puddle of gas!!!

[jenos713]

I have a fuel problem with my 85 fj100. It drips gas fairly consistently when the bike is off and resting. If you are sitting on the bike with the tank off, the gas is dripping under the connecting pvc piece between the left two carbs. I cannot see under there to see exactly where she is coming from but if anyone has had this problem, maybe it would give me an idea where to begin. It is like the carbs are drawing in fuel even when it is off. Could this be an overflow of some kind from a petcock issue? If there is a break in the "vacuum" and air is getting in, could that cause it to constantly drain fuel from the tank? Please help if you can, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Dan.

[SlowOldGuy]

Your petcock is not sealing.  Probably needs a new o-ring (4mm x 2mm)

The leak from the carbs could be bad needle seat o-rings (get a carb kit from Randy).  That PVC fitting is the float bowl breather/overflow.

Or, could be bad floats or bad needles.  Start with a good carb rebuild and replace all the o-rings that come in "Randy's" carb kit.  :-)

DavidR.

[craigo]

I have a similar situation.  I pulled the FJ out of the garage and started her up to take her for a spin.  As she is warming up, I get my gear on.  When I come up to her, there is gas pouring out between the #1 & 2 carbs.  I turn her off and the gas flow stops.  So now I know the leak is past the fuel pump.

I suspect a stuck float or needle valve as well.  I have never taken carbs off the FJ but have with other bikes I have owned.  The GS1100 was easy, but the VFR was a real pain in the ars....

I got the trick down about unbolting the sub frame to remove the air box but is there anything else I need to be aware of removing the carbs?  Are there any fuel lines that it could be leaking from instead of the from the carbs?  I pulled the tank and really don't see any but have not tried to start her to see exactly where the fuel is coming from.

Thanks,

CraigO
90FJ1200

[RichBaker]

For both of you with leakers, the o-rings on the float needle seats are quite likely bad..... get 'em from randy. See Andy's carb rebuild posts.....

[f j ste]

Had the same problem on 86 FJ a couple of weeks ago .

I replaced the needle seat o rings together with new needles , then as an extra measure replaced the petcock seals and added an inline fuel filter ...

No more leaks , bike runs great 

[craigo]

Thanks for the quick response Guys,

Just a quick question.  Is there anything I should be aware of when taking the carbs off the bike.  Any special tricks other than the subframe to remove the airbox.

I have a feeling that I should just put pods on while I have it all apart.  But does that means jetting changes with the stock exhaust?  If so, what should I buy?

Thanks again,

CraigO

[Arnie]

Before you go buying anything try this:

Use a dowel or long screwdriver (handle end) and tap the float bowl of the carb that is pissing out that expensive go-juice.  This will frequently free a stuck float needle.

Next: If tapping doesn't work.... loosen the float bowl drain screw(s) and drain that carb.  Re-tighten the drain screw and now when you turn on the ignition the fresh flow of fuel will probably flush away any detrius holding the float needle open.

If neither of above stop the leak - Now you'll have to remove the carbs and investigate why the float needle is not sealing.  Could be dirt, damage to the needle tip, or perished O-ring.

If you also decide to install the dual-pod filters, you'll PROBABLY have to go up 1 size on the main, and one groove lower on the needle.  YMMV

Arnie

Thanks for the quick response Guys,

Just a quick question.  Is there anything I should be aware of when taking the carbs off the bike.  Any special tricks other than the subframe to remove the airbox.

I have a feeling that I should just put pods on while I have it all apart.  But does that means jetting changes with the stock exhaust?  If so, what should I buy?

Thanks again,

CraigO

[craigo]

Thanks for the tips, Arnie,

You may have saved me a lot of work.  If it just turns out to be debris in mix, that'll save me a lot of work.  As far as pods go, naw, I'm going to keep her stock if possible.

Cheers,

CraigO

[Steve_in_Florida]

I had the same issue recently, and tried all the aforementioned with no joy. (`92) After considering the fuel flow pattern, I disconnected both fuel lines at the electric pump, ran the float bowls dry, and applied a gentle shot of compressed air to the fuel line to the carbs.

Hooked everything back up and it's been running fine ever since. No carb removal necessary.

Did I ever mention how much I ***LOVE*** my FJ's?

[SlowOldGuy]

A slow drip is needle seat o-rings. 
A "gusher" leak is a stuck float.

Sometimes when the pump is filling an empty bowl, the float will stick open and cause a gusher leak.  Cycle the key a few times; that will sometimes fix it.

DavidR.

[craigo]

Thanks Guys,

It's a fix and did not require dis-assembly.  A few light taps on the floats, turn on the key, wait for the pump to pressurize and no leaks. Great, now start her up.  Still no leaks  

Must have been a stuck float.

I love this forum!!!!

Thanks again,

CraigO