Gas leaking out of the cap (S2r 1000)

[jmc]

An interesting thing happened yesterday evening when I went to start up my Duc, which had unfortunately been driven through a pretty bad rain storm the day prior and left out uncovered that night through the storm.

I went to start it and she started up OK at first but then puttered out after a few seconds.  Sometimes this happens when the engine and oil are cold so I tried again.  This time the engine didn't start and the starter would just keep on trying to turn over.  I assumed my battery needed a charge, so I charged it... still nothing!  Then I began to wonder whether there was water in the tank.  I've had a small issue with this before.

I then went to remove the battery by lifting the gas tank and a ton of gas started leaking out of the closed cap... it wouldn't stop! 

So, I've got a couple issues:
1) Has anyone encountered fuel leaking from the cap, perhaps because of a bad gas cap seal?
2) What's the best way to remove all of the fuel from the tank (siphon? If so what king? turning it upside down?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

jmc

[Howie]

If the tank is close to full it is not unusual for some gasoline to leak through the vent in the cap. 

Something like this will work goodenuf    http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=gasoline+siphon&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=16565864474805703971&sa=X&ei=xNlNTtfTH6Li0QGzhantBg&ved=0CDYQ8wIwAQ

[jmc]

It leaks regardless of how full it is when I lift the gas tank.

[eyemd]

had the same issue on my 748R before but gas was leaking out of the "keyhole". turned out that an "O ring" in the locking system was broke, just replaced it by myself by following this thread http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/technical-help/44085-s4r-fuel-system.html
hope this helps

[gage]

It leaks regardless of how full it is when I lift the gas tank.

gas is leaking up?

[jmc]

that has happen sometimes when I've overfilled the tank but in this case i'm lifting the entire tank up and over where the seat is so that I can access the battery bay easily.  it leaks through the cap and hasn't before.

[jmc]

I finally see what's happening...

There's corrosion on the material (aluminum?) just outside the gas hole where around the area that the gas cap it bolted in.... This is causing the gas cap to be raised in a peculiar way, such that the cap doesn't fully close when it's shut and locked.

This explains how both how water got in and how gas occasionally leaks out.

Has this happened to anyone before?  I'm wondering if it's common or whether I should make a fuss and write a strongly worded letter to Ducati.