Tremendous Carb Overflow Tube Leak - Floats or Clogged Jets?

[gsmetal]

Well as the headline says, I'm leaking fuel like crazy from the overflow tube that connects to the carb.

This is after being in the workshop all winter with the carbs drained (I never did take the carbs apart since there was no trouble in the fall).

Anyone care to take a guess as to whether this is a float issue, clogged jet issue or something else?

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[3

[MarkusN]

That hose isn't an overflow actually, but for reference pressure. I think last time I heard about such a phenomenon it was a cracked diphragm in the petcock, making the carb suck fuel through the vacuum line.

[gsmetal]

I had the petcock at Prime and it overflowed there and at RES and ON as well.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

43

[GeeP]

It's a stuck float.  This will happen if you drain your carbs which is why I don't recommend the practice.

Switch your petcock to prime and tap the float bowl of each carb a few times lightly with a plastic hammer.  Tap a few more times if needed.  The overflow should stop.  If this trick doesn't work, remove the float bowls and spray everything down with carb cleaner.

Before you attempt to start the bike remove both spark plugs, put the bike in gear, and push it forward.  Do NOT motor the engine over with the starter.  When you are satisfied that the engine is in no danger of hydraulic lock reinstall the plugs, fire it up, and go.

[rangerbrown]

and why cant you just remove the plugs leave in N and turn it over? and have to say when ever you winterize anything with carbs, run the fuel out one every thing i own i have never had to do a carb job sence. but thats just me.

[GeeP]

For two reasons;

#1, if a cylinder happens to be full of gasoline it will squirt out with tremendous force, dousing you and everything around you.  All this while your headlight is on and your starter is running.  Both are good sources of ignition.

#2, the starter will turn the engine over very rapidly without compression, and will not stop instantly if a piston encounters resistance.  If a cylinder is full of fuel it will not be able to escape through the spark plug hole fast enough to prevent hydraulic lock, which is the purpose of the exercise!