Fuel Geyser / Vent Line?

[Ghost]

2009 CBR600RR
No Mods
Stock Gas Tank/Stock Cap
Tank has never been off the bike, fuel lines stock, stock placement, nothing altered/changed/etc.


Had a nasty surprise riding today--went to check my fuel level and the tank expelled a (literal) geyser of fuel everywhere, it was enough to thoroughly soak me, and another rider who was probably 3 Feet away.

When it sprayed out, we looked into the tank and what was left appeared to be (again, no joke) boiling.

Sun + Altitude (Colorado 14k elevation) are obviously a factor, but in no way should this have happened.

I assume there's a tank vent, and I assume it's clogged, but I don't have a pdf of the shop manual to locate it.

I've not taken the plastics off yet, but I know/remember that one hose is clearly the overfill drain (probably has a carbon canister I'd guess) but where is the vent line?

And if it's just a pinched line, would it really build up that much pressure or is there something else I need to be looking for?

[TransNone13]

That's what it sounds like. If you've lifted and worked under the tank and kinked the hose that would explain it.

[Ghost]

That's what it sounds like. If you've lifted and worked under the tank and kinked the hose that would explain it.

I've never lifted the tank, but who knows what they did at the dealership when they replaced the ECU. AFAIK, it's under the seat tucked up towards the front of the subframe, but maybe they lifted the tank for...I dunno why...

Anyone have a PDF diagram of the 09 600RR?

[TransNone13]

It's right on top of the airbox IIRC. That's why I do my own work, so I can work on it with love... I will link you to a public domain service manual. Wait one...

I'm uploading my copy for you now, just give me a few minutes. It's an 08 manual, but it's 99% identical.

[Ghost]

It's right on top of the airbox. That's why I do my own work, so I can work on it with love... I will link you to a public domain service manual. Wait one...

I'm uploading my copy for you now, just give me a few minutes. It's an 08 manual, but it's 99% identical.

Sweet. Many Thanks man!

[Ghost]

That thing's still under tremendous pressure, and the cap is *really* F*ing hot...it's been in the garage in the shade since I got home and it's still acting like a pressure cooker...

If I vent that cap I bet it'll be Old Faithful Round #2, but I fear that much pressure will crack the tank...

I can't believe the stupid pinched vent hose hasn't blown off from the pressure...

[TransNone13]

BOOOOM goes the dynamite... or your gas tank...

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8C...iMzVi&hl=en_US

You want page 1-28.

[Ghost]

Downloading now!

(($5 to anyone who wants to come open the tank )

[TransNone13]

Come on now, you can do it... lol.

[Ghost]

Come on now, you can do it... lol.

I've already had my gasoline facial & bath for the day.

[TransNone13]

Your bike gave you a money shot. Approach slowly with kill rag.

[Ghost]

Your bike gave you a money shot. Approach slowly with kill rag.

Yeah, I'm thinking you're dead on...

[asp_125]

Place cold wet towel over tank to reduce the heat somewhat before opening.

[BC14]

Hopefully the change in pressure doesn't buckle the tank in.....

[Ghost]

Place cold wet towel over tank to reduce the heat somewhat before opening.

Will do.

Hopefully the change in pressure doesn't buckle the tank in.....

Great...and here I was afraid it'd burst from over-pressure...

[BC14]

Will do.



Great...and here I was afraid it'd burst from over-pressure...

Sudden change in pressure from going hot to cold can suck the tank in on itself.. Haven't been a witness to that yet, though.

[TransNone13]

Were you able to find the problem yet?

[Ghost]

Were you able to find the problem yet?

No, haven't even pulled the plastics yet.

I've been slowly venting using the cap to barely bleed pressure until it gets too hot to comfortably hold (as it's steaming the wet rag as it vents).

It's creepy to hear the gas boiling too, btw...

Once I've got it vented I'll pull the plastics and check the lines, then if the tank's cool enough I'll tip it up and see what I see...

[TransNone13]

That's insane dude. I didn't even know this could happen. You may be able to inspect the line from the left side of the bike unless the kink is directly under the tank.

[Ghost]

That's insane dude. I didn't even know this could happen.

Neither did I...

It's actually kinda freaked me out, and is still freaking me out...and I have a new fear of burning alive...

[Cornfed]

So the vent tube runs under the tank?
I'd like to laugh and call it another story made in the canyons, but honestly, it's not that funny, kinda scary.

[Cornfed]

"Hey guys, good ride today. There was that thing where Ghost and Wolfeyes were burned alive, but nobody crashed. So I'd have to say it was a good day".

[TransNone13]

Take pictures and document your findings. I would attempt to hold the shop liable for any damages you incurred if it was indeed related to their "work". Sounds like you'll be ok though, free oil change for being gassed?

[Ghost]

So the vent tube runs under the tank?
I'd like to laugh and call it another story made in the canyons, but honestly, it's not that funny, kinda scary.

Yeah, kinda down along the left frame rail and then it's one of the three tubes that exit the fairings on the left side.

For me, far more scary than funny. Granted, you had to be there, but I kept wondering when/if the tank was going to blow and if so, how quickly I'd be engulfed...and the SLOW traffic was really eating at me.

At least in movies bad guys always have a timer attached so you know how F'd you are, me I was just like "Hmm, tank hasn't blown, balls haven't roasted...yet...Hmm, tank hasn't blown, balls haven't roasted...yet...Hmm, tank hasn't blown, balls haven't roasted...yet..."

"Hey guys, good ride today. There was that thing where Ghost and Wolfeyes were burned alive, but nobody crashed. So I'd have to say it was a good day".

Exactly. Tombstones: "Burned alive but didn't crash."

Take pictures and document your findings. I would attempt to hold the shop liable for any damages you incurred if it was indeed related to their "work". Sounds like you'll be ok though, free oil change for being gassed?

Yeah, and the more I think about it, the more I think the "ECU" issue was probably this issue instead.

Think about--my original complaint was of what I thought was a fuel starvation issue, primarily at altitude, on hot August days last year (right after I bought the bike) and mid-to-high RPM/Throttle openings.

So, they guess it was an ECU issue with the baro sensor, but I think it was this all along. I've had other lug/surge issues that couldn't be duplicated, I've had the tank "pop" when opened before on hot days (though never, anything like this--just a bit of pressure release without anything else).

...meh, anyway, I'm hot, sweaty, tired, hungry and smell like I swam in a pool of Shell's finest. I've finally gotten the tank fully opened without the fireball I kept picturing in my head, I think I'm going to shower, eat, and deal with this tomorrow...and Tuesday it's going to the shop and we'll see hot that goes...

Guys, Thanks for everything, I really appreciate the help.

For Xmas, if you're shopping, I'd like some Nomex underwear and an EOD suit...