Fuel leak

[Resurrection]

I have a kawasaki zx9r c1 which I basically haven't used since November. I've been starting it but not that frequent.

I've come to start it today and it went first hit with no choke. Gave it some throttle and it died. Went to start it again but nothing happened. I looked down and the floor is covered in petrol and the fuel pump is constantly priming. I had a look and it's absolutely streaming out of the ram air pipes at the front of the bike and a few other non specific seams around there. Now as I haven't time until weekend to strip the bike I can't tell exactly where it's coming from.

Any thoughts?
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ZX9r

[mad4it028]

turn your fuel off before you store a bike away?
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[Mrs Vale46]

SWitch the fuel and then when the weekend comes you can sort I would have thought?

[Resurrection]

I'm sure this is The Workshop, not the state the bleedin obvious!

I was more looking for opionions and thoughts as to why the fuel had overflown/backed up not ludicrous unhelpful statements.
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ZX9r

[cb1rocket]

it could of been that the fuel has gone staled and has jammed open the fuel valve inside the carbs, so rest of the fuel leaks in and over flows out of the overflow pipes, but could of been that your overflow pipes are missing and hence its flowing out of the ram air intakes

[Ichy]

Possibly a float or needle valve stuck. Try giving each carb a sharp trap with the handle of a screwdriver.

Just note I said sharp TAP. Not beat the life out of it.

At worst you need to strip and clean the carbs. Fit an inline fuel filter.

[Ichy]

[Mrs Vale46]

Yes ok, but surely you would have done that and said you have done it then we would know and give the next step in options to take in solving your problem. And you werent sure where it was coming from and would have more time at the weekend to look further.

Im sorry if the answer to question was useless but I thought it was appropriate answer to give as I thought you would like a stop to the problem temporally till the weekend.

I do apologise

[stinkwheel]

On the assumption this is a carbed bike, not fuel injection. I agree with Marki. Classic symptoms of a stuck open float valve. Repeated sharp taps to the side of the float bowls with a bit of wood/screwdriver handle usually shakes them loose again.
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[Ichy]

I guessed it was carbed when he mentioned the choke. Is there a fuel injection bike with a manual choke?

[Resurrection]

I was hoping it would be something and nothing. I've got the day off tomorrow so I'll just attack it then. I've had probs with it sticking open before. How will I know when it's unstuck? Or will I have to start it and see if it's still streaming out?
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ZX9r

[Resurrection]

One thing I forgot to mention in the OP is that it's not leaking fuel while the ignition is off it only starts once you hit the starter button. I don't know if this makes a difference but thought it worth a mention.

Cheers.
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ZX9r

[cb1rocket]

Splits in the pipes?

[Ichy]

Umm, on my bike the fuel pump primes for just a couple of seconds, if that. Any more and I'm guessing there is something wrong. Can't think of another way to see if its sorted without at least some strip down.


Not recommended but I would personally stick a big tray under the bike to catch the fuel so I can pour it back in afterwards. That way I can tap away at the carbs until the pump stops priming or I get bored. Any contamination of this petrol will be cleaned by the new in line filter you've fitted

Just be careful that the fuel isn't filling up the cylinder.

[hornetmike]

split in fuel pipes wont leak out from ram air
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[Ichy]