They keep leaking ...and leaking ...and leaking

[xs11bobber]

It's been a while since my last post, but what can I say? Life's just thrown me a rough couple of hands I guess...
Anyway! Tinkering with my stock SF for the first time yet again, I recall last years stopping points and they haunt me into this years season.

I've got several fuel leaks with a few leads on tackling them ...with a few questions

-I've got to replace needle valves and seats

• Can I buy the vitton tipped valves and use my old seats?

• If not, where can I buy the vitton tipped thread-ins? I haven't seen them anywhere for the xs11.

I've got fuel coming from the airbox side of the carbs (1, 3, & 4), the upper body "T's" on both sides...
Is it just my float valves that's causing this? Is that going to cause my massive dollar draining experience?

I've replaced bowl gaskets and made sure to trim them back. Done the tap test to make sure a float is hanging. I know the needles and seats are all "mutted" together, but I used 'parts' from carbs both with less than 30,000 miles. Could the originals really wear that much?
Could use some help guys. I WANNA RIDE!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bobber,

The Viton float needles and seats are from the XV920 carbs, not an XS11, and you'll need to replace both seat and needle as a matched/sized set.

Next, you shouldn't have fuel coming out from your UPPER "T" vent tubes, so I'm thinking you've got something not plumbed right?? Do you still have the Octy??

Also, are the UPPER "T" tubes OPEN to vent, not plugged into each other from carb pairs or such?? IF they are clogged, the carbs WILL FLOOD.

The metal valves and seats get debris and corrosion that prevents them from sealing. You can use chrome polish on a Q-tip and polish the seat, and some very fine 0000 sand paper/emory cloth/ having a brain fart, but that super fine wet sandpaper used between paint coats, etc. to try to clean/smooth the tips of the needles, look for a groove worn around the tip!

T.C.

[xs11bobber]

Post results soon...

Had plenty of erronds to do today, figures since the weather was nice, but tomorrow (later today) is looking more promising.

I tried to find he XV920 Vitton tippers(needles and seats) on partsnmore, but they seem to be out of stock. Where else have you guy been able to get them? It must be a rare item when even the scandals over at bike bandit don't even seem to have any.

T.C - I don' have the Octy. I put in the mains and pilots recommended here for the 4/1 with Pods. I did a thurough cleaning. Found out I was missing a float valve on #1 and #3 (Thanks PO) So I used pieces from my carb box. Installed the new bowl gaskets and trimmed 'em up with a razor knife. First test had fuel everywhere. -Doesn't help that I had "referbished" petcocks leaking, but I could clearly see fuel coming from airbox side and even some from the upper airbox vented "T's". I recall this because I questioned my own capabiities when this happened and thought wtf!

Sometime around noon today I'm gonna get around to tinkering and can post any further information I can get to you.

[DGXSER]

You can try ZR1 Enterprises for the XV920 float valve and seats, or , I prefer Georgefix on ebay.

[81xsproject]

It's about $32 for a set from Z1E. Make sure you don't use the washers and seal the threads with fuel tape.

[SFerinTEXAS]

Make sure those brass floats are not leaking and taking in fuel.Some time ago I submerged 8 in gas overnight and found 4 had leaks. Floats will sink and cause flooding. PS. they can be repaired

[natemoen]

The quick and easy way to check for leaking brass floats is to boil some water and then dip the floats in the water just as you take it of the stove. If there are holes you will see bubbles coming from the hole or holes....

[xs11bobber]

My needle valve is what causes the fuel to leak from the airbox side of the carbs... correct? I still have fuel coming out of the upper carb "T's".

I'm pulling the carbs now and gonna recheck needle valves. I think I'm gonna go for that leak test on the floats as well. Viton tipped valves and seats are in the mail.

[natemoen]

Yes the needle valves being open are what causes the problem, whether it is due to leaky float valves or sunken float is what you need to figure out.

[xs11bobber]

3 of the 4 floats leak... and it figures I only have 2 good spairs

[natemoen]

It is possible to repair them but it is not easy.....

[xs11bobber]

Well, I'm thinking about buying plastic. I can get away with replacing 1 or 2 and it not affect anything, correct?

I did find some goo in #2 carb. I thought it may have been fuel that had gelled, but idk.

[natemoen]

I don't think you want to mix brass and plastic, they may float different.

[DGXSER]

I have not done it to be sure, but, you set the float height the same whether you use brass or plastic, so you should be able to mix and match and it not make any difference in how the bike runs.

While your in there, check that the vents are clear. If they have goo in them or some ancient critters remains in the tube or passages, then you will still flood with every thing else being good. But the floats seem to be your biggest concern.

[rockman]

I'll just hijack this thread for a minute as my problem is on the same topic;
One of my carbies persist with leaking badly. Fuel runs out of the pilot jet hole, and a few other places as well. So far I have -
-Replaced the float needles with Viton ones
-Replaced the floats with plastic ones and reset the float heights.
-Swapped the float and float valve from another carbie
-Checked that the float valve turns off by closing it manually with the float chamber off
-checked the float moves freely
and it still leaks
I did notice that if the float chamber screws arent done up completely that it doesnt leak.
Any suggestions? :
Phil