Topic: Can taking the carbs apart fix my problem?

[Jore]

Long story short, the central carbs where overflowing while running, you could see them drip a bit, a couple of days ago the bike fell on it's side but luckily it fell on top of a big flower pot so the only damage was a broken flower pot, some really dirt handle bars and the oil galley plug under the alternator got loose,  I changed the o-ring on the plug, cleaned the bike and the mess from the fall and started the bike again.

Now the central carbs stopped dripping, but on the outer left cylinder, the one over the alternator the spark plug got gas fouled, I changed the plug with the one from the other outer cylinder and gave the bike another go, same deal outer left isn't firing, this time I let it run a bit longer, the exhaust header wasn't fully tightened down and gas started to drip from the non firing exhaust port I also got gas coming out from the exhaust tube coupling on the cylinder. I stopped the engine once I noticed this and decided to check the oil, it was runny and had a slight smell of gas, so I drained the motor, I poured out really fast, so I guess way more gas than I thought got in to it.

I'm guessing all this gas related issues are due to wonky valves no closing, I rebuilt the carbs a few months ago with the kit sold by 4into1 for the cb400f, but the first time they had gas in them was something like 2 weeks ago. If I pull my carbs and set the float height again could my issues be solved?

I've already whacked the carb bowls with the handle of a hammer several times.

[BomberMann650]

It they weren't keihin parts, that could be your trouble.   That and sediment from the tank sticking the float needle.  Do the clear tube check while you're thinking of it.

Double check your plug wires and caps for the no spark issue.  If the other right is firing then it's not the points.

[Jore]

I think they're keihin parts, I'm not sure, good idea on the clear tube check. The tank's clean and was coated last year IIRC.

[BomberMann650]

A lot of guys (and gals) here will gently clean and reuse the brass parts, provided they aren't damaged.
Hope you didn't toss your old parts in the trash two weeks ago!

[Jore]

Luckily  have everything stored.

[Deltarider]

Can taking the carbs apart fix my problem?

Depends on what you mean by 'taking apart'. I wouldn't recommend separating carbs from the rack.
After bike has stood for a long time like hibernation, you can expect some leakage that often will cure itself as soon as the O-rings have swollen again. Sticking floatneedles or needles that will not close completely is another thing to expect. Dirt particles are often to blame. Recently I gave this advice to another member.
Tap floatbowl with stub end of screwdriver. Maybe floatneedle frees itself and closes again. If not...
Remove floatbowl for inspection of the floatvalve and needle. This can be done with carbs in situ* and on a CB400F carb #1 is probably the easiest of the four to work on. Make sure overflow tube is open, so in the event of a not closing valve and needle, gas will exit downwards and not enter the engine.
* A general description on how to do this, is found here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,148440.msg1692214.html#msg1692214 .

[Duanob]

Most likely is the float or jets in the carb have become dislodged due to the fall and are now allowing unrestricted fuel to enter the motor.

Drop the carb bowl of the offending carb and see what surprise awaits you (in the bowl). If nothing is obvious, check the fuel measurement with the Clear Tube method with the motor off, and with the motor running. Your remedy should be obvious with these simple checks.

That was my first thought. A float is hung up due to the impact. Could've even knocked some crud loose in the tank that is know lodged in the float jet needle.

[Jore]

If the knock was strong enough to dislodge an oil galley plug, that sounds entirely possible.

[Jore]

If the knock was strong enough to dislodge an oil galley plug, that sounds entirely possible.

Without question. Did it knock any sense into you, by the way? 

It did! I took the float off and lo and behold the jets where dislodged, I fixed that and put everything back together, I haven't started it just yet, I'll do that once I get new oil in it.

[Jore]

Yeah it amazing how things workout after a bang or two, and luckily I got my carbs back together!

Calj That would be EPIC from your part, the number according to the manual is: 26954 45104-317-700 JOINT, CALI PER HOLDER.

[carnivorous chicken]

And crank down that exhaust clamp. New exhaust gaskets wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[Jore]

I have a new set of exhaust gaskets, but haven't installed those just yet. So as an update cylinder 1 now gets nice and hot, but now 4 started acting up, I drained the bowl but that didn't seem to fix the problem, so I'll drop it tomorrow and see what's up.

[Jore]

Will do Calj

[Jore]

I'm happy to inform you that all 4 cylinders fire now and the exhaust pipes get nice and hot! My only issue now addressing a leaky crank seal from the advancer side, and also carb 3 smoked a bit after turning it off.