Roundabouts and diesel

[Houseman]

This is probably a really dumb/obvious question, but what is it with roundabouts and diesel?

I nearly binned my beloved recently due to a sudden "whoopsdieselfuck" incident while leaned over a bit, going about 40kph round a 2 lane jobbie (Queenstown Rd exit off Mangere Motorway). Somehow managed to hold on by employing farmbike style and throwing a leg down to hold the front end together. Not pretty, but very glad to get out of it unhurt and unscratched.

Got on KB as you do to browse similar threads and apparently diesel spills on roundabouts are a common occurence.

What I'd like to know is...why? Do trucks not screw their fuel caps on properly or sommit?

[Bald Eagle]

Do trucks not screw their fuel caps on properly or sommit?

That's your answer right there.

[Houseman]

Guy in a car in the other lane slowed down and saw the whole thing. I looked over and patted my chest (as in "sheez that was close") and he just shook his head at me as if I was hooning. Wanker.

[Houseman]

That's your answer right there.

Cheers for that, that's pretty piss-poor safety wise...

[Woodman]

The other reason there is a lot of diesel on roads and accumulated on roundabouts is because of the amount of diesel leaking out of the fuel pumps on a lot of diesels.

I was talking to a guy in a garage the other day and he says it is keeping him going at the moment fixing the leaky pumps.

It is the winter blend of diesel that the fuel companies are supplying that is causing the seals to leak. It happened a few years ago as well when I was in the trade.

Wonder how many accidents the fuel companies are responsible for???

[Scuba_Steve]

On the up-side if you hit them right you can do some wicked drifts:scooter:

[varminter]

Judging by the amount of rainbow coloured blobs I see on the road when it's raining I assume that about half of the fuel fed from the pumps goes on the road, it must be pissing out of some vehicles. I've often considered tossing down a match.

[Ocean1]

That's your answer right there.

Somewhat. Also, unlike cars and for reasons that I'm unaware of diesel tanks are almost never air-tight. If you look at most truck tank caps they either have no seal at all or on that patently doesn't work.

Fookin' criminal.

[JimO]

the dreadad boy racers tend to pour deisel around as well

[pete376403]

As well as the other reasons, truck tanks tend to be on the left (passenger) side of the vehicle, so on the outside as the they go round the about = fuel thrown to the outside of the tank (where the leaky cap is).

[Guided_monkey]

Feel free to ring the council if it's bad enough.

They are responsible to clean-up. Don't accept a 'helpful' it will be washed off with the rain.:angry:

[yungatart]

Feel free to ring the council if it's bad enough.

They are responsible to clean-up. Don't accept a 'helpful' it will be washed off with the rain.:angry:

...Or the police.

[st00ji]

Judging by the amount of rainbow coloured blobs I see on the road when it's raining I assume that about half of the fuel fed from the pumps goes on the road, it must be pissing out of some vehicles. I've often considered tossing down a match.

good luck with that!

diesel spreads out a huge amount in a bit of moisture, even tiny drops can cover a palm sized area with ease. throwing a match on it will result in the match going out, its not petrol :)

[MSTRS]

If you look at most truck tank caps they either have no seal at all or one that patently doesn't work.



Also, the filler pipe tends to be quite short, meaning the cap is not high above the level of the tank (as they are in cars, for instance).

[cbfb]

Also in the event of an accident where the vehicle gets tipped/rolled, the fuel tank gets dumped all over the place.

That's why having a properly fitting fuel cap is a requirement for WOF.

[Ocean1]

Also, the filler pipe tends to be quite short, meaning the cap is not high above the level of the tank (as they are in cars, for instance).

'Strue. Don't explain why the bastards can't seal 'em up, every fookin' car is nowadays. No technical reason that I can think of, certainly nawt to do with the fuel return from the pump...

Keep 'em at the COF service supplier's place and charge 'em $100/day storage until they can demonstrate the system's tight.

Arseholes.

[kiwifruit]

40kph round a 2 lane jobbie (Queenstown Rd exit off Mangere Motorway)

Slow down Rossi

[Latte]

Slow down Rossi

There should be a smiley for that.

