Fuel leaking out of carbs - 600f2/3 1995

[blinky]

Hi guys,

Fired up this bad boy yesterday, putting the biggest grin on my face...
...but not for long...

Took it around the block but it then started to flood gasoline all down my leg so i had to pull over fast, ha! So, turned the tap off but it then wouldnt even start, so i had to push it back... boooo!
However it then started 10mins later... where i was able to find the hose leaking fuel.

Bike has been sitting outside for more than 2years sadly...

Pretty sure its carb 1 or 2 flooding... hmm due to float stuck (from stale petrol etc.)??

is there a quick/temporary fix for this please?
Seafoam??
Blasting any crap out of the carbs by not taking them out of the bike?? hmm either by compressed air (after removing tank of course), or by revving the engine more high??
((i really dont want to have to take the carbs out! **gulp** ))

OR im guessing one of the hoses could be 'worn'/pinched/routed badly?
Maybe i seated the airbox badly? (il double check that tomorow).
breather or overflow hoses from tank related?
is there a fuel pump i should check/open/inspect?

Safe to 'clamp' the leaking hose?? to increase pressure in the carb (or will this damage it)

PHOTOS ATTACHED (red line=leaking)

----
I started with replacing the battery, emptying the tank completely then put 4L inside, opened and wd40'd both left and ride hand switches, incl throttle and choke cables...
Drained the carbs (dark green fuel came out, ew!), checked the air box, filter and throttle valves to see if theyre moving together in line.
Sprayed carb and brake cleaner down each intake hoping some will get into the carbs!
*didnt take carbs out.
*didnt check spark plugs.
*didnt check regulator or electrics, but they seem ok!
*didnt change oil (not yet).

++ Bike fired up with half choke and little throttle, but needed constant tinkering with idle and choke. (little stubborn)

-------

limited tools, but i can do most jobs myself and am a keen learner. i have a manual but still unsure if this model is f2 or f3. doesnt matter imminently.

cheers very much
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[mudcow007]

take carbs out, clean em

check float needles for wear (mine leaked from there)

check floats move easily etc

reset/ check float height

might be worth sniffing the oil too, it "might" be full of motion lotion

refit carbs...bobs your auntys nephew

[blinky]

Ok cheers mate!

There really isnt anything else i can try before i go that route?
I just put some redex fuel cleaner in the bike last night and idled it whilst clamping the hose to flood that carb, so it might work... but pushing my luck eh!
Will check it tomorrow.

If i do remove carbs, i then need to make sure i can get 'original' (new or 2nd hand) parts beforehand right?

such as, like you said, a new float... but also possibly carb boot/s and various carb seals/o-rings..

This is my first time, so forgive my hesitance!

I should come up with a nice degreasing dip to soak the carbs in too right? i recall many debating over the best mix.... what would you suggest? diesel mixed with carb cleaner spray??

Do i really need compressed air? The same stuff used for Computer/electronics cleaning? Theyre like £14 or $20 a can!
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[temeluchus]

[mudcow007]

Me personally I wouldn't bother trying anything else except cleaning the carbs out - one of the joys of owning a carb running bike....

Carb or brake cleaner for doing the insides of your carbs - its cheap

As above poster said, you can use acetone but it swells seals etc so best to avoid rubbery bits)

My bike was manky when i got it (still is) carbs were blocked solid with old fuel an general crap, a few bottles of carb/ brake cleaner an it was good to go - its good practise taking them to bits anyways

Ideally use an airline from a compressor is how I do mine - know a mechanic or anyone with a garage?

oh an get some pictures up

good luck

[blinky]

Ok cheers guys...

Fowlers! THats Bristol's main dealer... Cool! Not the cheapest place, but if i need original parts quick, theyre the best place.

