vented vs. non-vented gas caps

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:23 am

My buddy does not have a vented gas cap and I am having vapor lock issues. I have been looking online for a vented gas cap and not really having much luck finding anything.

Can anyone tell me where to get one or if I can turn it into a vented cap myself? Thanks!

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:32 am

Do you have a drill?
I'm doing a search to find the pictorial on how to vent the gas cap.
It's simple; just requires drilling 2 small holes.

here's one: viewtopic.php?t=15318&highlight=drilling+gas+cap

Some say the problem is from over-filling the tank. That may be true, but I assure you, I top mine off all the time and ride in hot, hot temps. I have over 28,000 miles and haven't had a "vapor lock" issue since drilling the cap.

spr0k3t · Post by **spr0k3t** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:43 am

Two ways...

1. Buy the replacement from the dealership
2. Make your own

Use a tiny drillbit to do it. I don't know what the unvented cap looks like, so I can't really suggest a good place to drill.

Edit: Scott beat me to it...

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:09 am

Done! Lets see if I can at least make it to the dealership to get it checked out tomorrow! I wonder if that will solve all my problems! Doubtful but a girl can certainly hope!

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:51 am

On some bikes, those 2 little holes totally fix the problem.

Oparu · Post by **Oparu** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:52 am

I was also having vapor lock issues and bought a vented gas cap for about $15 the last time I went for an oil change. No more vapor lock.

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:11 am

When I first started riding I had some vapor lock problems. After finding out what it was, I started regularly popping the gas cap off before riding, every time, to release any vacuum. That worked and I didn't have any problems for a very long time.

Then one *extremely* windy day early this spring, I was hit with gusts harder than I've ever felt before, and it seemed to cause instant vapor lock. I just happened to be on the way to my dealer to buy something else, so while I was there, they gave me a vented cap from one of their 50cc Buddies. Apparently they don't come vented with the 150s. My guess it is because of fuel regulations being different for a "motorcycle".

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:50 pm

I had a few more problems than just the gas cap-- I had a leak in the manifold boot which was causing some of the popping sounds on deceleration, the air filter tube wasn't hooked up, and I had a vacuum leak. I still have a bit of the surging issues but I am going to change the rollers and see if that makes a difference.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:19 pm

When I was having vapor/vacuum lock issues it was suggested to me, by the people at Genuine, to ride with the cap loose for a day of two to see if it alleviated the issue. When it did, and I 'reported' this to my contact person, I was sent a vented cap free of charge. (It even arrived with a box of lemon heads in the package)

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:25 am

I've been having trouble with mine for a while now similar to Roscoe's situation. Since November of last year, I've had trouble keeping speed--especially after I hit 45 mph, the scooter engine just stops running; I've also smelled gas when this happens. It happened again today even after I paid for a new battery. My repair guy came to the conclusion that it was a vapor lock and had me put on a vented gas cap; I was able to go home safely. My question: will the vented cap make any difference, and if it happens again, should I have him check the fuel pump and lines?

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:39 am

KABarash wrote:When I was having vapor/vacuum lock issues it was suggested to me, by the people at Genuine, to ride with the cap loose for a day of two to see if it alleviated the issue. When it did, and I 'reported' this to my contact person, I was sent a vented cap free of charge. (It even arrived with a box of lemon heads in the package)

I talked to them a few years ago, and they told me what they did with their caps. I imagine it was an EPA thing in the states. I drilled two tiny holes on top and bottom of the cap. No more problems. Stupid problem and it happened to me. Had my Buddy towed and had to call in that day at work. Boss was not amused. F*ck him, I don't work there anymore.

And yeah, they always send candy. Nice touch.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:58 am

Gaby Brillante wrote:My question: will the vented cap make any difference, and if it happens again, should I have him check the fuel pump and lines?

The answer(s) - (1) A vented cap may make a difference, IF you are having a tank venting issue. (2) Your scooter does not have a fuel pump.

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:58 am

Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:My question: will the vented cap make any difference, and if it happens again, should I have him check the fuel pump and lines?
The answer(s) - (1) A vented cap may make a difference, IF you are having a tank venting issue. (2) Your scooter does not have a fuel pump.

Yes Dooglas, but everybody that owns a Buddy should vent. FFS it is a problem. Let them vent.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:19 am

KrispyKreme wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:My question: will the vented cap make any difference, and if it happens again, should I have him check the fuel pump and lines?
The answer(s) - (1) A vented cap may make a difference, IF you are having a tank venting issue. (2) Your scooter does not have a fuel pump.
Yes Dooglas, but everybody that owns a Buddy should vent. FFS it is a problem. Let them vent.

