Leaking carbs

[wilcom]

I have a leaky condition from each carb.

I am getting a hydro lock when starting from fuel leaking into the cylinder. Both sides,  as I can see leaky wetness on the header pipes close to the motor on both sides.

Question...... How does this differ from the old "wet boot syndrome" with leaky floats seats?

Yes, I leave the petcocks on most of the time,,,,, been trying to remember to turn them/it off for 50 years.... I'll keep trying

[Barry]

Question...... How does this differ from the old "wet boot syndrome" with leaky floats seats?

Old heavy floats eventually cause the the float bowls to overflow but more common is the float valve just doesn't seal either due to age of the rubber tips or debris on the valve seat. Even a very slight leak overtime could cause a problem if the taps are left on.  I think 99% of owners shut the fuel tap off. Unless they forget very occasionally as I have done and gotten away with it.

The real issue for you is whatever the cause of excess fuel level in the bowls it should go out the overflow (wet boot syndrome) before it goes into the cylinders so the overflow tubes need investigation as well as the float valves. More curious still is that you have both sides leaking.

   

[wilcom]

More curious still is that you have both sides leaking.

I thought also,  "what's the chance of that?"

Thanks for your input Barry, when I take them apart I will check the overflow for blockage first thing. I can't take them apart now as I am doing a water pump(a real PITA) on the Dodge van and need something around to use. I'll change the oil in case of contamination and get to it in a week or so.

Thanks again

[Bob_Roller]

Are you parking the bike on the sidestand ??

[wilcom]

Are you parking the bike on the sidestand ??

I'm about 50/50 use of the side stand,,, it was on the side stand for 4-5 days when I noticed it doing bad things.

[Bob_Roller]

I wonder if there is an after market vacuum operated valve you could place in the fuel line after the fuel tap ??

[wilcom]

I wonder if there is an after market vacuum operated valve you could place in the fuel line after the fuel tap ??

I'm sure there is. I might have ordered something and have it in a box around here. I remember researching the vacuum cut offs, after market and OEM for other bikes.

Yes... I do remember ordering them but when I got them I couldn't figure out a "sano" way to mount them. I probably set them back on the shelf 10 or more years ago and went on with something more pressing at the time and never got back to it.

The biggest issue I had with turning the fuel off is that I NEVER could remember to turn the darn tap back on either! So while setting at the first intersection I would run out of fuel and be stalled in the traffic. I think  forgetting to turn  them off is the lesser of two evils for me.

[Bob_Roller]

Joe, try putting the bike on the center stand and turn off the fuel tap and see what happens .

[wilcom]

Joe, try putting the bike on the center stand and turn off the fuel tap and see what happens .

I had it out for a 30 mile run to the DMV. I parked it in the garage , center stand, with tap off..... surely what fuel is in the bowl won't find a way to climb out. but lets see how much is in the fuel filter after a couple of days......that filter is about 1/2 a bowl worth

[Barry]

I wouldn't worry if a small amount disappears over a week or so as that will just be evaporation loss.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi,

You also need to take apart the petcock.  I have seen the internal surfaces so corroded that it Was still passing fuel even though it was in the off position. 

Constantly Contaminating the oil with gasoline Is going to cause other problems eventually.   

[Bob_Roller]

I've also gotten into the habit of turning the fuel tap off just before getting to work, home were ever the bike will be parked for an extended time .

I do this on the airheads and the Guzzi .

[wilcom]

I took "Herr Head" out today and turned on the petcock took a little bit to fill the fuel filter. The Fuel filter was down about 1/2 way. Looking for gremlins, but normally I wouldn't think anything about the tank giving the system a little glug glug when the tap was opened.

No wetness at the header pipes. it was cool today 50F and it wanted a little choke so the cylinders weren't full of fuel.

I check the dipstick and the oil looked great was still between the fill marks. I'm going to remember to keep the petcocks off and check the float valves and the over flow tube real good when I get a chance to take them apart.

Thanks for all the ideas