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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: 2009GS on February 02, 2022, 03:01:18 AM

Title: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: 2009GS on February 02, 2022, 03:01:18 AM
Hi guys, my right hand carburettor for my 2009 Gs500 is leaking out of I think the top of the bowl, through the gasket. I cleaned them a few weeks ago and made sure not to get any carb cleaner on the gaskets but maybe some did? It's a pain to take the carbys off and fiddle with them so if anyone knows what the problem might be before I take them off it would really be appreciated. Thanks! Happy riding  :cheers:
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: Bluesmudge on February 02, 2022, 09:49:58 AM
Its either a gasket issue (old or torn), float height is too high, or float valve is stuck/clogged. Either way you will have to take the carbs off to inspect. Leaking fuel should never happen, its dangerous!

Have you checked your airbox for fuel/strong gasoline smell? That would imply that its float heights or float valve rather than a simple gasket failure.
If you have a 2009 GS, I don't think the 3rd gen carburetor floats are adjustable (anyone want to confirm that?) so its more likely that its a problem with the float valve/needle. Is this bike frequently ridden or has it been sitting?
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: 2009GS on February 02, 2022, 05:24:21 PM
Hi, thanks for your response. This bike is ridden daily, mostly to school and work or just going for a cruise
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: Bluesmudge on February 03, 2022, 09:28:08 AM
If the bike is ridden daily and still performs well, then maybe its just an old gasket? That's actually very odd. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Does the airbox smell like fuel?
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: mentalshark on February 03, 2022, 02:28:56 PM
I had that issue before, where I have left the petcock at prim because I was working on it a lot, and once I have set it to On it was fixed. hopefully yours is just as simple as this.
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: 2009GS on February 04, 2022, 11:13:15 PM
Quote from: Bluesmudge on February 03, 2022, 09:28:08 AM
If the bike is ridden daily and still performs well, then maybe its just an old gasket? That's actually very odd. Maybe someone else will chime in.
Does the airbox smell like fuel?

Hi, no the airbox doesn't smell like petrol
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: Bluesmudge on February 05, 2022, 04:02:48 PM
The other thing to check would be the spark plugs. Are they wet and black/sooty?

If the plugs look like a healthy toasted brown color, then its probably not float valve or float heights and sounds like its literally a leak from the float bowl gasket. I've never heard of that happening but maybe a fresh gasket will help.
Title: Re: Leaky Carburettor
Post by: herennow on February 05, 2022, 10:30:32 PM
Just to make sure, smell your dispstick as well, if petrol got into the oil your crank and big end bearings are not long for this world.

And the bike can go BOOM  in extreme cases.