How to Tell if Water Is in Your Dirt Bike's Gas

Keep water out of the gas tank for optimal dirt bike performance.

Unless the station where you fill your tank has a serious problem, water in your gas means that water has built up in your gas tank. This can cause a variety of symptoms, such as engine choking, stalling and accelerated corrosion of the gas tank and engine parts. The sooner you can diagnose the problem, the better. The best way to determine if water is in your gas is to look at the gas in your tank.

Things You'll Need

• 2 5-foot rubber hoses
• 2-inch-wide clear plastic container

Instructions

1. Place the plastic container on the floor next to the dirt bike. If possible, ask a friend to hold the container steady.

2. Open the gas-tank cap and insert one end of a rubber hose into the tank. Extend the hose as far into the tank as possible to make sure that it is below the fuel level. Put the other end of this hose into the plastic container; this creates a path for the fuel.

3. Insert 2 inches of the second hose into the fuel tank and place your hand over the tank opening. Wedge your hand against the hose, but do not cinch it; this traps air in the gas tank.

4. Hold the hose that is inserted into the tank in a clenched fist and blow air into the opening. Use constant air pressure until gas begins flowing through the other hose and into the container. Remove the hose that you are holding in your hand from the fuel tank. Allow 2 inches (measured vertically) of fuel to flow into the container.

5. Raise the container above the level of the fuel tank carefully; this will stop the flow of gas out of the tank. Hold the hose as you move the container to prevent spills. Allow the gas to settle for five minutes.

6. Observe the gas in the container for consistency. Look for water, which separates as clear bubbles in the gas.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not work in direct sunlight, open flames or other flammable substances.

References

• Motorcycle Anchor: How to Deal with Rust in Your Motorcycle Gas Tank