thanks, Chris. I'll give it a shot. I just think it's weird that one day it was fine, the next I've got a garage full of fumes.

[ckahler]

Was the petcock turned off? Check for any wet areas on the carbs and around the fuel rails. A leak can be slow enough that the gas evaporates before getting to the garrage floor.

[Avanti]

I use a product called Rubber Care. I think ethanol dries out the gasket which causes a poor sealing surface, so I treat the rubber and other plastic monthly on the bike and other vehicles.

[Jess from VA]

This (fumes with no leak) is often a dried out gas cap gasket.

There are several fixes; one is a big Oring that fits perfectly (in a post on here somewhere), and the other is to cut up a bicycle inner tube to make another gasket and sister it over the old one.

[RP#62]

Also look at lower side of the petcock to see if it looks wet.

-RP

[longrider]

If the OP has fueled to FULL within 20 or 30 miles at a bit higher elevation and/or lower ambient temps (eg Payson) then parks in the garage the colder fuel will warm up from engine heat under the tank causing fumes to come out of the vent tube under the m/c until engine is cooler.

[Grimmpatrick]

Good Morning, VRCC crew.

I'm sorry it's been a couple of weeks since the last update. I work from home now, so the commute doesn't require a ride any more.

Thank you all for your suggestions. FYI, I haven't changed elevation and the tank was only about a third full on that original ride.

I took her out yesterday just to see how she ran (like a clock) and to see if the gas smell came back. Nothing. Not even a whiff. I think it's rare for something to self correct, but it seems like that's what happened. I'm still a little concerned, but all seems to be well for now.