Engine stalls at low rpm if fuel topped off

[dagerber]

I have a 2000 K1200 LT. It works perfectly except lately when I fuel up. When I top off the gas tank it stalls out at low RPM until I use up the first 3/4 gallon of gas, then it works fine again. I loosened the gas cap to see if it might be a vaccume issue, but no change. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[joegottberg]

Sure sounds liek a vacuum issue to me.

I've never had this particular problem, but, have you tried the cap "removed", obviously for testing only.

It could be the charcol cannister is plug needign a "cannister-ectomy". There is a good procedure on this site.

Joe

[smithbs]

I have had this issue.

There is a charcol filter air line of some sort that fills up with gas, when you overfill the tank.

When your at the gas station and pumping gas and it fills up, it's full. You can keep pumping a bit more into it and the level drops each time, which seems like your really filling it up all the way right...but no its draining through this charcol line.

Try putting the pump in and stopping when the pump stops no matter if you think she will hold just a bit more!

[Lee510]

Welcome to the forum, Doug. Always fill with the bike on the sidestand and stop adding fuel when it's at or just below the nozzle guide ring. After a fuel stop, my 2K stumbles on first thumb of starter. Doesn't want to run at all. A release of the starter, then push it again, and it runs like a clock. I'm not sure why it does this, but another member told me they all do it.

[dshealey]

You have already been given the answer, I just want to add my comment that you should NEVER fill it above the guide ring that the nozzle goes through. That is to insure the proper airspace above the fuel in the tank to prevent overfilling, which can force raw fuel into the charcoal cannister, which is meant to only see fuel vapor. Raw fuel in the cannister causes very rich running until it is purged by the engine vacuum pulling air back through the cannister and into the intake to clear the charcoal of it's liquid. The cannister is meant to absorb fuel vapors for emmissions control when the bike is not running, and when the purge valve opens when the engine is running the vacuum draws air back through it to pull the vapor out and burn it in the engine. Raw fuel destroys the mixture control until cleared.

Also, if enough fuel gets into the cannister it can cause it to clog up, then nasty things happen, like vacuum collapsing the tank, running the engine very lean, and bending the fuel level sender float tube.

[dagerber]

Thank you to everyone who replied. You were very helpful. I have been over filling my tank and it seems I clogged the cannister. I removed the canister, filled up the bike and it is running perfectly again. Thanks for your help.

Doug

[cfell]

Yup.. I had this very thing happen.... even stopped on me, on the highway yesterday as I approached a traffic light.. yeah, I was upset... fuel mileage also dropped... so, off with her skirt....again.

[Jburwell]

I removed the canister, filled up the bike and it is running perfectly again.
Doug

With my CLC, when they put in the comm system, they broke (I think) the canister at the hose. They hot glue the hose onto the canister. I was getting ready for a trip and pull the comm wire (long story) and broke the hose off. The bike would not start. Close off the end of the hose and it started. Open it back up and it would not start. Fix, then replace the canister.

It sound like the LT is different that the CLC.

[Bobnoxous]

Hmm, could the GT have this problem too? My bike hesitates at about 2200 RPM. I was thinking it might be the air filter, but maybe it's this charcoal filter.

[dagerber]

Possibly so, you might test it by taking the gas cap off and see if it makes a difference.