Fuel tank/pump leak

Message

gtfour · #1 Post by **gtfour** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:07 am

Hi, new to the site (and Aprilias), I was pointed in this direction by the AF1 forum.

I've just had my tank off to de-restrict my new (to me!) Falco, de-restriction went well but lifting the tank seems to have un-sealed the fuel pump from the (warped) tank and caused a pretty serious fuel leak!
I've managed to re-seal it for now but the tank is not a pretty shape and I don't trust the seal. I'm thinking of making up an ally adapter plate and bonding this to the tank, the pump would then have a rigid, flat surface to seal against. Anyone else tried this?

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 1:00 pm

Hi and welcome.

Fortunately for me, I've not had problems with the fuel pump seal - however Pete (Aladinsaneuk) has - I'm sure he'll be along soon to advise .... though he's in the middle of moving house so there may be a bit of a delay ....

flatlander · #3 Post by **flatlander** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:34 pm

HI welcome not sure if it is the same thing but i seem to remember that sometimes there was an issue with the seal between the tank and the recss not fitting after dissembling and something to do with silicon filler but I think that was pete surprised DR hasnt pointed you in the direction of the search

gtfour · #4 Post by **gtfour** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:29 pm

thanks for the input, Aladinsaneuk has made contact through AF1 forum. We'll see if we can come up with a solution...

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:43 pm

gtfour wrote:thanks for the input, Aladinsaneuk has made contact through AF1 forum. We'll see if we can come up with a solution...

We'll have to have words with him answering first on AF1 before here.

Time to call the Admins Disciplinary Council together!

Hope you get it sorted

Aladinsaneuk · #6 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:54 pm

Do I hear the sound of a zippo sparking for an admin burning

(I replied there first as I was not sure if my ridersite grooming had been up to par an he had joined....)

flatlander · #7 Post by **flatlander** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:56 pm

As opposed to your normal grooming ?

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:01 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Do I hear the sound of a zippo sparking for an admin burning

(I replied there first as I was not sure if my ridersite grooming had been up to par an he had joined....)

In other words you'd not bothered to check and consequently failed to see this thread.

You've been rumbled

Aladinsaneuk · #9 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:11 pm

Ok

The secret of this is preparation and cleanliness ;)

You are going to need a very low set capable torque wrench, a lolly stick and a tube of petrol resistant instant gasket - brand new with an uncut nozzle

Drain your tank and totally remove from the bike. While the tank is off clear out the drains and breathers using a pipe cleaner

Take off the fuel pump and look at the plate it sits on. There is a gasket that sits in a recess - CAREFULLY remove it and clean. Now use the softwood lolly stick to clean out the debris from the recess - use an airline to blow it clean if you can.

Now cut the tip off the liquid gasket and put a thin bead into the recess - then put the rubber gasket in on top of it - then another thin bead over the top

Now refit the fuel pump and DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN iirc they are about 8lb setting

gtfour · #10 Post by **gtfour** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:36 pm

Ah, thanks for trying to get in touch with me! Sorry about the lack of phone answering, nice weather+new bike = me out riding!

Your solution to the tank seal is exactly what I did to get the bike ridable again. Just did the bolts up nice and gently using my wrist based torque-o-meter, you can actually see the tank starting to bend if you tighten too much.
I'm still not happy with the whole thing though, the tank is still warped at the end of the day and trying to seal something to it is just not a solution that sits well with me!
I'll see how it goes, if I machine up a plate and it works well I'll be happy to share the plans.