Bad Float ? Symptoms ?

[bigfatcat]

Anybody ever have to replace a carb float ?   If so, what were the symptoms ?

Couple weeks ago I started having a flooding problem on the left carb, and have replaced the float valve assembly with new o ring, and bent the tab and all that, but still can't get the fuel level down to the gasket ...

Do old floats get fuel soaked and heavy ? Doesn't look like they would unless actually leaky and holding fuel, which mine don't, i think.

on a '95 gs with 15000 miles ...

[bombsquad83]

The float is not bad as long as it doesn't have a crack which allows gas inside the float, or a break in the plastic somewhere else on the float.  My best guess at your problem is that you are using aftermarket K&L float valve replacements.  I have found that these did not work for me.  Once I replaced my float sets with OEM from a dealer website such as ronayers.com, they worked perfectly.

[craigs449]

pull the carbs off, take off the float bowls and put gas in it, now pull off the float......let it sit in the fuel for about 15 minute, if it sank, there is a crack in it, if it still floats, its good.


Also be sure to blow out the needle valve passage, if there is a spec of dirt in there, it will not shut the fuel supply off.

[bigfatcat]

Tested by immersion in gas - Floats float, but gonna replace anyway 'cuz the tabs are worn.

(Because of the way the metal spring-loaded valve tip sits on the tab, bending doesn't do all that much to adjust bowl fuel level, some but not much.)

Buying all my parts from ron ayers.com btw, we's bestest buddies now.

[bombsquad83]

So are you using OEM float valve needle and seat or no?

[bigfatcat]

So are you using OEM float valve needle and seat or no?

Yes,genuine mikuni parts on the package label.

[bombsquad83]

What kind of shape is your needle valve seat o-ring in?  There could be gas leaking past the o-ring and bypassing the float needle valve altogether.

[bigfatcat]

What kind of shape is your needle valve seat o-ring in?  There could be gas leaking past the o-ring and bypassing the float needle valve altogether.

The needle valve assembly includes needle, seat, and o ring - so, all new.

[bombsquad83]

I would tend to agree that your issue would lie with the shape of the tab on the float, or the integrity of the float itself.  I would try bending the tab in various ways until you find one that works. 

If nothing works and you want a different float.  I have a used one that I can sell to you if you like.  Unfortunately I only have one because the other used one I have is broken (one of the plastic arms snapped).

[bombsquad83]

One more thought.  The left carb is the one that the vacuum line for the petcock is attached to.  Check to make sure that you aren't getting fuel past the diaphragm in the petcock and into the vacuum line.  If this was the case though, you would probably have other issues other than just gas level in the bowl.