Il get right on the search for acetone then i guess.... hmm i wonder if i can put the whole carbs as a whole into the acetone? ..or is there rubber seals i would need to remove?

or i give to a shop or someone to ultrasonically clean them.... but i have to fully dismantle the carbs if i go that route... im still deciding on this.
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[stinkwheel]

[Commuter_Tim]

[blinky]

hi guys... finally got back to sorting the bike. (life distractions here)

right....
I got the carbs off eventually (had to borrow a crowbar from a friend to get them off!!) ...anyways, carb no. 1 and 3 were nasty inside, but needle valves seem ok... so i dont know why carbs are flooding! ....soo i will still go ahead and clean them!
unfortunately the screws on the float bowls and diaphrams were overtightened/old so when i tried to open them the soft metal just melted/came away... so il have to buy new screws all-round, and also an air filter as it fell apart when i checked it.

1. ive got the metal parts (3 jet bits for each carb) soaking in carb cleaner for 2days now, and the rest (floats n pin-valves) in fresh petrol.

2. the carb body ive actually left it in 8L of cola and lemon juice.... apparently this is a good cleaner and obv wont affect rubber parts.
3. I will then remove the carb body from there and use carb cleaner on important metal parts...
4. Then i wasnt sure if the carb cleaner will evaporate off enough, so i was then going to soak the carb body in hot water w strong washing up liquid, for a night.
...then change the water for PLAIN water to flush any contaminants out.
...air dry for a couple days or more.
...reassemble carbs and put back on bike (praying no problems here).

Hope my procedure of cleaning is ok.

i do have pics, but i think you guys understand everything hehe!

il report back with results shortly!


ERRR can i ask, i loosened the 4 diaphragm caps only, but didnt open them yet.... is it ok to leave them alone generally? (i dont want to risk getting them out/damaging them).
Oh, and can i apply carb cleaner to these?? (i think it would harm the plastic surely?)

cheers muchos!
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[pompousporcup...]

Did you leave the diaphragms/needle in when dunking the lot in cola?

If they're now covered in a sticky cola mess they will need to come out and cleaned.

[blinky]

ERMM something a little troubling has come up!

my jets that i removed from each carb (3 bits), ...no. 1 and 4 should be one size, and 2 and 3 should be another, right??

it was only when i went to the local bike shop to blow air through them that someone mentioned this to me... and was astonished to find that ALL of my jets are the same size!! (checked the serials on each)

is this a big deal?
...maybe just decreases performance slightly??, but cant be that bad, as i was riding it a few years ago with no serious problems.
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[pompousporcup...]

did it run right with those yets in? If yes then there isnt an issue and you can just reassemble carbs.

I think some carbs have different size jets to account for intake manifold design where 2 cylinders are linked and one of those cylinders gets more air than the other *




*just a guess there

[stinkwheel]

[blinky]

Yup, it was a little rocket back when i bought it a few years ago... i think its had at least 15 owners (according to the log book!!)... which suggests anyhting could have been done to it frankly.

i picked it up ridic cheap back then, and got to test it before buying. it ran well and went in a straight line.... so was a steal for what i paid


anyways, already reassembled everything, and will test it on Tuesday... now for a nice looong easter weekend away!

cheers guys, happy riding, and happy easter!
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000

[-]

Just a quick one, but if the bikes been sitting there could be all sorts of crus or rust in the tank. I'd completely drain the tank and swill out a few times with fuel, then fit a decent size inline filter on the fuel hose between tank and carbs.

If any debris, rust or grit gets as far as the float needle it will stop it sealing and you're back to square one.

It's amazing how much crap gathers in those clear filters after a few months.
____________________
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Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[blinky]

Great news!! just to update everyone.....

BIKE IS RUNNING OK NOW!!!

...and sweeter than ever... like a little rocket on steroids. I'll actually have to get used to this bike all over again. Not the most comfortable but still a nice blast whilst getting around.
Next up, the MOT!!

cheers mate... i was considering getting the in-line filter... but just washed out the tank twice and shook it furiously over a drain instead hehe.... will see how it goes.

Thanks again guys, you rock!! and Happy riding!
____________________
Better to ask forgiveness than permission!
Oh i miss my first love, the lovely lil CG!
Rouser 135 2012... Enfield 25... Hornet 600 2002... CG125 2000