Help please. May have water in tank. 1/8/06

[crashe]

I think I may have water in my tank..... (due to Westgate Shell garage re-doing their huge petrol storage tanks).

It was running fine before refueling up there on the long ride up to Russell.
From Westgate to Whangarei it was running rough.
I refuelled at Whangarei and it ran sweet for the rest of the day.

But since being back it has done it again - running rough.

At times it seems to run rough and has died at odd times when I pull up to stop. She starts up first thing, no worries.

My Virago has a 9.5 litre tank and the bike runs on 91.

I have read somewhere in one of these threads on KB that you add in something to the tank.... and that helps clear it out...

What is it that is added and how much do I put in?

Do I put it in before I refill up the tank or after it is filled up?
Or can it be done when the tank is half full?

My spark plugs were changed 10,000km ago... but will also go and buy some new ones (2 x $6 each).

Thanks in advance for all your help.


PS: Yes I did do a search, but damned if I could find any of the posts relating to my question.

[GR81]

whatever you do, try and hit Shell up for the cost of repairs.

ma mate did that with his Lancer, but it was sludge and not water.
BP footed the bill i think.

[Lou Girardin]

The best way is to remove the tank and clean it out. The second best way is to remove the fuel line and drain it till only fuel is running out. (Do the carbs too, they should have drain plugs on the float chamber). The third best is to add a litre of meths and fill the tank. The meths will absorb water if there's not too much of it and it'll run it through the system and out the exhaust.

[crashe]

The best way is to remove the tank and clean it out. The second best way is to remove the fuel line and drain it till only fuel is running out. (Do the carbs too, they should have drain plugs on the float chamber). The third best is to add a litre of meths and fill the tank. The meths will absorb water if there's not too much of it and it'll run it through the system and out the exhaust.

Thanks Lou, much appreciated.



So third option is cheaper....

So I add the meths in FIRST (at the garage) then top the tank up with fuel?

[Biohazard]

Think ya right read this link Water in Bikers tank in Hamilton

[Macktheknife]

Sounds like your all sorted then.

[ManDownUnder]

1) Open the tank
2) Light a match
3) Wait for really loud (and hot) bang
4) Tip out the remaining water

Or you can open the wee drain screw on the bottom of your carb... and let the water out.

Water (bring heavier than petrol) collects at the lowest point, and is usually trapped in the carb bowl. That's what the wee screw is for.

Word of warning - do it cold. If you do it with a hot motor... you'll probably be ok... or you could end up with step 3 above
MDU
PS don't worry about going Shell about it... the stress and time it worth more than the 5 minutes to drain it....

[skidMark]

1) PS don't worry about going Shell about it... the stress and time it worth more than the 5 minutes to drain it....

5 mins more like 20-30 seconds..

[ManDownUnder]

5 mins more like 20-30 seconds..

I was including finding, polishing and returning the screwdriver

[crashe]

cheers guys......

but I um dont know where those other things that you mentioned are on my um bike...
Yeah I know time I learnt...
but it seems easier and cheaper to put in the meths......


Oh and MDU... I will put a lighter to your baby........


Ok Im going to find my little Owners manual book that I have...
but I reckon it wont tell me enough of what Im to do.

[ManDownUnder]

cheers guys......

but I um dont know where those other things that you mentioned are on my um bike...
Yeah I know time I learnt...
but it seems easier and cheaper to put in the meths......

#23 is the jobbie you seek (bottom right corner of image)

If I'm reading this right... stand on the left side of the bike.

Where the fuel hose (#26) connects to the carb, there is a wee screw at the bottom of the carb.

Turn your fuel off at the fuel selector, open the wee screw and let it drain out into a glass.

You should see some water at the bottom of the fluid that comes out.

Do the screw up again

Put your fual selector onto reserve and go for a ride... just around home.

Let the bike cool and repeat the whole thing.

Hopefully no more water comes out.

[MrMelon]

Can't you just chuck a cup of meths in the tank and let it run through without draining anything, or is that bad?

[crashe]

#23 is the jobbie you seek (bottom right corner of image)

If I'm reading this right... stand on the left side of the bike.

Where the fuel hose (#26) connects to the carb, there is a wee screw at the bottom of the carb.

Turn your fuel off at the fuel selector, open the wee screw and let it drain out into a glass.

You should see some water at the bottom of the fluid that comes out.

Do the screw up again

Put your fual selector onto reserve and go for a ride... just around home.

Let the bike cool and repeat the whole thing.

Hopefully no more water comes out.

cheers mate...... will print it out to see if I can do it...
otherwise it will be the meths method....

[paturoa]

some carbs have a tube from the float bowl bottom screw that will drain out around your swing arm (obviously the other end of the tube)

If it does then just back out the screw a couple of turns and catch the fuel in something so you can check for water.

[skidMark]

if you like crashe i can just come round tommorrow night and drain yer carby for ya tommorrow avo after work.....

pm me your address if your keen ( i forgot where you are exactly lol)