leaking carburetor

[bernyboy]

On my 1984 GL1200 Standard the right front carb was leaking. So I have taken the carbs off the bike, cleaned them all up ( removed the parts, cleaned them with carb cleaner and air, inspected them - everything looked good ), and put everything back together. I bench tested the rack and it is still leaking from the right front carb. I could not see anything different about that one carb. I am waiting for float-bowl gaskets that I ordered, though I could not see any issue with the gasket that is on the leaky carb. Meanwhile, I am looking for any suggestions. What confuses me is that I can't see anything different about that one carb.

[rrod1393]

Where is it leaking from? If its leaking from the bowl gasket, then a new gasket is needed. I would recommend replacing them all now anyway since they are so cheap. I just did mine for $29 for a complete rebuild kit off ebay. If its leaking from the fuel tube between two carbs then you need to replace the o-rings. If its leaking from the venturi then the needle and seat should be inspected/cleaned/replaced.

[Maz]

And if it's leaking from the drain screw, a new copper washer is needed.
Maz

[bernyboy]

Best I can tell it is leaking from the gasket. Like I say, I ordered a set a while ago and they should be here any day and I will replace them all. Meanwhile, I tried switching out the float bowls (with their gaskets) on the two right-side carbs. The leak is still from the same (right front) carb, though it seems like a slower leak. Then, I switched out the floats and the needles and the leak seemed to stay the same. I have cleaned and inspected all the needles and seats and they all look good. Overall, the leak is much slower than when I first noticed it. I am hoping new gaskets will do it. The wetness appears to be along the gasket line but also above it a bit. I'm thinking the gas might seep out at the gasket and climb the wall that little bit. there is no wetness on the fuel tube between the carbs.

[rrod1393]

Try cleaning the gasket mating surfaces with steel wool or scotchbrite pad.

[bernyboy]

My new gaskets arrived. I did lightly go over the mating surfaces on the carbs with a fine emery cloth. I used a little grease to hold the gaskets in place in their grooves. When I started tightening down the screws I could tell these gaskets were going to make a difference. The old gaskets by comparison were pretty flat and hard. So I installed them all and set up my bench test. NO LEAKS!!! I'm leaving the test on overnight and will put the carbs on the bike tomorrow. I am very pleased because from what I read it seems sometimes to take a lot of chasing to find the leak(s).

[rrod1393]

Nice work. Glad it worked out. Did you replace the fuel lines yet. Fuel filter?

[DenverWinger]

While the carbs are still on the bench might be worthwhile verifying float settings....

[rrod1393]

YES! Very important. Had no idea just how important float height really was until I checked mine and found it was low. Bike runs so much better on cold start up. Vacuum sync helped a bunch too. All of these small steps are worth spending the extra time doing while you're there.

[bernyboy]

I did replace the fuel lines. I used this clear, yellow plastic line that they all use for ATV's and snowmobiles around here. I used 3/16" I.D. and it was a tight fit but I think will work very well. The 3/16" is bigger then the I.D. of my T fitting where the gas line splits to right and left carbs, so I don't think I have to worry about the lines being too small. My new fuel filter has not arrived yet. I will change that when it does. Meanwhile, I backwashed the old filter. I ran carb cleaner and gas through it in reverse and blew low pressure air through in reverse, too, and collected it all in a jar which had quite a few fine particles settle out.
I synced the carbs, using the four gauge setup. They were not too far off to start with, and synced nicely.
We went for a short ride and to do some practising in a parking lot. The bike runs better then it ever has in the time I have owned it. What's more, there is no smell of gas in the garage where it is parked, which has always been a problem. Visual inspection reveals no leaks.
I didn't do anything about checking float levels. I did inspect all the floats and they were all fine and I read a bit about checking float levels but the process was never clear to me and I kind of forgot to pursue it. It would seem to me that I am a little lucky because, as I say, it is running very well.

[rrod1393]

Great to hear. I've gone through my own struggles with these carbs trying to bring the bike back to life after the PO let it sit outside from eight years. I feel like I only recently have things dialed in....until something else goes.