Topic: HELP! Gas out of carb #4 drain tube

[Chippy569]

Not sure why this is happening! I have gas pouring out of the #4 drain tube when the tank is flowing. Engine seems to be backfiring on that side, too. Not sure where to start! Would rather not pull the carbs back out if I don't have to. Where should I look? Simple adjustment somewhere?

[Bob Wessner]

Could be the float is hung up and not closing, or the float valve seat has something on it preventing the valve from closing. Could try the old "tap the bowl with a screwdriver handle" to see if the float frees up. Otherwise, I think you are looking at removing the carbs for a looksee and cleaning perhaps.

[Chippy569]

the "tap the bowl" trick definitely worked... but is there a more permanent solution?

[Bob Wessner]

You won't like it. Remove the carbs and give them a good cleaning. Since you seem to have a float hanging-up, you might want to pay particular attention to the pins on the float assemblies and perhaps the post holes, but be careful, you don't want to break-off a post. Of course an alternative is, see how long this "carb tap" works and try it again if it hangs up.

[cycleman]

If you have to every couple of days tap the bowl to stop the floats from overfilling the carb than I would certainly look at cleaning the carbs & checking the needles with a magnifing glass to see if they are screwed.

If its just a once and awhile thing than I'd suspect that you have some dirt getting into the carbs.  Put a fuel filter in the line and that should help. If your tank is really clean ( no rust ) you could also try some Sea Foam in the tank as it will help to clean the carb internals. I'd also drain the carb bowls.

A lot of times a needle may stick & cause your problem but once its freed up ( tapping the bowl ) the flowing gas cleans the tip & everything works the way it should.