Carburetor Leak
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
Carburetor Leak
Hi all,
I have a '93 KLX 650c
The carburetor overflow nipple on the bottom constantly leaks when the bike isn't running. When I turn the fuel off on the petcock, the leak obviously stops.
In my research I've seen that this is usually an issue with the float needle sitting too high. However, I've also read that a petcock vacuum seal could be the cause.
Is there any way of knowing which it is? Which is easiest to check/fix first? Any advice on how to proceed?
I have a '93 KLX 650c
The carburetor overflow nipple on the bottom constantly leaks when the bike isn't running. When I turn the fuel off on the petcock, the leak obviously stops.
In my research I've seen that this is usually an issue with the float needle sitting too high. However, I've also read that a petcock vacuum seal could be the cause.
Is there any way of knowing which it is? Which is easiest to check/fix first? Any advice on how to proceed?
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
A little bit more info:
It isn't a slight leak, gasoline flows freely out of the overflow valve if the petcock is set to open.
The bike runs great and does not leak at all when running. Drove it all over town yesterday with no problems except for the leak when the bike is stopped.
I tried turning the fuel off, starting the bike, letting it die, and then tapping/shaking the carb to try to free the float needle, but no luck.
It isn't a slight leak, gasoline flows freely out of the overflow valve if the petcock is set to open.
The bike runs great and does not leak at all when running. Drove it all over town yesterday with no problems except for the leak when the bike is stopped.
I tried turning the fuel off, starting the bike, letting it die, and then tapping/shaking the carb to try to free the float needle, but no luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,650
From: Delaware, Ohio
1st Gear Member
That nipple/hose on the bottom of the carb is NOT an over flow, it is the drain. You unscrew the screw to drain the carb float bowl, otherwise it is seated closed.
Your drain needle or seat on the bottom must be damaged. One way to see if it is only that needle would be to pull the hose end up out to the side and raise the end above the float level. That will stop the flow as the level in the hose will seek the same level as that in the float bowl, unless the float needle/seat is damaged or has another issue.. Where it stops will indicate float level. If the float needle is not working the gas will rise above the float bowl and out of the drain since it will be lower than the fuel level in the tank. That will tell if you have a damaged drain or if there may be crud in it allowing gas to flow out.
Post again here when you check that out to let me know what you learned. I'm curious. .
If that doesn't solve the issue I'd recommend you go to either the Yahoo KLX650 group or to the ADVrider.com forum in the Thumper thread, posting in the KLX650 riders UNITE thread. They are very active. I have a 95 650C and am a moderator at the Yahoo group. It isn't an easy forum to negotiate, but the search works well and the files are somewhat extensive. Check them out. Lots of help possible.
Your drain needle or seat on the bottom must be damaged. One way to see if it is only that needle would be to pull the hose end up out to the side and raise the end above the float level. That will stop the flow as the level in the hose will seek the same level as that in the float bowl, unless the float needle/seat is damaged or has another issue.. Where it stops will indicate float level. If the float needle is not working the gas will rise above the float bowl and out of the drain since it will be lower than the fuel level in the tank. That will tell if you have a damaged drain or if there may be crud in it allowing gas to flow out.
Post again here when you check that out to let me know what you learned. I'm curious. .
If that doesn't solve the issue I'd recommend you go to either the Yahoo KLX650 group or to the ADVrider.com forum in the Thumper thread, posting in the KLX650 riders UNITE thread. They are very active. I have a 95 650C and am a moderator at the Yahoo group. It isn't an easy forum to negotiate, but the search works well and the files are somewhat extensive. Check them out. Lots of help possible.
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
Post again here when you check that out to let me know what you learned. I'm curious. .
If that doesn't solve the issue I'd recommend you go to either the Yahoo KLX650 group or to the ADVrider.com forum in the Thumper thread, posting in the KLX650 riders UNITE thread. They are very active. I have a 95 650C and am a moderator at the Yahoo group. It isn't an easy forum to negotiate, but the search works well and the files are somewhat extensive. Check them out. Lots of help possible.
If that doesn't solve the issue I'd recommend you go to either the Yahoo KLX650 group or to the ADVrider.com forum in the Thumper thread, posting in the KLX650 riders UNITE thread. They are very active. I have a 95 650C and am a moderator at the Yahoo group. It isn't an easy forum to negotiate, but the search works well and the files are somewhat extensive. Check them out. Lots of help possible.
I decided to drop the bike off at the shop for a full post-purchase inspection so I'm not missing anything important/dangerous/damaging.
I still plan on doing any simple repairs myself, but wanted professional knowledge applied before I dove in.
I'm sure I'll be in contact in the future!
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