Thanks, Krispy.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:20 am

KrispyKreme wrote:
KABarash wrote:When I was having vapor/vacuum lock issues it was suggested to me, by the people at Genuine, to ride with the cap loose for a day of two to see if it alleviated the issue. When it did, and I 'reported' this to my contact person, I was sent a vented cap free of charge. (It even arrived with a box of lemon heads in the package)
I talked to them a few years ago, and they told me what they did with their caps. I imagine it was an EPA thing in the states. I drilled two tiny holes on top and bottom of the cap. No more problems. Stupid problem and it happened to me. Had my Buddy towed and had to call in that day at work. Boss was not amused. F*ck him, I don't work there anymore.

And yeah, they always send candy. Nice touch.

Candy?

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:22 am

Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:My question: will the vented cap make any difference, and if it happens again, should I have him check the fuel pump and lines?
The answer(s) - (1) A vented cap may make a difference, IF you are having a tank venting issue. (2) Your scooter does not have a fuel pump.

Oh. Right.

But I would like to know why it took so long to have this issue. Doesn't make much sense to me that it's happening now.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:46 pm

Gaby Brillante wrote:But I would like to know why it took so long to have this issue. Doesn't make much sense to me that it's happening now.

It is not clear that you do have a tank venting issue - the OP of this thread was having other problems as it turned out. As was pointed out above by KABarash, try loosening your fuel cap. If your problem goes away, you have a tank venting issue. If it doesn't, you have a different problem(s).

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:43 pm

I had no problems for years. Then I started to have problems. Venting the cap helped for a while. Then it happened again. My scooter went through a series of stalls/backfires/and wheezes over a period of days. Then there was a stall and big bang! I turned the scooter off and it continued to cough and wheeze for a minute or two even though it was completely off and the key was out of the ignition.

After that conniption fit, the scooter has been well behaved since. That was about 8 months ago. The MPG sucked for 2 tanks after the fit, but now it has returned to normal.

Who knows what the problem was? I suspect it had to do with venting though.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 5:56 pm

Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:But I would like to know why it took so long to have this issue. Doesn't make much sense to me that it's happening now.
It is not clear that you do have a tank venting issue - the OP of this thread was having other problems as it turned out. As was pointed out above by KABarash, try loosening your fuel cap. If your problem goes away, you have a tank venting issue. If it doesn't, you have a different problem(s).

Well, I'll try it.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:03 pm

I had mine vented after it crapped out on me a few times on high speed roads.

My wife's brand new one did the same. removing the cap helped. so I asked my local shop to vent it, which they did for free. I owe them beer.

worked wonderfully so far.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:03 pm

k1dude wrote:I had no problems for years. Then I started to have problems. Venting the cap helped for a while. Then it happened again. My scooter went through a series of stalls/backfires/and wheezes over a period of days. Then there was a stall and big bang! I turned the scooter off and it continued to cough and wheeze for a minute or two even though it was completely off and the key was out of the ignition.

After that conniption fit, the scooter has been well behaved since. That was about 8 months ago. The MPG sucked for 2 tanks after the fit, but now it has returned to normal.

Who knows what the problem was? I suspect it had to do with venting though.

I see. Well, I'm going to take it out today and see what happens. Maybe it's just "throwing a tantrum" like yours did.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:06 pm

skully93 wrote:I had mine vented after it crapped out on me a few times on high speed roads.

My wife's brand new one did the same. removing the cap helped. so I asked my local shop to vent it, which they did for free. I owe them beer.

worked wonderfully so far.

Well, skully, I will take your word for it. Hopefully venting will work.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:23 pm

Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:But I would like to know why it took so long to have this issue. Doesn't make much sense to me that it's happening now.
It is not clear that you do have a tank venting issue - the OP of this thread was having other problems as it turned out. As was pointed out above by KABarash, try loosening your fuel cap. If your problem goes away, you have a tank venting issue. If it doesn't, you have a different problem(s).

It can't hurt anything to give it a try. I had my buddy several month or a year when it started, don't know why. Haven't had the slightest inkling of a problem since.

Gaby Brillante · Post by **Gaby Brillante** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:40 pm

KABarash wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
Gaby Brillante wrote:But I would like to know why it took so long to have this issue. Doesn't make much sense to me that it's happening now.
It is not clear that you do have a tank venting issue - the OP of this thread was having other problems as it turned out. As was pointed out above by KABarash, try loosening your fuel cap. If your problem goes away, you have a tank venting issue. If it doesn't, you have a different problem(s).
It can't hurt anything to give it a try. I had my buddy several month or a year when it started, don't know why. Haven't had the slightest inkling of a problem since.

Thanks, KAB. I just got home from running a errand and it went okay. Tomorrow will be the big test.

Modern Buddy

vented vs. non-vented gas caps

vented vs. non-vented gas caps

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