Ok, a friend of mine has an 02 Heritage. It sat for a couple of years before he got it. He took it to the dealer to be looked over and make sure everything was good. About a week after he got it back from the dealer it wouldn't start. He took it back to the dealer, new battery and fuel pump. Gets the bike back and within two weeks it develops a gas leak around the bottom left side of the console. Back to the dealer. The dealer has had it for two months and can't fix it. They are telling him that since it sat so long it ruined the tank. I have never heard of such. Any of you buying that line? They are going to return it to him on Saturday. Needless to say he's not happy.

I've done a search here on the forum for him once before and found what I thought might be the fix, now I can't find that thread again. (pointing finger at myself) not the sharpest at searching the forum.

If anyone remembers the link or has knowledge of how to correct this problem, I would greatly appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.
I'm just trying to help a brother out.

Thanks in advance,
RB

 

The leak sounds like they neglected to use a new gaskets and screws on the cover plate for the fuel pump.

As far as the fuel pump issue, I do not know but i did ride a 2002 softail for 80K miles and the issue that I had with that part of the bike was the fuel line off the fuel pump in the tank developed a pin hole that would cause the bike to run erratically. I had to replace the in tank fuel line twice.

Logic would dictate that since they messed with the fuel pump and were unable to get the gasket to seal properly on top that they probably screwed something up with the pump. I might advise your friend to find a new shop.

 

Actually, they tried several new gaskets and fasteners and managed to slow the leak but not stop it. I do agree that they screwed something up changing the fuel pump.

Maybe it's something simple that they missed. I can't believe that the tank would "go bad" from just sitting.
(keep in mind that he had fuel pump and lines replaced before it started leaking)

And yes, it is definitely time for him to find a new wrench. Unfortunately, kinda limited on what we have available here.

 

Sounds a little funny to me , if it wasn't leaking prior to them replacing the pump, now it is leaking.


What did they say happened to the tank while it was sitting to cause this problem?


If nothing is bent or rusted at the pump cover and they are using a new gasket and hardware, it shouldn't leak.... period.


I would want them to show me what happened to the tank or cover while it was sitting. If they did nothing wrong, they should be happy to show you the damage that happened while the bike was sitting.


I wouldn't let then off the hook if they damaged something they need to step up to the plate, if not, then your buddy is going to have to take it to someone who can fix the problem.

 

I have an '03 Ultra that I bought in '11 with 2k miles. In '13 I had to replace the quick connect because it was leaking. There are many threads on this. My indy replaced the in tank line with a shorter one, because the '03 OEM was known to be too long, and rub against the tank and develop pinholes.
I was told by Northern Lights Harley to store my bike for Winter with minimal gas in it, so you can dilute it with fresh gas in the Spring. When I asked if the tank would rust, he said it was plastic lined. I still fill up with non- ethanol premium, and Stabil.
Last year I brought my bike in for service and it was stored at Sauk Prairie HD. I had to rush to get there before it closed and only had an eighth of a tank, which is how they stored it. No issues in Spring.
Even if his tank is rusted, can't they replace it? Is NIB available or salvage parts?

 

Moisture inside a fuel tank can lead to corossion and become a problem, especially during long storage. Unless its rotted completly out the inside of a tank can be cleaned and recoated. It blows me away the service department would keep the bike for two months without giving him some options like recoating it or replacing the tank. If I was your friend Id go in there and tell the srevice mgr what a sorry b'tard he is and take it elsewhere. rant over

 

First, thanks for all the input.
Last Saturday they delivered his bike back to him. I stopped by the dealership and talked to the service manager. It took a little bit of prodding to get info out of him but I managed. (this is information that they did not give my friend) I found out that they had pressure tested the tank and determined it to be leaking around three fasteners. They can't fix it with parts off the shelf therefore, to release themselves of liability, it's "ruined".
I'm currently talking with a couple of old school mechanics trying to come up with a solution to give my buddy time to save up for a new tank.

His bike will never go back to that service department and unfortunately that means it won't go to the next dealer over either as one is a satellite for the other. So, I've already told him, buy the book. (I actually told him that when he got the bike) So, it looks like he and I are going to get real good at being more mechanically inclined than we already are.

If I come up with a solution I'll update this thread (hopefully with pictures) .

Thanks again for all the advice.
RB

 

That being said, why not buy some sealant and try that as a fix? I only know of this because I have a 7 gallon tank I bought raw going on my bike. It has been pressure tested so hopefully I will have no problems. Best of luck!!!

 

My thoughts as well. I would put some sealant where the gasket goes and make sure to put extra where the screw holes are. Good luck.

 

It sounds as if three screw holes got buggered up in their vain attempt to "fix" the tank. If you can find a machine/sheetmetal shop to install an item called a PEM nut of the proper size in the three holes, the tank may be saved. Tanks are widely available on eBay. Good luck!