Leaking gas around carb

[silverslp]

Hello, I am very new to motorcycles and got my license in May. I just purchased a 1997 Suzuki gs500e.

I have searched the forum, as well as the internet, and just haven't found a solid answer.

The problem is, I am starting to notice a gas leak all around the carbs and a couple drips on the bike casing below. The bike runs perfect, I'm just concerned that the leak may get worse. I cannot find the place it's leaking from, but it seems to be coming from the top of the carbs.

My petcock is always set to the "ON" position. Also, the bowl-drain screws are tight.

Thank you in advance for the assistance! 

[bombsquad83]

It's odd that it would be coming from the top of the carb.  Do you have a vent tube that runs from a rubber T connection and terminating in open air between your airbox and battery box?  Also, check the T connection between the two carbs where the main fuel line from the petcock attaches.  Finally, check where the vacuum tube that runs to the petcock comes attaches to the left carb.  It's possible that your petcock diaphragm has a leak and there is fuel coming through the small vacuum line.

[ace50]

Your comment: 'but it seems to be coming from the top of the carbs.' is a little vague. The carb bowls gaskets can leak from corrosion over time (ethanol). Mine did, and it looked like the carbs leaked all over. New gaskets fixed it.
Just a thought.

[silverslp]

Is it necessary to remove the carbs completely to replace the gaskets? Also, how much (ball park) could one expect to pay at a shop for this service, if in fact the carb bowl gasket is leaking? Thank you.

[bombsquad83]

Is it necessary to remove the carbs completely to replace the gaskets? Also, how much (ball park) could one expect to pay at a shop for this service, if in fact the carb bowl gasket is leaking? Thank you.

Most likely you will need to remove the carbs completely to get at the JIS screws that hold the bowl on.  Once you replace those awful JIS screws with proper socket head cap screws, you can pretty easily get the float bowls off with the carb in the bike.

[mustangGT90210]

I'd bet on the float bowl gaskets.

Here's how to solve your issue! Buy a can of brake cleaner from your local auto parts place, and spray outside of the carbs clean. After it's all dried off (it evaporates very quickly, slap some baby powder or something all over the carbs. Take it around the block and see where the baby powder is wet

[MARider]

I had a similar issue. But I had a crack in my carb bowl..I know I will get crap for this but I used JB on it and that cured it