Fuel in Oil...WHY?!

[octane]

The more I thought about this, the more it bugged me. Twice in the 8 years I've had my GS I ended up with gas in the oil. Once after it sat for a few months untouched with a full tank of gas, and then again years later when I was having trouble with the carbs. What causes this and how can it be prevented (short of NOT leaving the petcock on prime   ). Thanks.

[Blueknyt]

floats stick open, petcock is faulty, generaly if its alot of fuel in oil as in you now seem over full of oil,you would hydrolock the engine, it could be its running SO damn rich, your fuel washing the cylenders, this would be bad too, as it keeps the film of oil OFF the cyl wall letting them scratchup, give alittle more info, what work has been done to the engine, boring, porting, jetting, ect.

[octane]

The first time it happened the engine was stone stock.  I think it was  a bad petcock - I replaced it and the problem went away. Second time the motor had exhaust, filters, and jet kit.

[werase643]

8 yrs later.....another bad fuel shut off.... :mrgreen:
sorry for your pain

[octane]

Stupid vacuum operated petcock.

Another question - the vacuum nipples on the top of my carbs were apparently broken off by a previous owner (or one of the crooked shops that have worked on the bike) and plugged up with some sort of JB Weld crap or something. Can I balance the carbs using the vacuum ports on the sides of the carbs instead?