Leaking sidestand

[blue giant]

Ok, now I'm confused!

Had problems with my carbs filling the air box and oil pan with raw fuel. After cleaning the carbs (umpteen times) and finaly relacing the needle and seat assemblies (worn out o-rings) I was sure I had my fuel problems solved.............................until Sunday morning when I placed the bike on it's side stand for the first time since my carb work. In no time I had a puddle of gas on the floor under the bike.

What should I check for now?

Thanks,

Paul

[randy]

UM...

Loose bowl screws?

Old bowl gaskets?

Where is the fuel leaking from?

[prometheus578]

"Needle and seat."

I mean... you did put fuel to the carbs and bench tested them for leaks before putting them back and the bike, right?

An over full fuel take with a leaky gas cap.

Incorrect float height.

Would seem petcocks not shutting off... and the float needles not doin' their job, either.

[dbeardslee]

As you've already replaced the needle and seats, I'm with Prom on the petcocks. You might also check the bolts that hold the petcocks on. If the little gaskets under the bolts are bad it can leak from there. Can also leak where the petcock meets the tank. Feel the bottom of the gas tank close to the petcocks - if it's damp on the bottom of the tank it may be leaking there. Mine was leaking there so I cut a gasket to use in conjunction with the o'ring and some small neoprene washers under the bolts and it stopped the leaks. If your petcocks are bad (internal) it may stop the flow of gas when the tank is low, but leak when the tank is full due to the increased pressure. Can you tell where the gas is coming from?

[egsols]

Hey Paul,


I had the same problem with my '79 last year and after making sure the carb vent lines were clear it dissappeared.

It came back this year again and I tore the carbs down, cleaned, adjusted, re-installed and problem seems to be gone again.

One thing I did not check was the bouancy of each float. I have the brass floats and never set up the lines to check float fuel levels. I am planning on taking the carbs out again and putting the floats in hot water to check for leaks and also to see how they all "float". I will definitely run clear lines from the bowls to double check the fuel level as I'm thinking the 25.7mm setting with the micrometer might not be sufficient with the old brass floats.

[blue giant]

I'll have another look tonite.

It just seems strange to me why the carbs would leak when the bike is on the side stand and not leak when on the center stand.

[prometheus578]

"Yeah, man... I know where you're coming from."

The carbs are leaking.. filling the airbox a bit when level. Lean it on it's side, and it spills out.
You still haven't said where it's coming from.
Incorrect fuel level... too high or a bad float bowl gasket. On center stand, fuel is uniformly at one level in the bowl. On side stand, due to lean, fuel is much higher on one side.
(Carbs #1 and #2 always have more sediment in their bowls than #'s 3 and 4. Bike is always leaning to the left. When sediment settles out of the fuel in the tank, which side to you think most of it settles to?)

[blue giant]

Actually Prom,

Since I replaced the needle and seat assemblies there have been no leaks.

I should clarify that this is on the XJ which has the soft tip needles. I do understand what you're saying as far as more fuel on one side.

I'll try and see where it's coming from exactly and report back!

Thanks,

Paul

[John]

Any chance that the leak is at the fuel T fittings between the carbs? The rubber is old, and after pivoting them when moving the fuel lines around, they may have developed a leak.

[egsols]

Check oil for fuel in it. If there is then there will also be fuel in the air box which will point to floats. If no fuel in oil but in airbox then could be leaking from tank/petcocks and running in. If no fuel in airbox but on motor most likely bad lines/tees.

My 2.04 cents worth (Canadian funds)

[79XS11F]

Hey Paul ... I would check at the fuel supply "T"s as well. This is a weak link in the carb setup. Now to my limited carb knowledge 1 & 2 are shared as are 3 & 4 but 3 & 4 can't leak into 1 & 2. On my Katana 3 was leaking at the UN-HOSED air vent that connects 3 & 4 and the fuel run down the carb bracket, down # 1 carb bowl and flowed off the drain plug. So #3 was leaking and it looked like #1.
Put her on main stand and dry everything off real good. let her sit and check for leaks. if good then put her over on side stand and check very carefully for the source of the leak. If no leak can be found coming from the carb bodies the nit's likely crap blocking your new O-ring / needles. Are you running a fuel filter?
Rob

[blue giant]

Well the Prize goes to John and Rob!

Wasn't the carbs at all, all though with all the gas all over everything it was hard tell.

Wasn't a tee leaking but a cracked fuel line at the right side petcock. (actaully I think I probably damaged it at some point pulling it off to repair the carbs.)

I think the fact that it didn't start to leak untill I put it on the side stand was merely a coincedence.

Thanks for the help folks!

You too Prom!