Carburetor Rebuild Question - ADDED *Fuel Lines leaking*

[sahaider]

I need to take the carbs off my GS500E and replace the float needle on one side. I won't have a kit, just the float needle to replace.

I'm going through the Haynes Service Manual, and when I get to the part that tells me to remove the carburetor body O-Ring, it says that I have to discard it as a new one must be fitted. Is that necessarily true? I don't have an extra O-ring part, and I'm not sure if I'd be able to get one very quickly, but if it's a necessity, I'll hold off until I have one.

Any help?

**ADDED**
When I took the gas tank off, the gas tank fuel lines leaked. They didn't vacuum seal. Is this common on a 1996? Is there something I might have done wrong? I just clamped them shut.

[ninjeff]

If the oring is still in good condition, i think you could reuse it. I did.

[slipperymongoose]

Yeah if your o ring is squishy you can re use it if it's hard and brittle get a new one

[sahaider]

Yeah if your o ring is squishy you can re use it if it's hard and brittle get a new one

Thanks, guys. I'll let you know how the rebuild goes on Friday when the new float needle comes in. I just took the MSF course last weekend and have been itching to get on my bike!

[sahaider]

When I took the gas tank off, the gas tank fuel lines leaked. They didn't vacuum seal. Is this common on a 1996? Is there something I might have done wrong? I just clamped them shut.

[00sanchez]

Can you pinpoint where the lines are leaking? I.e. out of the top, from a rip or hole, etc. I have a 98, and my gas lines get sucked tight enough to where a clamp is overkill, so if yours are pretty loose, you may have lines with too large of an ID or something is amiss... more than likely a puncture.

[slipperymongoose]

Just by way of asking you did turn the tap off on the tank?

[adidasguy]

The tank valve rarely gets shut off. O ring in it probably dry and cracked. I have had a minor drop and it always was the tank valve o ring. Easy to replace. Drain most gas and tilt tank so no gas at valve. Pop off spring clip. New ring and snap back on.