Hey everyone, I have a 2011 sportsman 500 ho that has a strong fuel smell from the air box. It has 3000 miles on it and always been put away with fuel stabilizer in it. I noticed that when I ride sometimes, I will get a fuel smell. It comes and then goes away. I just opened the air filter box and noticed a strong fuel smell, but there was no fuel in the box at all. I have not noticed any leaking of fuel from the overflow on the carb. My oil level has not risen, so I'm assuming there is no fuel in the oil. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Check the oil tank for any fuel contamination is important. I'd pull the dip stick and smell to make sure. Glad you're keeping a check on oil tank level.Make sure the fuel tank vent is open,no kinks. Some are fished into the steering stem,others tie into tee valves under the headlight pod.Fuel bubbles can collect here and people have notice a smell coming from this area also. Actually better in most cases to disconnect any vent tees and chunk em. Also these bst40 carbs are bad on fuel dripping on the engines from the over flow/drain tube at the bottom of the carb. If you notice any wet spots around the starter I'd get a longer length of tubing and let it hang through the bash plate area. Plus check for a any wet areas around the tank line fuel nipples and fuel valve hoses. A lot of people over look this area. Vapors can be noticeable in the air box at times. If it gets too strong, time to at least look at the float setting. Again float setting can get off and has to be set properly. Here's a bst40(used on a Ktm) similar to yours and shows how to set the float height.The BST-40 Bible | Adventure Rider

 

Thanks for all the info and advice Old Polaris Tech. I will definitely look into everything that you said.