Constant carb problems. Going to give up soon

Well, I rebuilt the carbs and had it running. Then got into an accident (truck, not bike), had shoulder surgery, etc. Fixed other things like brakes, shocks, exhaust, gas tank, rear tire and brakes. Have a ton of time in it and a fair amount of money in it, but I'm at my wit's end here. Put the tank on tonight, turned the petcock and the thing is pouring out gas.

Really not sure what to do...try to rebuild carbs AGAIN, find someone locally that will do it for not an arm and leg, give up and sell as is, give up and part out...

 

It doesn't take long for the gas to sit in the carbs before it turns to varnish. O good cleaning and checking the float height via clear tube method should fix you up.

 

No need to buy new parts again , just take the carbs apart and clean them. Its a easy project for a evening. Don't give up

 

Make sure the the brass cylinders in the carbs go clunk. Here is a video from anther XJ'er that shows what I mean.

http://s82.photobucket.com/albums/j255/ ... CN4501.mp4

 

Thanks guys...gonna take 'em apart ONE more time...had to get a new body per Rick's suggestion...thinking jbweld won't hold, and being in gas, I agree.

 

What does that have to do with gas pouring out?

 

Cleanliness of the carbs. If they are dirty the floats may be stuck allowing gas to pour out

 

You don't say where the gas is pouring from or what position the tap is on....There are two items that prevent fuel from pouring out like that. The first one is the float valves....they need to seat properly secondly, in the prime position the gas tap will prevent fuel from pouring out if the float valves are failing. You need to investigate both items. May I suggest you use the search function as this has all been covered before. However if you don't want to do that, a helpful soul will be along shortly....

 

correction, in the PRIME position the gas tap will NOT prevent fuel from pouring out........in that position, the vacuum is bypassed and the fuel is free-flowing. The fuel tap will only prevent gas from flowing when it's in either RESERVE or RUN positions and the tap is in good condition to maintain seals when the engine is off. Otherwise fuel can still run.

The only thing preventing fuel from running into the carbs, is the floats. If they are all in good sealing condition, then when the bowls are full, the float needle closes and blocks entrance. As the fuel level decreases the float needle opens to allow fuel in. If there is dirt in the seat, or the floats stick down, then fuel can also get in. Now, if the fuel tap is running or leaking, AND the float needle is open, then there's nothing preventing gas from running til the tank is empty.

The clunk test has nothing to do with any of that other than to say, if you weren't particular about cleanliness here, then you probably weren't too picky somewhere else. Gas can still run into the carbs through other ports, not just through the main jet.

Dave F

 

ooops that's what I meant to say....wrong way round!