sticky float?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by alexanderx, Nov 19, 2010.

  1. alexanderx

    alexanderx Guest

    My bike ('86 vfr 750) leaks fuel from the top of just one carb when I start it after it has sat idle for a few weeks.
    I am guessing the float is sticking.
    Any other thing to look for or quick fixes or do I need to pull it and take it apart?
    thanks in advance
     


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  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Can you get a picture of a drawing off the interwebz to illistrate where the leak is coming from? Generally a stuck float will leak back into the motor. You say it's leaking from the "top" so I'm curious where that might be.
     


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  3. alexanderx

    alexanderx Guest

    I will try to rig up some fuel pressure to it to get a pic of the leak. I have the gas tank off right now...i got a "new" (from bike wreckers) fuel petcock today.
    Also, when I attached a hose to the fuel bowls to drain them...nothing came out of one of them...should I be concerned.
    Is it possible I have been running on 3 carbs...I think not.
     


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  4. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    The fuel cross over tubes are prone to leaking when the seals dry oot, does it stop after it has been run for a while?
     


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  5. alexanderx

    alexanderx Guest

    yes it does as a matter of factoid
     


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  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    fuel cross over tubes, you refer to the fuel supply rail?
     


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  7. alexanderx

    alexanderx Guest

    Does the fact that it stops after a while lean towards float issues?
     


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  8. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    could be a combination of problems.

    pinpointing where the leak is coming from is key. Floats that don't seal usually leak into the throttle body area of the carb and down the intake manifold. You don't usually see a physical leak but experience hard restarting after the bike has been warmed up and you run in to pay for your gas etc...

    The o-rings on the fuel rail that connects the carbs to each other can leak when they dry out. But if the floats are sealing, then there should be fuel in the rail at all times and the o-rings shouldn't be able to dry out.

    So pinpointing where the leak is coming from is key. Can theorize a dozen possibilities but all is a waste of time without better information.
     


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  9. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Like Tink said you need to pin point the leak. If it is the seals you will need to take the carb bodies apart and there are many pitfalls to that project and much caution should be taken.
     


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  10. alexanderx

    alexanderx Guest

    I dug a bit deeper and got fuel supplied to carbs and it does not leak at the carbs. Where the choke linkage crosses under the fuel supply "T" appears to gush out there when the pump is activated. I am thinking maybe a hole has worn through.
    Will try and get pic posted later.
     


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