Topic: Float bowl help

[bjatwood]

Ok guys what's the secret...
History, K3 750 I took the carb bowls off last fall to look at the jets and to make sure I didn't have any dirt/gunk in the bowls. It had been 2 riding season since I had cleaned and synced them. No issue's with the bike running at all, bit of a pop on #4 so I had the tank off for a look at and adjust the valve clearences. Today installed a new battery and gas, turn the petcock on and bowls #3&4 are leaking like the Titanic. So, I drop the bowls and turn the gaskets upside down and try it again. No luck. I tried some new gaskets I had from a rebuild kit I had and am having a tough time getting the gasket up into the grove on the carb body especially #3. Is there a trick to keep these gaskets up on the body to set the bowl on to seal it. I've used some grease on them to hold the gasket up while I try to install the bowl but am having a helluva time getting everything right. What should I try next short of taking the rack off the bike!

[ekpent]

Are they those cheapy aftermarket rubber type gaskets that may have swelled up a bit. I know you won't believe this but in over 20 750's I have dealt with the last few years I have never needed to replace a stock float bowl gasket yet. Some people pick the old ones out to quickly 

[bjatwood]

I believe that the one's I pulled out were OEM and the new ones are not. I will give the old ones a day to dry out and try it again tomorrow night after work...

[Stev-o]

I'm thinking you might have a float issue.  I recently had my carbs rebuilt and one issue was bad gaskets but they still didn't leak. Gas level is not that high.

[tlbranth]

I'm thinking you might have a float issue.  I recently had my carbs rebuilt and one issue was bad gaskets but they still didn't leak. Gas level is not that high.

Pretty much what I was going to say.

[bollingball]

Put it on the center stand if floats are good and fuel level correct it should be below the gasket and not leak.
Ken

[Kenzo1979]

As for the gaskets, use a little bit of super glue, tiny dots near the curves of the grooves and hold it at each spot a few seconds as you go.  I recently just started using the o-ring material, cutting it to the needed length and then putting a tiny dab of hylomar where the splice meets.  The reason is because I purchased O-rings and they did blow up in size on me, probably because of the material (maybe Buna?).  The stuff I'm using now is Viton got it at the local ball bearing and gasket company, $10 for like 5ft!  Way cheaper and better than the ones I got from ebay (also $10, but blew up), and I can make about a dozen gaskets out of it.  Also, haven't had one leak, so it does work, splice and all (just don't leave a gap, gotta meet).  For some reason I can't seem to find the sizes for bowl gaskets anywhere online.  I found pretty much every other o-ring and oil seal size except carb bowls.  If anyone reading this knows the different model's sizes, please share.  Or if it is in the archives somewhere and I'm just being dumb, point it out please.

[Chachi]

Your 750 bowls may be different, but I used these b/c they are shaped like my 500 bowls (not circular):
http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=1086

[ekpent]

May want to check that your float bowl overflow tubes are clear,both the brass and the rubber tubes. and working correctly. If floats are too high gas should come out of those as thats their design. Also if they are clogged the carbs do not vent like they should.

[bjatwood]

Your 750 bowls may be different, but I used these b/c they are shaped like my 500 bowls (not circular):
http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=1086

Doesn't look like these would fit a 750's bowls.....Going to try a dab of gasket sealer in the corner of the new gaskets and have it hold it in place as I raise the float bowl into place this evening. Will post when successfull..

[flybox1]

IMO, stay away from gasket sealer on carbs...any of that gasket sealer gets loose and you're pulling your carbs for a thorough cleaning. 
If your gaskets have dried out and shrunk back to size, superglue in the corners of the gasket seam works great to keep it under control. 

[lucky]

Use NO gasket sealer.
If any gas comes out of the float bowl the float levels are too high.
Replace the float needle and seat.
If it is the all metal float needle replace the needle and the seat.
If the needle has the rubber tip replace the float needles.

Set the NEW float needle like the book tells you.
If you want to use the "clear tube method" do so ONLY AFTER....AFTER you have set the float the way the manual shows.

The book even tells you that.

If the float bowl still leaks out of the float bowl drain tube, get a magnifying glass and check for cracks in the float bowl overflow tube.

 

[tlbranth]

Whoa there Lucky. I had 3 carbs doing this. Two were leaky floats, one was a dimpled float tang. Buying all that stuff wouldn't have fixed it.

[BobbyR]

Get some clear tubing and check your float level. The gas should not reach the gasket. You can do a search on how connect the tubing. The 750s have a drain at the bottom of the bowl so it is very easy.

[bjatwood]

Thanks for all the help guys, Floats levels are right on, vent tubes clear, this was the main issue....read on 
Put the OEM gaskets back on using some grease to hold up the gaskets. Bowls back on all is good for 5 minutes... #3 is leaking again! Errrrr
Take a closer look at it and realized the bowl lock/clamp is cockeyed. Take the tank off and at that time looking down between the carb 3&4 I see that #4 bowl lock end is on the top edge of the carb body and clamp/lock on #3 is barely hangin on the edge of the carb body too! Soo a little long screwdriver work and both lock ends are back in their respective places. Bowls up and locked down, tank on and no leaks.
I'm a happy SOHC camper once more.