Gas tank and no flow to the carbs after storage?

[guZzy92fs]

Hello guys and happy new year!

I have a 98' VLX and I have noticed something weird or maybe not so weird for all of you since I am kind of new to the motorcycle world.

This last week my bike was stored for around a week, yesterday I started it out and started just fine, but after a few minutes probably 3-4 minutes it shutted down, tried to start the bike and no luck. When I checked the fuel filter it was dry.

I opened the gas tank cap and I heard some air released from inside, like the vapors for the gas went out and fuel filter was full again, I try to start the bike like 2 more times and fires up with no issues.

Quesstion: Whas this problem caused by the pressure inside the tank?

Doesnt the tank have some breather to avoid this kind of problems?

My gas tank hole (where the gas tank cap goes in) Is kind of uneven and the fuel cap goes very tight in there, maybe the gas tank cap should seal that tight and I need to work out the hole?

Or all this is normal when yous tore your bike for some days under a weather cover?

Thanks a lot guys in advance and happy new year to you all!

[vonh]

Try start the bike with the gas cap open if that works then your breather hole is plugged. The bottom of your tank has 2 holes 1 for gas (large 1) other as a vent (small 1)

[Schattenreiter]

Not pressure but a vacuum. Your vent is restricted somehow. Gas cannot flow out with a vacuum on the tank. Find and clear the vent.

[herbyreed]

Originally Posted by Schattenreiter

Not pressure but a vacuum. Your vent is restricted somehow. Gas cannot flow out with a vacuum on the tank. Find and clear the vent.

Yep. There is a hose which comes off of the vent. Check your shop manual for location of hose and vent and trouble shooting of same.

[guZzy92fs]

I found out today while working on my bike that there is no fuel pump on my bike.. I dont know how i didnt notice it before. The tank is connected to a filter then to the carbs. I will order and install then try to fix the fuel cap vents. Thanks guys!


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[ZackDaniels]

It doesn't sound like this is the problem because it's started a couple times after dying, but just to put it out there. You turned the fuel back to ON after bringing it out of storage, right? Sorry if the suggestion is a bit offensive, but sometimes it's the simple stuff that really bites us.

[C.W.]

This parts diagram shows a fuel pump. ????

1998 Honda VT600CD A FUEL TANK | Babbitts Honda Parts House

[Scrapdog2grand]

I thought that bike had a pump as well, it has a breather vent tube also on the bottom of the tank.
spiders like those places (vents hose) to nest, enough to keep it from venting properly.

[guZzy92fs]

I checked the tank bottom and only a single hose comes out of it, there is a petcock and a knob that takes like three positions, i dont have a lever so i havent try turning it yet. No vents on the bottom. I can notice that the fuel cap is very tight on the bike, maybe the vents are on the cap? Im receiving the petcock lever this week and fit it on the weekend. I will make some pics for you guys.


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[CleoBen]

IIRC, the VLX does not have a vent on the tank itself - it vents through the fuel cap. Not sure how that could get gummed up while in storage, though.

I can't find my shop manual to verify though. Think I sent it with the bike when I sold it.

CB