XS1100SG fuel sender leaking.

[jetmechmarty]

My fuel sender leaks. Advice on the xS11 forum says smear it with tank sealer. There are two listed on eBay. One for $400 and the other is $300. I’d rather not. I ordered a new seal. The sender leaks where the wire passes through.

Maybe some sort of sealant? I think it worthwhile to run it by this panel of experts.

 

[GLJ]

I would clean it well and use Yahmabond #4.

 

[Jim]

Smear it with J B Weld?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Smear it with J B Weld?

I had an experience with JB Weld proving it not gasoline proof.

 

[Jim]

Bad batch maybe? I've used it...even immersed in fuel... many times over the years. It's always worked.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Bad batch maybe? I've used it...even immersed in fuel... many times over the years. It's always worked.

I bought my XS11, unbeknownst to me, with a carburetor post secured with JB. It failed, the airbox flooded, I hit the start button and the bike burst into flames. My daughter was there and quick with the fire bottle. She ripped it right off the wall and saved my bike!

 

[grizld1]

I can understand that you'd be put off by that near catastrophy, to say the least! But my guess is that the guy who cemented the float post used JB Quick, which isn't fuel proof. When it comes to the original formula slow cure JB, my experience matches Jim's. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

 

[jetmechmarty]

They have this at my local Tractor Supply. I'll pick it up this afternoon. I ordered a new gasket as the old one looks OK, but it's over 40 years old. Not in stock OE parts take a lot of patience. They often take many weeks.

 

[gggGary]

I can understand that you'd be put off by that near catastrophy, to say the least! But my guess is that the guy who cemented the float post used JB Quick, which isn't fuel proof. When it comes to the original formula slow cure JB, my experience matches Jim's. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

I did that thing on a radian I sold on (original JB weld) but was cringing as I took the guys money.............
The radian carbs are NOTORIOUS for stuck float pins.
Got em all freed up without breaking a post on Allison's Radian.

 

[gggGary]

I'd use a thinner two part epoxy, like tank liner?
XJ11 Fished around with a hook through the gas cap and got the sender to register on the panel for a bit. Suspect the float is loose on the rod or just varnished up wires in the sender box. Was riding off some of the fuel in the tank before surgery. Not anxious cuz carbs need a good look inside also.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I did that thing on a radian I sold on (original JB weld) but was cringing as I took the guys money.............
The radian carbs are NOTORIOUS for stuck float pins.
Got em all freed up without breaking a post on Allison's Radian.

A friend of mine had this problem on his GS850. His bike caught fire while he was riding it. He tried outrunning the flames. He ended up pulling off and watching the bike burn to the ground. I take fuel leaks seriously.

 

[xjwmx]

The seal you bought isn't a factory replacement seal?

 

[gggGary]

The seal you bought isn't a factory replacement seal?

It's not the seal, it's the terminal post that's leaking.

 

[gggGary]

Reset the rivet?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Suspect the float is loose on the rod or just varnished up wires in the sender box

The XS11 Special has a thermistor that turns a red light on when it goes dry. It's the "switch to reserve now" light.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Reset the rivet?

I'm just going to stop up the leak with JB Tank Weld. I may reinstall without a new gasket rather than have the bike out of commission for a month or more. We shall see.

 

[jetmechmarty]

The seal you bought isn't a factory replacement seal?

I ordered a factory replacement seal for reinstallation. It's a rubber seal. I'm not confident in the original that has been installed since 1979.

 

[xjwmx]

It's not the seal, it's the terminal post that's leaking.

Reset the rivet?

If it's leaking around the rivet, what about using a screw as a terminal post. Then fiber washer under the regular washer for the nut.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Reset the rivet?

I think I should leave it alone rather than risk breaking it. I have a half dozen recommendations to use sealant. None on how to fix it. I did the thread at XS11.club. It's very slow over there.

 

[jetmechmarty]

If it's leaking around the rivet, what about using a screw as a terminal post. Then fiber washer under the regular washer for the nut.

If I do that, I still have to use sealant. As it stands, the switch is functioning.