Hi haven't been on in a while and am having a nightmare with my beloved gs.  Bike has always been running fine, never any problems, it's 10 mths old and I put it away as normal last night. On starting I always open the choke fully, switch on ignition and then wait until engine is ready, never any problems this way, always works. Anyway this morning I go to start it and it keeps cutting out. The choke was fully open but it was like it wasn't open at all?? Revs didn't climb at all and dipped if anything, engine would then splutter and die on me. I tried everything, checked cables etc to best of my knowledge (which is limited) but same thing kept happening. Having choke opened or closed made no difference to revs. So then I rang the garage where i got bike and got the usual 'is there enough fuel in tank?' (there was, 2 thirds full). Anyway he said it sounded like a fuel problem and I should switch it to pri and try again. I did and it didn't work. Unfortunately I was in such a panic to get to work that I left the bike in my yard but left petcock switched to pri I get home and the whole back yard is covered in petrol thats dripped from tank, tank is now nearly empty, fumes are really strong, neighbours aren't happy and I'm afraid to even switch the light on in the kitchen in case something blows up. So main questions are 1 what's wrong with my choke 2 will leaving petcock at pri cause my whole petrol tank to leak out and 3 whats the best thing to put on yard full of spilt petrol (all shops are closed so my options are severely limited). Any replys or advice would be hugely appreciated, thanks

For the 2nd and 3rd, Yes Pri will cause all gas to go away. As for the gas in your yard. Kiss your grass goodbye, nothing can be done now.

When did you refuel last could've got a bad batch....
checke the air filter, check for pinched fuel lines, after that, it's the carb..

leaving it on prime will let the fuel gravity feed into the carbs, another thing (at least on other engines i've worked on) check the oil if it is thin and smells like fuel, you drained gas into the crankcase as well(very bad)  do a oil change if this is the case.  might not, i don't know exactly how this engine deals with that, i know honda industrial engines will drink the tank into the block

Btw, to get rid of that "petrol" a match will do the trick .... (no warranty on how the yard will look though

lol yeah thought about that, at least it'd be quick thanks guys

Can you see the choke cable moving on the carb when you move the lever?

I know that is Capt. obvious speaking, but sometimes the little things get ya.

Quote from: louisivUnfortunately I was in such a panic to get to work that I left the bike in my yard but left petcock switched to pri I get home and the whole back yard is covered in petrol thats dripped from tank, tank is now nearly empty

Hello louisiv,

I have an '02 GS500 with 8,000 miles and it runs great.  I start my bike  just like you do and it always starts just fine.  

I accidently left my petcock in the   Prime position once for at least 24 hours and I did not have any fuel leakage.  I would think that the float valves in the carbs would stop the flow of fuel.  Maybe your problem lies with the float valves, because it sounds like you are getting too much fuel.  Just an idea.

Good luck.


Bob

I'd go with Bob on this one.  Either one of your needle valves are leaking, flooding the carb, or one of your floats has broken loose of the pivot, preventing the needle valve from closing.  That would explain the massive fuel spill.  Might as well check Captain Obvious' suggestion about the choke cable before you go in there too, but still I think your carbs could use a going-over, just in case.