Topic: Carburator leak question

[Weeburn]

So I finally got the bike running pretty good, haven't ridden it since last tuesday. I turn my fuel on today to ride and it starts pouring out off the carbs.

At first I thought it was hoses, they're older and hard, so I replaced those real quick but it's still leaking from the pipe that connects carbs 1 & 2 together, and where the fuel hose connects (it's a T shape).

I've repeatedly blasted it with compressed air while slightly opening the petcock, and this looks like where it's coming from (where it goes into carb 2). Is there a gasket/part that can be replaced? Also my #2 carb has always dripped slowly out of the carb drain pipe on the bottom, could this be related, like if the float bowl is filling up and the carb drain isn't enough to get it out so it comes out where it's leaking?

I'm stuck at work right now, I'd like to ride this home instead of getting a lift from my roommate

TIA

[Johnie]

The fuel T connection between carbs 1 & 2 and then 3 & 4 have a total of 4 O-rings on them. To replace those you have to remove & seperate the carbs to get at those O-rings.  If you have fuel coming out of the drain on the float bowl that means your needle valve is not closing all the way when the float rises. Could be a worn valve or incorrect float height. Tell us more about the bike. I am guessing it is a 750, but might want to confirm the bike and year for us.

[Weeburn]

Sorry, got carried away and forgot the basic info

1974 CB550K0
Kei-hin carbs

as for the t-fitting, I'm glad there's gaskets there and it's not just some special metal fitting. Are these gaskets hard to find?

As for the #2 carb drip I did inspect and swap needles last time I had the carbs apart to see if the leak followed, it didn't, so it's not the needle. Float height is set to 22mm as per the manual. I'm wondering if the float has a leak and is sinking, I'll swap that soon to see if the leak follows then.

I'm more immediately concerned about the t-fitting, it's dumping fuel, the #2 drip is slow for now

[Duanob]

Sorry, got carried away and forgot the basic info

1974 CB550K0
Kei-hin carbs

as for the t-fitting, I'm glad there's gaskets there and it's not just some special metal fitting. Are these gaskets hard to find?

They come as part of the carb gasket kits from Honda. Your bike is 38 YO, all your gaskets are probably brittle and cracking. It's time to pull the carbs again and replace all the gaskets and seals. Pull the needles and clean them up good with some 0000 steel wool. They can get a microscopic crud buildup that will hold your needles up and make the carb run rich.Don't forget the o-rings where the intakes bolt to the head. That's a source of vacuum leaks if the old ones are cracked and broken.

[luap]

For a quick fix just to get home, could try rotating the T up or down see if it wont quick leaking on you, then do what the other guys recommend

[CycleRanger]

0-ringz info.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104440.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=30971.0

[lucky]

You have to replace the float needles!!

Not clean them with steel wool.
It does not matter if they have metal tips or rubber tips.

The rubber tips get hard and out of round. The metal ones have a shiney ring on the bevel tip and if you look at them with a magnifying glass you will see that a step is worn into the bevel face. The metal ones have to have the seat AND the needle replaced.

[Duanob]

You have to replace the float needles!!

Not clean them with steel wool.
It does not matter if they have metal tips or rubber tips.

The rubber tips get hard and out of round. The metal ones have a shiney ring on the bevel tip and if you look at them with a magnifying glass you will see that a step is worn into the bevel face. The metal ones have to have the seat AND the needle replaced.

I don't remember saying "float needles" I am referring to the needle jets.