setting/tuning air mixture screw

[alaskey2]

The mixture screws were all pointy. Can I try pulling the bowl on the #3 carb and get to the float needle without pulling all the carbs?

Don't smell any gas in the oil, but I'm overdue for a change anyway. I'll get a filter along with some new sparkplugs (cylinder #2 is oily/grimey). It's shaping up to be a fun winter!

[TopCatGr58]

The mixture screws were all pointy. Can I try pulling the bowl on the #3 carb and get to the float needle without pulling all the carbs?

Don't smell any gas in the oil, but I'm overdue for a change anyway. I'll get a filter along with some new sparkplugs (cylinder #2 is oily/grimey). It's shaping up to be a fun winter!

You probably can, but why bother when you should just take the carbs off anyways....because it sounds like you need to do a thorough cleaning anyways. You already stated that the pilot screws did not want to screw down the same amount, yet they all have their points and are the same length....which indicates corrosion or varnish preventing the screws from reachng the same depth when test fitting them. The leaky #3 carb is probably the tip of the iceberg.....good chance you may also experience leaks or problems with the other carbs in the near future, so why not just pull them to do a proper tear down and cleaning....ON THE BENCH. Much easier on your back/neck and less likely to damage the carbs trying to access the parts from underneath while on the engine. The valve seat can't be accessed without first removing the float...and the float pin can be tenuous to get out without the risk of breaking the float post. Then you need to soak the float seat/needle in carb cleaner, actuating the float pin occasionally to ensure it's moving freely, not sticking. Then you can also polish the valve seat contact area as well as the float needle to help ensure a good seal.

So...our suggestion is just take the carbs off and do it right/completely instead of piecemealing one symptom after the next. But it's up to you.
You can tear them down now, or later after much more frustrating problems and performance issues arrise.

T.C.

[alaskey2]

Yeah, I was hoping to get it running for the last few weeks of enjoyable riding and then I'll do a full cleaning of the carbs come winter. In Chicago, we have a saying, "There is a time for riding, and there is a time for wrenching" right now it's time to ride.

[mack]

I understand

your desire to ride as much as possible before the winter hits up here, but if the bike is sick, then the odds are more likely you will wind up riding for a short time but waqlking a long didtance after you strand yourself on the side of a road.
Follow TC's advice and take the carbs off and clean them properly. I will only take a couple days to do them right, then you can ride the balance of the season with confidence.

[motoman]

your desire to ride as much as possible before the winter hits up here, but if the bike is sick, then the odds are more likely you will wind up riding for a short time but waqlking a long didtance after you strand yourself on the side of a road.
Follow TC's advice and take the carbs off and clean them properly. I will only take a couple days to do them right, then you can ride the balance of the season with confidence.

........and not risk a backfire into airbox with unknown fuel laying in it.......ignition there could end more than a partial riding season ......and has happened on here more than once .