Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #1

Ok, spent the weekend really cleaning the carbs (Thanks Rick).
Put it back together and re-tuned with the colortune (thanks everyone else that's put info up on its use). Bike runs grrrreat!
Then this morning went out to have a looksie at my work......and booooh
fuel leaking onto the floor .
On closer inspection i realised that the fuel was coming from #1 pod.
My question is, could this be the float height set incorrectly (i did check them all, Floats adjusted 17 – 17.5 mm from gasket level to top of float but guess i could be out on just this one).
All the float needle valves were fine and seemed to shut off ok AND it never leaked before this.
What say ye?
Cheers
Nick

 

The needles can stick when dry- try tapping the bowl

 

thanks Bill,
I'm gonna check that but i rode the bike for about 10 minutes, wouldn't that have made that needle move?
Or are you saying that the needle could have been stuck open all the time?
hmmm interesting.

 

It's possible but if you rode it I would think it would seat. So a couple of more ideas.

Check the valve seat. Sometimes it can leak if not tight or the washer is missing. Check the needle and seat carefully to see if it has any damage. Check the spring pin on top of the needle - I saw a member that had one stick and caused issues.

As you mentioned check the float height. 17.5mm usually works great but I found if I was less than careful in measuring I wound up high. Check the level with the tube method.

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

Ok, hopefully i'll get time to look at it this evening.
Gotta take the carbs off again.....oh...i hope i don't have any fuel in the oil.
Is there a chance of that again? :roll:

 

Should be minimal chance if your petcock works and you keep in in the on position....

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

8O I KNEW there was something i forgot to put in the first paragraph!
The PO has put a 'bog standard' aftermarket fuel tap in there. Just a straight ON and OFF and i left it in the ON position overnight.....Guess i may have just answered my own question doh!

 

yup need to be off - so you better check the oil. Sorry ....

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

No worries Bill.
It's all part of the learning process i guess.
And you know what? I'd much rather have found out all this stuff 'hands on' than just trying to get someone else to fix it for me.
This place never fails to amaze me how much info you can get.
Also, thanks for you speedy response(s) they're really appreciated.

 

no problem I sit at this computer all day - it only takes a second to check and answer...

Hope I can help at least a little

 

I had the same problem after getting my carbs rebuilt. It would only leak when I turned on the fuel valve. I called the shop about the problem and they told me it would reseal after putting some miles on the bike.

I was skeptical about it because fuel was leaking when the bike was sitting still. Now I have put about 200 miles on the bike and it has stopped leaking on its own.

 

Ah yes......I'm still gonna have to get those carbs off again just to make sure. I can't keep putting oil in there only for it to leak fuel in there again.
Thanks

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

Well, got the carbs off again. couldn't really see much difference in the float height, so i tweaked it a little. (probably was the float valve sticking then i guess).
Changed the oil (again) re-assembled and fired her up. Haven't had chance to ride it yet tho'. This weekend watch out coz i'm gonna ride her hard.
Can't wait.
Really starting to love this bike

 

Hope it goes well - keep us "posted"

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

Took it out at the weekend (and today) really rides nice. (Always remember to turn the fuel tap off now! just in case).
I've noticed that the speedo is playing up. As soon as i hit 65-70 mph it goes crazy. The needle flips from 70-90mph in a second, then back again.
I've taken the cable out, cleaned it up and oiled it well with 3-in-1 oil.
Ready to test again, then check the plugs (again).

 

Two things; 3-in-one oil is not the best lube; it will eventually gum up (as will WD40) Look at current post "WD40 is Evil" for a LOT of alternatives. It could be the cable, or the speedo head itself. The speedo on my '83 (a bike which has been sitting off and on for 4+ years) just started doing a similar thing (bouncing from 40-90) while also making a horribly loud screaming noise. I don't think there is an actual mechanical failure as that bike has less than 8K miles, it is more likely dried-out lubricants in the speedo itself. You are quite likely experiencing the same situation. The speedo can be carefully disassembled, cleaned and lubed.

 

Re: Cleaned the carbs (pods)....now fuel leaking from carb #

Update from the other day.
I took her out again today. Speedo works just great i'm happy to say.
Also, as far as the carbs go, well the bike runs MUCH better BUt i still had carb #2 running rich (plug was sooty) and #1 only a bit better.
Really thought i had it sussed. Oh well.
Have to get the colortune on it again.
Also, i can't seem to adjust the 'idle screw' to make very much difference (is that the big one down below you turn with your hand?) It idles real high if i turn it in but if i go out it never really comes down much.
Guess i just need to keep tweaking (I just don't want to change it so much that it starts running bad again).
Tomorrow, we begin to tweak - tomorrow shall be named 'tweaking Sunday'.
Laters

 

nikoteen-- noob question here: how do you set the float height when the carbs are off the bike? I just about have mine back together and I thought they had to be on the bike to set them. thanks!

wait wait! don't answer that!

I did a search and found a half dozen threads and four different techniques -- what a mess! Unfortunately the pics were expired on the one that sounded most promising.

I am going to try the one from dodger62
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... eight.html
He explains the difference between float height and float drop, and it makes sense to me. I replaced the drain screws so I can level check it on the bike after.

Cheers!