[Grubber]

Trucks are seldom the only the problem unfortunately.Ton's of diesel cars around now days that are often imports and have major pump issues with our diesel.
Most trucks have very good caps now days and seldom leak very much at all unless the cap has gone walkabouts, as they often do now and then.
A small amount that would be of no issue to a rider can look very large once a spot of rain hits it, but in reality that spot of diesel is not that big at all.

[Kiwi Graham]

http://www.acem.eu/cartoon/neweps/ep4/Nr04-EN-ACEM-online.pdf
:niceone:

[duckonin]

All roundabouts need care, lot's of rubber on the road, combine that with anything wet let alone a slippery wet one (oil):facepalm:

[slofox]

I quite like slippery wet ones...

[Mom]

What I'd like to know is...why? Do trucks not screw their fuel caps on properly or sommit?

Yepper. I have seen trails of diesel leading out from refuel points. Try wearing polarised lenses in your shades on a wet/damp day. Talk about scare the crap out of yourself :pinch:

When you see it *555 the location so the authorities can send someone to deal with the spillage. Then if you can find it easily enough, or even if you are sufficiently pissed off about having the crap scared out of you to go looking, write a letter to the fuel companies, the local trucking companies and the media. The more we shout out about this sort of shit the sooner we will start being taken seriously.

You can use this addy to help you...

http://www.mag-nz.org/campaigns/report-a-road

Honestly, I can not stress this strongly enough, shout out loud to be listened to!

[Spazman727]

Wonder how many accidents the fuel companies are responsible for???

Technically all of them really :innocent:

[Morcs]

good luck with the cleanup. last time i reported an oil spill, rang the council and got told it will be cleaned up within 7 working days. ha.

[cold comfort]

no one actually cares about diesel spills (even less about bikers). Nearly arsed up walking into the service station -attendants response?- "Oh, the buses leak all the time"

[SMOKEU]

no one actually cares about diesel spills (even less about bikers). Nearly arsed up walking into the service station -attendants response?- "Oh, the buses leak all the time"

That's why I ride with extreme caution in and around petrol stations.

[varminter]

good luck with that!

diesel spreads out a huge amount in a bit of moisture, even tiny drops can cover a palm sized area with ease. throwing a match on it will result in the match going out, its not petrol :)

Yes, I know. That's the last attempt at humor I'll make..until the next time.

[varminter]

I quite like slippery wet ones...

And you...behave yourself.

[duckonin]

I quite like slippery wet ones...

At your time of life they would be far and few between:innocent:getting older is a drag..:facepalm:

[slofox]

At your time of life they would be far and few between:innocent:getting older is a drag..:facepalm:

Don't be so sure of that either my friend...there are such things as younger women y'know...:devil2:

[Spazman727]

Don't be so sure of that either my friend...there are such things as younger women y'know...:devil2:

And you old/experienced bastards should stop stealing them. :p

[avgas]

Mounting points for a lot of tanks in on side, so weakest point of tank on side. Car/Truck go round roundabout, diesel move to edge - get outside crack and drop on road.
This is why they get you to ride in the right hand wheel mark behind car. As spills are more to middle (if it tracks on the outside of tank) or to the left side.
If we were in States, diesel spill would be on other-side......

[slofox]

And you old/experienced bastards should stop stealing them. :p

She stole ME!

[Spazman727]

She stole ME!

Haha, lucky bastard.

[MSTRS]

Mounting points for a lot of tanks in on side, so weakest point of tank on side. Car/Truck go round roundabout, diesel move to edge - get outside crack and drop on road.
This is why they get you to ride in the right hand wheel mark behind car. As spills are more to middle (if it tracks on the outside of tank) or to the left side.
If we were in States, diesel spill would be on other-side......

No it's not.
There are many reasons for this advice, but being seen/able to see are the biggies.

[st00ji]

Yes, I know. That's the last attempt at humor I'll make..until the next time.

haha, sorry! i fail at comprehension clearly :)