Leaking fuel after storage. Stuck Floats?
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I pulled the (new to me last season) 2000 W650 out of storage.?
I had drained the bowls before I put it away. -- I know this hadn't been done for years, and the bike needs the choke on warm-up, which (given other threads) seems to be a common issue perhaps related to carbs overdue for a cleaning.? Pulled it out, left the petcock on prime for a minute (or two) while checking other things. Carbs overfilled and gas started spilling from the overflow tube connected to the plastic T that runs between them. I turned the petcock to "run," drained the bowls, gave them a tap with a screwdriver handle, but when I crank the engine they continue to overfill and spill gas from the overflow tube. A: The bike is new to me and I'm not familiar with the "prime" function on the carbs. Did I bring this on myself? B: Is there anything else I can/should try before I resort to pull/clean the carbs hoping that the floats/seats were just hung up on a bit of sediment? I know it hasn't been done in years, but. . . this bike is half the age of the rest of the stable and it's a discouraging start to the season. |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýSorry about your issue, however let's get some more info. Setting the petcock to prime fills the carb bowls, drawing fuel from that source. The stock petcock is vaccum operated so you may leave it with the On position. Now, fuel leakage may indicate that
the petcock seals or the unit itself is failing, no cause for alarm.
Id double check that and confirm. Tearing into carbs is not always good for inexperienced people or always necessary and carb removal/installation is one of the very few 'issues' this bike has.
I would change the oil prior to even starting it because running it with any gas in the oil thins it and can cause damage to the motor.
If you require a petcock rebuild it usually is more cost effective to source a new petcock. Previous owner of my ride installed a manual fuel shutoff for any just in case moments.?
The W is such a well engineered ride, it is a no BS no frills bike that runs like a champ if ridden consistently and complete basic recommended maintenance. We have some owners with over 100,000k on the clock still running strong.
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of reynoldscycle@... <reynoldscycle@...>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 2:54 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [W650Riders] Leaking fuel after storage. Stuck Floats? ?
I pulled the (new to me last season) 2000 W650 out of storage.?
I had drained the bowls before I put it away. -- I know this hadn't been done for years, and the bike needs the choke on warm-up, which (given other threads) seems to be a common issue perhaps related to carbs overdue for a cleaning.? Pulled it out, left the petcock on prime for a minute (or two) while checking other things. Carbs overfilled and gas started spilling from the overflow tube connected to the plastic T that runs between them. I turned the petcock to "run," drained the bowls, gave them a tap with a screwdriver handle, but when I crank the engine they continue to overfill and spill gas from the overflow tube. A: The bike is new to me and I'm not familiar with the "prime" function on the carbs. Did I bring this on myself? B: Is there anything else I can/should try before I resort to pull/clean the carbs hoping that the floats/seats were just hung up on a bit of sediment? I know it hasn't been done in years, but. . . this bike is half the age of the rest of the stable and it's a discouraging start to the season. |
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?Setting the petcock to prime fills the carb bowls, drawing fuel from that source. The stock petcock is vaccum operated so you may leave it with the On position. Now, fuel leakage may indicate that the petcock seals or the unit itself is failing, no cause for alarm.
?
Id double check that and confirm. Tearing into carbs is not always good for inexperienced people or always necessary and carb removal/installation is one of the very few 'issues' this bike has.
I would change the oil prior to even starting it because running it with any gas in the oil thins it and can cause damage to the motor.
?
If you require a petcock rebuild it usually is more cost effective to source a new petcock. Previous owner of my ride installed a manual fuel shutoff for any just in case moments.?
The W is such a well engineered ride, it is a no BS no frills bike that runs like a champ if ridden consistently and complete basic recommended maintenance. We have some owners with over 100,000k on the clock still running strong. |
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If you are running any form of Ethanol blended gas and it has been sitting in the carbs for any length of time you need to take apart your carbs and clean them, that stuff ruins small engine carburators! You can buy ethanol free gas at most marinas and is a website locator for stations that sell ethanol free gas, I won't run anything else in my bike's. Alohapaul
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:08:58 AM HST, Jeffrey Alexander <jseconds77@...> wrote:
?Setting the petcock to prime fills the carb bowls, drawing fuel from that source. The stock petcock is vaccum operated so you may leave it with the On position. Now, fuel leakage may indicate that the petcock seals or the unit itself is failing, no cause for alarm.
?
Id double check that and confirm. Tearing into carbs is not always good for inexperienced people or always necessary and carb removal/installation is one of the very few 'issues' this bike has.
I would change the oil prior to even starting it because running it with any gas in the oil thins it and can cause damage to the motor.
?
If you require a petcock rebuild it usually is more cost effective to source a new petcock. Previous owner of my ride installed a manual fuel shutoff for any just in case moments.?
The W is such a well engineered ride, it is a no BS no frills bike that runs like a champ if ridden consistently and complete basic recommended maintenance. We have some owners with over 100,000k on the clock still running strong.
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Just a follow up, it sounds like your petcock is working, turning the fuel on and off so I would suspect the float valve's are the problem. Even if the petcock is stuck open the floats should shut off the fuel flow. Alohapaul
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 01:56:43 PM HST, Paul via groups.io <baillieandsons@...> wrote:
If you are running any form of Ethanol blended gas and it has been sitting in the carbs for any length of time you need to take apart your carbs and clean them, that stuff ruins small engine carburators! You can buy ethanol free gas at most marinas and is a website locator for stations that sell ethanol free gas, I won't run anything else in my bike's. Alohapaul
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:08:58 AM HST, Jeffrey Alexander <jseconds77@...> wrote:
?Setting the petcock to prime fills the carb bowls, drawing fuel from that source. The stock petcock is vaccum operated so you may leave it with the On position. Now, fuel leakage may indicate that the petcock seals or the unit itself is failing, no cause for alarm.
?
Id double check that and confirm. Tearing into carbs is not always good for inexperienced people or always necessary and carb removal/installation is one of the very few 'issues' this bike has.
I would change the oil prior to even starting it because running it with any gas in the oil thins it and can cause damage to the motor.
?
If you require a petcock rebuild it usually is more cost effective to source a new petcock. Previous owner of my ride installed a manual fuel shutoff for any just in case moments.?
The W is such a well engineered ride, it is a no BS no frills bike that runs like a champ if ridden consistently and complete basic recommended maintenance. We have some owners with over 100,000k on the clock still running strong.
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Thanks -- the vacuum petcock is a mystery to me, but if the fact that it isn't creating a puddle until I turn over is evidence that it's working correctly, i guess that does leave me with the floats.?
Other than the 'love tap' does anyone suggestions that might spare me the teardown? I've done the carbs on my older CBs, but I was hoping not to need to 'learn about' these so quickly. At least there's only two of them.? any chance I'll be able to get away with re-using the existing o-rings/brass, etc. or am i prying open the wallet and the bowls? |
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Oh yeah! Fellow ex-pat classic CB450 classic owner. Lemme tell ya, both these bikes are similar but I left 1,000 mi oil changes, ignition timings, and carb jet cleanings behind :)?
The W carbs are BS-free but riding it consistently is key, as well as starting it bi-weekly in the off season. I have had great success with Star-Tron fuel enzyme cleaner and use 93 octane, and for my paranoia, buy gas from the same stations. If the lazy float love tap fails, and fuel leakage persists, I think you are left with no choice but to inspect the carbs inside. So....you have the W shop manual?? Again, nobody seems to say the carb removal/reinstall is easy; actually thought the CB carb removal was quite easy. |
@CrustopherRobin
Jeffrey Alexander
Paul