Need help with my 1986 Kawasaki Gpz900. Before putting away my bike for the winter last year the carb started to leak. Since then I have changed everything from the petcock to the float needle valves.

When I start the bike it only takes one try. Once it's started it runs fine, and don't leak as far as I know. Its when I turn it off when it starts leaking. I can't even tell where it is leaking from. Somewhere up close to the middle. First question I have is how does the gas get to the carb if it has a vacuum sucktioned petcock, and second is how is it leaking if I put in brand new float needles. I know it's not the petcock now, cause I took the tank off and the petcock don't leak. My guess would b a vacuum hose problem somewhere or something, but not sure. It acts like there is pressure buildup. I tried to see if leaving the gas cap open would stop it from leaking, but didn't work.

Any help would b appreciated. Thanks.

 

I assume you checked the float heights, and floats for proper settings and operation? if the floats dont float then the needles wont shut off. Are all the carbs leaking or just one or two? could be a bad seal....or just about anything else, lol.

Bah just read you couldnt see where it is leaking from, in those cases its really hard to diagnose without pulling the carbs. Let us know what you find, welcome to KF!

 

I didn't even think to check the floats to see if they even float. It was all carbs leaking until I changed the needles a few weeks ago, now it's just the 3rd, and 4th carb that I can see. I haven't changed the float heighth since I have had the bike, just figured they wouldn't go out of adjustment on their own that bad if I haven't changed them. Not really sure how to measure the height or what height they are suppose to b at. They drip from the bottom drain of the carb, but the whole float bowl is wet so I think it's coming from the middle. Maybe a float bowl gasket? Have had the carb off 3 or 4 times and didn't see anything wrong that I could tell.

Thanks for the input, will try and see if the floats work before spending any more money. Anymore ideas to try if that don't work?

 

Welcome to the forums. Your in good hands with Prom.

 

my 91 zx6 the float bowl gaskets gave way, I suggest changing all four when and if you do.

 

oh yeah welcome to KF

 

My last fuel leak was a gasket that I pinched when I put it back together, those things are a biatch if you try to reuse them.



errr....come to think of it I never fixed that. The gasket was on backorder and I just dabed some silicone on it so I could ride till it came in. Guess I need to make a phone call...

 

I think it's fixed! I put some new gaskets in it yesterday, and rode it all day today with no leak.

Thanks guys for all the help.

 

Woohoo, another satisfied customer.
Where are the pics???

 

nicely done. Congrats on the fix and welcome to KF