Scooter smells like gas even when its off? By neva (Read 9,357 times)

[neva]

Hi, I purchased a brand new 4 stroke 50 cc scooter a month ago, and I store it in my garage when I'm not using it. I've recently noticed that its making my garage and whole basement smell like gas also even when its not in use. I bought it to take to work everyday, and one of the security guys told me that I could no longer park it on the bike rack we have at work (I work at a hospital) because patients were complaining that it smelled of gas. I've browsed the forum a bit and only saw a thread where someone said that his scooter smelled like gas but it was also stalling everytime it idled, so I wasnt sure if I should follow the same instructions as you guys gave him to fix his issue. This is my first vehicle whatsoever, but my father has owned motorcycles his whole life so I'm gonna ask him to assist me in doing whatever you guys suggest. thanks!

[Bashan]

It is probably the gas vapor canister. It's a pollution device that just doesn't work very well on most scooters.

Coming off of the gas tank on top or on the spout will be a smallish vent line that will run to a check valve and then to a black plastic canister about 6 to 8" long.

There will be a couple larger hoses coming off of the bottom and a smallish vacuum line probably coming off of the top.

Remove the vent line from the check valve and tie it off several inches higher than the top level of gas in the tank, you can also put a vertical loop in it at the end as a vapor dam. Gas vapors sink so as long as you keep the end higher than the gas the vapors will stay in the tank. A filter on the end is a good idea to keep dirt out.

One of the larger hoses will run to the airbox or somewhere before the carb. Cut that hose and put a stopper in it, make sure there's no leaks.

The vacuum line will run to the intake manifold or hook onto a line that does. You can remove the vacuum line from the canister or cut it and put a stopper in it (no leaks!).

You can now remove the canister and pitch it, you might want to save whatever hoses are left for spares. Rich

[sprocket]

Also check or fuel leaks from the tank etc...if it is dripping at a rate slower than 2 drips a minute you will never see it...it just stinks like crazy

[jct842]

I went through the gas fumes bit with my riva not too long ago. If it sat for a couple months the gas tank went empty. Never a drop of gas anywhere. Turned out the petcock was leaking on the bottom of the tank. It leaked out so slow not a drop ever dripped. Found it with some tissue while I was probing the under side of the tank that I removed to find the leak. Tissue changes color if it gets wet. I could have used a match but my life insurance wasn't paid up to date!

[neva]

thanks guys, It turns out it was the gas filter was cracked, but it wasnt visible. luckily a drop leaked out one morning just as i was about to start it up and i noticed it came from the gas filter, which i then replaced and it was running fine for a week, but now it has a totally different issue. I really appreciate your suggestions guys. I'm new to this scooter thing but I'm gonna make a new thread about my new issue and I'm praying to god you guys can help me and I didnt just waste 900 dollars. ugh