Not used for 6 weeks, now leaky fuel

[cb1300rider]

Hello
Not had my Vstrom out since mid May.  Thought tonight enough is enough, Garage doors open, fired her up, thought give her time to warm/idle.......went back to her 3-4 minutes later, could smell the fumes before I got to the garage, big fuel patch under bike towards from.  Turned her off instantly, had a look, all breather pipes seemed dry.  The only signs I could see were a couple of drips getting to fall under starter motor and in the bit of the motor where the v joins, a small puddle.   Gave her a few minutes to settle down, pushed her outside the garage this time, started her up again and this time no leak............no leak at all, from anywhere
Any thoughts?
Needless to say I thought best not to go out tonight after that, so haynes in hand and having a nosey.
Any hints would be appreciated.

[cb1300rider]

Just to add, its a 650, 2005

Also, when I turned the ignition on, the fuel pump I thought made a slightly higher pitched noise than  what I remember.  Ignition off.   Ignition on, the pump then made what I would call the 'normal' noise.

Not sure if that helps

[Gassoon]

According to the sadly missed greywolf, one of the commonest reasons for those symptoms is the short connector hose between the 'V' of the engine. He theorised that it dries out after sitting idle or a long period, then leaks when reactivated, and seals itself again when exposed to fuel ! no idea if that's the case, but there is a decent discussion of it on VSRI HERE. Remember its not just a bit of rubber pipe, but high pressure fuel hose if you do replace it!

[cb1300rider]

Interesting........the theory certainly seems like it could be the case here.
Restarted the bike each day after the leak and no leakage at all.
Will try again tomorrow, not started her since Wednesday, will see how she goes on tomorrow when I start her next.
The little pipe looks like it could be tricky to change.

[Gert]

A few threads that you may want to read on the the subject: https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,7728.0.html
https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,18797.0.html
https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,4546.0.html
https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,17884.0.html

[hesky66]

Had the same problem a few years ago, like Gasson said , its probably the small link pipe between the injectors , I just bought a couple of new connectors , problem solved   

[cb1300rider]

Sorry to drag up an old thread.

Thought starting / running the bike more often would have eliminated my leaky fuel problem.  Now not running her for 3 days produces a leak at start up.   Run for a few minutes petrol leaks.  Turn off, back on 10 minute later and no leak.  It then doesn't leak again until not used for 3 days'ish.

So I will be investigating this link pipe along with its 2 clamps.

Following the links another forum user posted above, there seems to be differing opinions on what size fuel hose is required.   Has anyone here actually replaced this bit of pipe, if so do you recall what size pipe you used?

Thanks in advance

[Gassoon]

It's certainly one of those disconcerting issues, where fuel is involved!

Hasn't happened to me , but I just remembered it's been discussed before on this here very forum! Hope this link from about 6 years ago helps you along...HERE

[cb1300rider]

  Gassoon, you are a gentleman!

[edd3647]

Snap! I had this same problem with my 1000 the day before going up to Thruxton for the BSB a couple of months back  . And it did it last year as well      . Both times the bike had been sat for a while unused then when I started her up had a fuel leak up high. Switched off, left for several minutes, restarted and issue resolved! Fingers crossed at the moment!!!

[cb1300rider]

 I had my fingers crossed after it happened the first time, but it happened again, the was happening more frequently.   My worried head says, although when used regularly this doesn't happen, what if the pipe is old and worn and one day it pops when out riding.......my safe head is saying sort it.

[The Border Riever]

I've looked at this thread a couple of times now and it's just dawned on me!!!!!!......If I hadn't been out on my bike for 6 weeks.....My wife would phone for the doctor