IMS Tanks - Query about reserve

[tim46]

Has anyone had problems getting the last few litres of petrol out of their IMS tank.?

I had to turn onto reserve today after about 310k's and the bike wouldn't run properly. There was a decent amount of petrol in the bottom of the tank (both sides) and when I filled up and it only took 14.4 litres.

I can get fuel economy of 22km/ltr from my DR when commuting so I was expecting a range of at least 370k's.

How does 'reserve' get the last few litres out when there is only one feeder tube from the tank to the tap?
The stock Suzuki petrol tap has 2 tubes, one longer copper one and a very short one for reserve, so how can an IMS petrol tap have a 'reserve' when it only has one tube?

Would cutting the tube down solve the problem and allow those last few litres out?

Any help would be appreciated.

[hondav2]

Has anyone had problems getting the last few litres of petrol out of their IMS tank.?

I had to turn onto reserve today after about 310k's and the bike wouldn't run properly. There was a decent amount of petrol in the bottom of the tank (both sides) and when I filled up and it only took 14.4 litres.

I can get fuel economy of 22km/ltr from my DR when commuting so I was expecting a range of at least 370k's.

How does 'reserve' get the last few litres out when there is only one feeder tube from the tank to the tap?
The stock Suzuki petrol tap has 2 tubes, one longer copper one and a very short one for reserve, so how can an IMS petrol tap have a 'reserve' when it only has one tube?

Would cutting the tube down solve the problem and allow those last few litres out?

Any help would be appreciated.

I run a DR650 with IMS , the odd time after going on res I have had to blow into breather hose on fuel cap as carby wont fill, I think it is due to air lock in hose between carby and tank I have ran it till its stops on res and have got home by laying bike on left side , its good for 8km

[p.dath]

Any chance their is water in the bottom of the tank? Perhaps stick a bit of house in down to the bottom, block the top end (so nothing can run out) and pull it back out and check their is petrol all the way to the bottom.

[NordieBoy]

I had to turn onto reserve today after about 310k's and the bike wouldn't run properly. There was a decent amount of petrol in the bottom of the tank (both sides) and when I filled up and it only took 14.4 litres.

Sounds more like a blocked fuel-cap breather?

Try hooking the line from the tank to a fuel can and seeing if there is a difference in flow between normal and reserve?

If you elongate the hole in the IMS you can use the stock fuel-tap.

[Squiggles]

Perhaps worth looking at swiveling the inlet on the carb around? or is that not an issue with the supplied petcock (i run the stock suzuki one so wouldnt know)

[Bass]

Have a similar problem with the Safari tank.
In that case the tank is lower than the float bowl AND the hose arches upward between the carby and the fuel cock. Consequently the engine quits with about 3 liters left in the tank.
The fix was to put a MX type non-return valve in the breather.
When the motor quits, just blow into the breather and pressurise the tank slightly. The non-return valve holds the pressure up and makes the last few liters available.

[tim46]

Thanks for the help.
I checked the flow the tap and there was equal flow between on and reserve.
I will get a non-return breather tomorrow and see if that works