Been having problems so I ripped my 06 500f apart today. Cleaned the gas tank...carbs..jets..air filters the whole deal. It was leaking gas from the float bowl drains and I saw it leaking off the idle adjustment screw too. Which I don't understand. Now after all that...it's still leaking somewhere and running off the screw?! I know that it can't literally be leaking from there but I honestly can't see where it's coming from. Haven't taken it for a ride yet since working on it but I'm about to. Hopefully it's at least riding good because I'm guessing I had some rust or build up in my jets from my gas tank.

If anyone has any ideas about where that gas could be coming from or if it's happened to anyone please lemme know asap!

Cheers!

I'm not positive about the GS500 carbs because I haven't taken one apart, but have done many carbs on other bikes and the pilot screws (I think that is what you are referring to) all have a packing (o-ring) a washer and a spring. Many times they are lost, fall out when the screw is taken out or disintegrate from the crappy gas we have now a days. I would check to be sure the parts are in there...could leak gas without them.

Are you referring to the mixture screws (there are 2 of them, screwed in deep into a recessed hole), or the idle speed screw (large, hand turn-able screw)?  If it's from the idle speed screw, it's probably leaking from your float bowl gaskets.

By the way, it would be easier for everyone to help you if you don't make a new thread for every new issue, as it seems these are all related.  You can switch the title of the topic without making a new thread if you want.

Thanks guys. Yeah sorry about so many threads I just felt like I wasn't getting answers on my old ones after a while. New to the forum thing yaknow.

Anyway..yes I'm talking about the big white hand turnable idle speed screw. I know there's nowhere for gas to leak from by it so my guess was the gaskets in the bowls too but the gaskets looked usable when I took the carbs apart. They were pretty flat and obviously needed to be replaced just to do it but like I said they werent torn or anything. Either way guess I should just get new ones eh?

I don't know where else it could be coming from. It's the only spot that I see gas coming from.

Getting new carbs would be a waste of money. Check to make sure your bowl drain screw are not loose and also make sure the bowl covers themselves are tight. This is one of the simplest bikes to work on and do yourself a huge favor and get a service manual ie clymer

Well I took the bowls off to check them so I know they're nice and tight. Everything else was good in the bowls too. I know they're super easy to work on which is why this is frustrating because I know it's something simple and little

also I might check the fuel line going into the carb, it could be some gas just traveling. I would say take a day off from it all though. I know that when I start to get frustrated with trouble shooting an issue just stepping back and not thinking about it helps and lets your brain think about it in the background..

So just before I saw it was once again leaking from the float drains and even the other ports near the float bowls. Basically it's coming out of every hole on the bottom of the carbs. It's GOTTA be those gaskets. Or a mixture of them and maybe bad drain screws/orings?

The leak isn't huge. I mean it's still a leak but it's not bad at all. I thought that it might of been coming from the petcock- carb fuel line too but it didn't really look wet there. Clueless.   Guess I just gotta start replacing ish

I would say get a carb rebuild kit. I had the same issue, well kind of. My drain on the left carb had a drip and for the life of me couldn't figure out what was wrong..then realized some jack off put some plumbers putty in there for some god forsaken reason..well cleaned that out and put in new drain screws..problem solved

Yaknow my drain screws definitely are messed up too. I'm pretty sure anyway. The very ends of them look chipped and just not right as if they won't sit right and could eventually let some fuel by. I don't understand how or why gas is coming out of places it's not supposed to like those ports. They're near the drains kinda looks like the drain too.

I hate to say it but sound like a a full tare down is needed..make sure all gaskets and O rings are there..honestly if you dont rush and take your time shouldn't take more than an hour and some change. I have never worked on multi carb set ups before as I have mostly owned only thumpers and none where vacuum actuated so I was a little worried pulling everything apart as there are springs and diaphragms and a good amount of tiny o'rings. But all in all it wasn't bad..I just took my time and used every resource that is available on this amazing forum.  PS I have now taken my bike apart so many times now messing with my carbs I am pretty sure I can sargent pile it and do it blind folded

Yep. I know. Thing is I've already tore them apart twice since I got the bike a couple weeks ago. Hate opening it up so much but I mean I gotta fix it. Just had it apart over the weekend but didn't see much. Just that the gaskets were flat and worn but a mechanic friend said to throw some gasket maker on it and it'd be fine. Shouldn't of listened to him. Could've just gotten the new gaskets and drain screws and prolly been fine. Whatever though no biggie. I'm pretty good at taking it apart already.

check to make sure the orings didnt come out..mine did..luckily I found them on the garage floor..thank god the one time I take the time to clean up before I start working on something

Where are there I rings though? I honestly don't even remember seeing any

there is an o ring on the float needle that could be bad, I am trying to find the thread on here with great pics with descriptions but for the life of me cant..

Yeah if you could find that it would be a huge help. I found the sticky showing all the carb parts but it's missing a few things . Definitely let me know!

Thanks!

okay so float needle. fuel/air screw are the main ones. I would say it might be the air screw under the brass cover.

Don't use gasket maker on carbs. Whoever told you that is wrong. The stuff breaks down with the fuels today and get's into everything and gums it up.

second dennis on that..spend the money on proper gasket.

gary here you go http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=56601.0