carbs leaking

so i finally got my 1985 yamaha 700 maxim running

i filled up the gas tank all the way and started it up for the first time, got it running and had to put it away since it was to late to continue working on it.

i came back in the morning to check on it and the entire floor was filled with gas. my gas tank was almost empty and was leaking gas out of the hose from the carbs (the longer hose from the middle carb)

any help please!!!! this is the biggest project i took on, and am new to this but really enjoy it so if someone can help me out i would really appreciate it.

and thank you in advance for everybody that will help me!!!!

 

You have one or more floats stuck or misadjusted AND your petcock didn't shut off.

You likely also now have a crankcase full of gasoline; don't start the bike until you investigate.

The carbs can't overflow (much) if the petcock does its job.

The carbs SHOULDN'T overflow at all even if the petcock fails, the floats are supposed to shuf off fuel flow.

You have a two-pronged problem; and both need to be addressed. Plus most likely an oil and filter change; and be sure your air filter isn't full of gas too.

 

thats for the reply but im kind of new to this so can u help me a little more with what i need to do.

i didnt put the air filters on the carbs are wide open as off now!!!

how can i fix the petcock problem since im not sure what might be wrong with the petcock

and the carbs are probably not all right and the floats as u said are probably not leveled right but i dont think that will cause the bike to empty a hole 4 gallons of gas over night i know if they arent level they will leak a little while running but it was just sitting over night

so can you please be a little more specific of what i need to do

thank you so much once again

 

My XJ700N had the same problem, and I got the same advice. I suggest that you follow the advice given in the order given and to the letter.

1. Don't ride the bike until you change the oil and filter. As stated above, it is probably full of gas which thins the oil and will damage the engine.

2. Check the petcock by removing the gas line with the lever in "run" or "reserve". If any gas comes out, get a petcock rebuild kit from Chacal and rebuild it. The only time gas should flow from the petcock when the engine is not running is if you have the lever in the "Prime" position, which should only be used to prime the carbs after a rebuild or completely running out of gas. See Fitz's instructions:
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=25058.html

3. Order float valve seats and needles from Chacal and replace all the ones you have since you do not know which carb(s) is/are leaking.
Might as well clean the carbs at the same time. See RickCoMatics instructions on cleaning the carbs:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2908.html

See Chacal's instructions on setting the float levels:
http://www.xj4ever.com/setting%20fuel%20levels.pdf

good luck.

 

thanks for the response.

so about the oil just wondering how does it get in the oil and thin it because the oil and filer were replaced not long ago while i was working on the bike.

i wanted to change the tank so i bought a 1979 gs1000l tank also vacuum petcock which was brand new. the petcock has a reverse and run position. so idk why it would leak but ill check it out.

about the floats!!! i replaced the valve seats and needle but not the actual float. the floats are for sure of balance but idk how that will cause it to leak over 4 gallons in one night

 

IF the floats aren't closing the float needle completely, or if he needle does not seat properly, fuel will be forced through the carb, into the combustion chamber, and leak down past the piston rings into the sump. This can also happen even if the float needles are closing completely when the petcock is leaking. The floats don't' put much pressure on the needles, and the seal can be overcome by the force that the fuel exerts on the needle and seat as it tries to "find" a path downward.

 

thanks to everybody that helped till now. i will try to work on the bike tomorrow and let you know what happens thanks once again!!!!

 

Believe me, with one or more floats stuck open and an unlimited supply of gas it will easily drain the tank overnight; half on the floor and half INTO THE MOTOR.

Tabaka45 has listed all of the steps you need to take and posted links to the pertinent instructions.

Start by removing your oil fill plug and stick your nose in the hole. Have a whiff. If it smells like gasoline and not just "warm oil" then it polluted your crankcase (as expected.)

This is a common issue; and you have the solution.

 

hey thanks for the replies i have been to busy with school so i didnt get a chance to work on the bike. after the bikes stopped leaking gas i brought it back in my garage and saw there was still some more gas in the tank but it wasnt leaking.

later that night i went to check on it and my entire floor was with oil leaking. it has never done that before, just leaking from the bottom i think were the joint connects to the drive shaft and is covered with a rubber piece. i have a feeling it because the gas thinned the oil. does anybody know why this happened and might be able to help. thank you