Do dealers drain fuel?

[Davidtav]

It crossed my mind that bikes in dealers are often left for long periods. And if there is stale fuel left in the system surely this might cause issues. So do dealers drain the fuel?  Does anyone know? Also there would potentially be a fire hazard I would think.  Bit of a random question I know. But it was puzzling me. And I thought that someone on here would probably know. 

[husoi]

I would be surprised if they do.

You're lucky if they service the bike before handing it over

[Gerontious]

It wouldn’t matter to me. But then I’m really quite fussy where I buy from. And I would never buy remotely. I know some people don’t have the choice. But I just wouldn’t.

 

if there was a problem like bad fuel - this would become obvious very quickly. And what do you do?

 

you walk away.

 

because what does this demonstrate? Zero preparation for sale - that’s what. And if they can’t be bothered with something like that?  Bye.

 

but if they say something like. We need to prepare it. Then demand that it’s cold when you come back. One of the best tests of a bike… is how it starts from cold. This will also demonstrate the state of the fuel and how good their prep was - especially if this is a bike that’s been on the showroom floor for more than 3 months.

Edited September 25, 2024 by Gerontious

[AstronautNinja]

I can't imagine they do. It's something I would consider then buying a bike and for me to address accordingly. 

 

Very similar to buying a car. I presume the dealer had lied about the "pre sale service" and drop the oil regardless. 

 

I'd suggest a quick check of the dip stick if you suspect fvckery. If they're claiming oil change etc I'm expecting a clean ISH wipe of the dip stick. 

[AstronautNinja]

I also judge the price of said vehicle keeping into account I'll need to change oil / clean the carbs if I suspect it's been sat any length of time 

 

Many of these aspects don't apply to cars but something I'd keep in mind for bike buys 

[RideWithStyles]

There is a difference to new bikes (barely a ltr just to factory check and move it) and used ones at dealers (fuel of unknown age or if little to no contamination) to those independent business sellers or traders -it  varied but more than likely worse as with age and conditions.

 

The best thing if you have the choice or option is to let a trusted mechanic near you do a full and thorough inspection/service after you bought it if you was that concerned, but on the other thought then if your that concerned don’t buy it from them in the first place.

 

most of the time the bike will have a bare minimum inside as people run the fuel down before selling it(or they should if the choice), then when the dealer sells it it will either have the same fuel or they’ll just add a bit just so it has some fresh hydrocarbons to get it to start and the next fuel station that the new owner will have to do.

very few will actually drain and replace unless something has happened to require work -if they actually check before putting on sale or at pdi time…

[Simon Davey]

If you're picking up a bike from the dealer, take a bottle of this with you. It really is superb! By the time you get home it will have added that needed zing to the fuel. 

I use it in my petrol grounds maintenance tools for leaving over winter, and I can pretty much guarantee they'll start first pull come the spring. I also put it in my bike, but didn't need to because I couldn't leave it it alone for long enough

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-fuel-additive-250ml/9631x

Edited September 25, 2024 by Simon Davey

[Davidtav]

Here’s the thing. And the reason for the question. And you can all laugh. It is fine. 
 

So I sold my bike last year. And it stood in the showroom for a couple of months. And I’ve recently noticed it is for sale again. Up with another dealer and presumably stuck in another showroom. … and I was worrying about my old bike lol. Yeah ridiculous I know. I’m not even the immediately previous owner.  

[Simon Davey]

16 minutes ago, Davidtav said:

Here’s the thing. And the reason for the question. And you can all laugh. It is fine. 
 

So I sold my bike last year. And it stood in the showroom for a couple of months. And I’ve recently noticed it is for sale again. Up with another dealer and presumably stuck in another showroom. … and I was worrying about my old bike lol. Yeah ridiculous I know. I’m not even the immediately previous owner.  

 

Nothing to laugh about, just shows you're a decent person. 

[RideWithStyles]

Just shows you grown attachments to it and difficult to let go, I’ll assume you don’t have enough space to become a horder? At least that’s one good thing. .

 

bikes do get shifted, bought and sold between traders so that’s one reason it could/will move around different places.

Edited September 26, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[Davidtav]

3 hours ago, RideWithStyles said:

Just shows you grown attachments to it and difficult to let go, I’ll assume you don’t have enough space to become a horder? At least that’s one good thing. .

 

bikes do get shifted, bought and sold between traders so that’s one reason it could/will move around different places.

You’re correct. I was going to keep it. And I turned down  part exchange offer. But then the dealer offered to put it in their showroom and sell it on my behalf for a flat rate. And at the time I knew I needed to move house and was trying not to have too much “stuff” Seemed no downside to letting them sell it.  And so I agreed. And the price I received was midway between top price and what I would have got for trade in. And it sold fairly quickly. All good. And now I’ve noticed it up for top money in another dealership … I hadn’t considered that it might just have been sold between dealers. Actually now you suggest that, I reckon that’s what has probably happened.  Just to be clear. I’m not in any way tempted to buy it back again. I wouldn’t mind a second bike now I’ve moved and more settled. But it would be something different. 

[Tinkicker]

The workshops where the bike is prepped for the showroom are staffed by technicians running petrol vehicles....

 

I will leave you to work it out....

[Nick the wanderer]

A couple of years ago I worked for a bike shop collecting and delivering bikes to various places around the country. I enjoyed it but he never had enough constant work and I moved on. One thing I do remember, he got very excited when he got a bike in with any amount of fuel left in it.

[bud]

My mate had quite a new Mercedes about ten years ago. He was coming back from the hospital with his mum. Stopped at a petrol station and filled the car up. Then had an accident about a mile up the road, as a car turned into him from the other lane. 

It ripped the front wheel off. Doing a lot of other damage too.

It was picked up and taken to the police impound yard.

When it was finally fixed about three months later. He got a call from the Mercedes dealer telling him there was a problem. It wouldn't start as there was not a drop of fuel in it!

He was arguing with the dealer, and insurance for quite a while to pay for the petrol. Which they did eventually.

I guess the impound yard thought it would never be fixed because of the damage.

[Saul]

Bit off topic but I was a Postie years ago working in a small sub office with 3 vans.  Anyway I always took the vans for servicing or repair to the Royal Mail garage in Bodmin, the techs there all ran older cars for work.  I eventually asked why and was told that every time a diesel van was misfueled with petrol and brought back to be drained they would use the contaminated petrol in their jalopy cars.   Sounds daft I know but in the sizable van fleet they looked after misfuelling was pretty common.