Gas cap leak

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2thread
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Gas cap leak

#1

Post by 2thread »

Hi Guys
Was wondering if any of you have problems with gas caps leaking on your tanks when riding down the road?
Have had my panhead for 37 years, and never had a problem unless I over filled gas tank and used the jiffy stand.
Lately I have noticed gas stains on tanks, blowing from caps.
I have rubber gaskets on caps, instead of cork.
Any ideas would be great help. Thanks
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Re: Gas cap leak

#2

Post by old.wrench »

2thread,
Some of the guys are using viton rubber gaskets which isn't attacked quite as bad as the regular rubber ones by today's "gas".
I have some pretty good sized pieces of real thick leather that I've been cutting my gas cap gaskets out of. After I cut them to size I warm them up and treat them with an oil and grease mixture that soaks in real good. Last summer's "gas" was puffing up my rubber gaskets enough to choke off the vent in the cap, so I switched over to the leather gaskets and they've been doing fine. There's really nothing new about using leather, they use to use it back in the "olden days" :) .

Geo.
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Re: Gas cap leak

#3

Post by blewcrab »

I had same problem , ended up using 2 rubber gaskets on each gas cap . now it ok if I don't overfill . u do what u gotta do !
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Re: Gas cap leak

#4

Post by Panacea »

does your gasket cover the vent hole?
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Re: Gas cap leak

#5

Post by PanRider »

Where do you get the rubber gaskets?
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Re: Gas cap leak

#6

Post by old.wrench »

panrider,
There was (will be?) a vendor at the Wauseon selling ones made from Viton.
You can also purchase Viton in sheet form and cut your own. You can buy the material in various thickness and size sheets from a source such as McMaster-Carr. The ones I saw for sale at Wauseon were 1/16" thick, as I recall.

Geo.
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Re: Gas cap leak

#7

Post by Panacea »

I used some rubber gaskets on my 64, very difficult to remove the caps now...Mike
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Re: Gas cap leak

#8

Post by panhog »

Mine were leaking on my "64. Have a sheet of cork material. Cut some gaskets out of that and have not had leaking problems anymore.
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Re: Gas cap leak

#9

Post by 58flh »

2thread----I use leather as GEORGE mentioned!--Been on there since my right tank started to leak!/4yrs ago!When I looked at the rubber THERE WAS NOWAY to make them seal.I used GOOD thin leather & made Perfectly shaped gaskets to the cap where they will be living!.I do however dry them FAST with a blowdryer/heatgun whatevers close at the time & I treat them Heavily with -(GLYCERIN),Its not hard to get.I let the Glycerin sit on them overnight!--This is enuff time for the now dried leather to soak-up what it will take.I then run a dry rag & take excess off/some slim coat of wheel-bering grease & Im leak free & can overfill & still no leaks.GEO---my POP showed me that when I was a youngbuck!15 & knew it all! :lol: ---Personaly I think a good grade FINE LEATHER Makes for a better seal then the Viton ones that will be coming out!/I mean Theres always changes in the additives of our P-4 corn gas!It changes every year/& gets more corrosive!.If you guys got mechanics that wrench on cages Just ask them How many FUELPUMP & LINE related issues they have changed!--The Injecters get eat-up to.---Respectfully----Richie
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Re: Gas cap leak

#10

Post by 2thread »

Guys
Thanks for your input.
I think I'll try some leather gas cap gaskets and see how things work out.
Thank again
2thread
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Re: Gas cap leak

#11

Post by 58flh »

2-thread----If you don't want to wait for the Glycerin, Vaseline will work in a pinch!/Don't know how long it will fight the P-4 but as soon as you fill-up & see a leak!/Now you will know the time frame!,--If you remember Let us know how Long the Vaseline held-up/--Many thanks----Richie
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