after >3 years of trouble-free blasting, the MFP12 has developed a strange fuel leak....
I spotted a few drops of fuel under the bike a couple of weeks ago, and could smell fuel. Didn't worry about it too much, as I had just filled up and figured it must be a bit of overflow....
Well after a few days, and a fuel guage that was dropping more rapidly than usual
, it was time to have a bit of a captain cook under the tank...The obvious culprit was the fuel-gauge sender unit. On the 12's, its easy to get to when the tank is lifted - and I could see a where all the fuel was leaking from the gasket.....or so I thought.....
Got a new gasket and fitted it last week..........and the fuckin' fuel leak was still there !!
....Time for another look...Upon *real* close inspection, it appears that the fuel leak is actually coming from behind the actual flange surface that the gasket sits on - the fuel gauge sender unit is bolted to a square flange surface, but the hole going into the tank is round, and the flange sits about 3mm proud of the actual body of the tank. When the tank was held up, the fuel leak is just dribbling along the entire lower length of the flange....but coming from behind it....
It looks to me like the weld or fitting that holds the flange fitting into the body of the tank, has either cracked or fractured in some way......what a pain in the arse. I have no problems with the old dungers leaving a spot on the ground, but a 2005 model ?? No way.
Watch this space - I have hit up the local dealer with the tale of woe, and they want the bike in this week to inspect it - even though its out of warranty - I would hope that a replacement tank is in order.
