Topic: Gas leaking from carbs- second day with fuel after 9 months dry

[freezingprocess]

Yesterday was the first time gas has been in my carbs ('76 CB550) in about 9-10 months. All last year, I never had a fuel leak, aside from an occasional sticky float. I drained all the gas out of it last fall, and haven't changed anything on the carbs since.

Yesterday, I filled the tank and went for a few rides, and nothing was leaking. Parked it last night, and woke up to the smell of gas this morning . The gas seemed to be leaking form either the bowl gaskets, or possibly the inlet t-fittings. Has anyone had deterioration issues with the o-rings on those tees? Now as I'm typing, I think I got the o-rings at Ace hardware when I rebuilt the carbs last year. I can't remember if they were rated for fuel.

I'm going to check it out tomorrow morning, but just wanted to see if someone had anything similar happen to them.....can things go weird if the carbs are dried out for a while like that?

[Johnie]

Sure things do dry out after a period of time.  How bad they become when they dry out depends on their age and condition to start with.  Stick some of your wifes tupper ware under there and see where it is coming from.  I just rebuilt 2 sets of 750 carbs from the same year.  One had good T rings and the other set was cracked.  You have a good point...rated for fuel?  I think I will order a couple from Honda just to have them around.  Let us know what you find out...

[Gordon]

can things go weird if the carbs are dried out for a while like that?

Yes.  If the bowl gaskets are already past their prime and getting hard, letting them dry out like that can definitely cause them to not seal correctly once gas is reintroduced to the system.   

[freezingprocess]

Well, I just pulled the carbs off so I could dump gas into the lines and see where the leak was coming from, and they didn't leak, of course. I put them back on the bike, hooked everything up, and no leak. Took it for a ride and everything seems ok. I'm kind of embarrassed, but I think it might have been because I didn't clamp or zip tie the fuel lines at the inlet barb. I think the gas softened up the line and worked it's way past the barbs on the tee. Once it started leaking from there, the siphon took effect. I somehow got by all last season without clamps on the inlets. Oh, I forgot to mention that I also didn't turn the petcock off the other night when it leaked.

Hopefully the zip ties are the solution. I want to be done messing with these carbs!!...

Thanks guys...

[tlbranth]

You might put some fuel injector cleaner in the tank to help polish things up.