carbs flooding into air box

[bdw72]

I am desperate to get my bike running, I have a 82 xj1100. Sometime back I put some carb cleaner in my tank and only ran it a few miles, didn't run out the tank. After I started it up a few days later it ran a little while then flooded out and gas poured from air box. After spending much money in a so called repair shop it is still doing the very same thing. I have the carbs off and been trying to read and learn all I can, but I am really not sure where to start. I have a few pics if you can help please do.

[oldyam80sg]

Tap on the float bowls with a screwdriver handle-maybe the carb cleaner knocked some sludge loose and the floats cant close.

[DGXSER]

As to sorting out your carbs, here is a link to good thread for seeing what is what in there.

As to your problem. Well, fuel is flowing past the float needle valves after the bowls are full. Which means something is holding them open, which is usually dirt from the tank.

My best suggestion is to pull the carbs, clean and or replace the float bowl needle valve and seat. Also, add in line fuel filters between your tank and the carbs to keep this from coming up again.

[bdw72]

they were supposedly rebuilt, I have them off should I put them back on and try this?

[WMarshy]

Sounds like the classic leaky float needle valve and/or the petcocks issue. One thing to look for is make sure your engine oil isnt filled with gas. Some times, depending if it sitting flat or slightly down hill, the leaky carbs drain forward and fill the oil with gas. If that happens and you start the bike and let if run for a min the pressure builds up in the crank case and it can push the oil/gas up the vent hose and into the carb box. If this happens you have to take the carbs off and reclean them. Take some time to read about "flooded air box" threads, and understand you usually have more than one problem. Leaky petcocks (if they flood when the bike sits, non running) and float valves that are not sealing. I would rap the side/bottom of each carb with the screwdriver first thing. GL

[bdw72]

thanks I am going to clean them good and then see if this works and then try to tapping on them.

[malloryduck93]

carb

about your carbs take the tops off and look at your diafram and see if trere ripped i had the same problem with mine it would flud gas right out of the air box

[motoman]

More importantly.......keep it OUT of a shop! Learn from the knowlege here and fix it yourself, or at the least with help from someone here! If you plan on keeping it and want it to run proper for you for a long time your gonna have to "learn" the bike......so just start with jumping in with both feet......carefully!

[WMarshy]

Leaking carbs like that has everything to do with the float height and float valves not sealing than it does the diaphragms. The diaphragms only raise the needle when vacume it applied. But they are worthing taking a look at for any holes. Also make sure all the needles are at the same clip height when your in there.

[petejw]

a quick way i go about checking leaking floats,
while the carbs are off, remove the float bowls,
turn the carbs upside down, now put ur mouth around
one of the fuel inlets and blow, with the carbs upside down
the floats should be fully seated, if you can blow any air, u can
hear and see it coming out from the needle and seat, you can then
tilt the carbs back and forth a little, this will open and close the floats,
do the same for the other 2 carbs, if there are no leaks, replace
the bowls and repeat the above procedure to ensure the floats
arent sticking with the bowls on, ive done it this way for years
without any problems.
If you have later model carbs there is also an o ring that sits
under the seat that can also leak.

[bdw72]

WOW thanks alot. I am definitely going to do all future repairs myself, especially with all the friendly help and knowledge here. I hope to get time this week to start, thanks again.

[CatatonicBug]

about your carbs take the tops off and look at your diafram and see if trere ripped i had the same problem with mine it would flud gas right out of the air box

If you're going to clean the carbs, this is a mandatory step anyway. You have to remove the diaphragms to get the emulsion tubes out. Make sure you remove EVERYTHING that will come out and clean all the tiny passages with carb cleaner and compressed air. The tiniest piece of gunk will mess up the whole works, and make you more frustrated than you were when you started.

[bdw72]

well I thank you for all the great help. I have it running very well as of now any way. The quick fix of turning carbs upside down and blowing, would have done the trick. Had one not seated, but went ahead and took them apart and clean them anyway. Now there are a few more things I will need to do in the future, but as I can see there is more help than I can imagine. Once again thanks so glad to be able to ride.

[bdw72]

guess was to good to be true. It will run great for a little while, than starts cutting out and almost feels like it is out of gas, after I stop a moment it will run again. I will be reading post and trying find out any similar problems, but was hoping someone may have a clue of what it might be.

[CatatonicBug]

Try running it with the fuel cap open. If the problem goes away, you may have a clogged fuel cap vent. Also be sure your fuel lines are not kinked.