Fuel leaking through the bottom, after going down. 1990 FJ1200

[itsdrock]

So I went down trying to avoid a car that cut me off. I was going maybe about 25mph, luckily, so it wasn't a hard fall.
I got up got the bike right side up, and tried to start it, and it was turning over but not starting. So i figured the engine got flooded,  pushed it to a side street and just waited. I waited 10mins and tried and still wasn't starting so i kept patient as to not kill the battery. and waited 15 more mins and this time it actually started. So i got on and rode it ~15miles back home. At first, it was pretty rough in first gear, kind of twitchy i guess. and the throttle wasn't as responsive as before. but after about 3 miles or so it seemed to be running fine. Then right before getting to my house I got around 2.5gal of gas. Got home, covered the bike and didn't really pay it no mind.
In the morning however, i could smell gas as i came out to the drive way and there was just a huge puddle of gas in the driveway and i could see it dripping out the left side (because it's on the kickstand). I hopped on it, when i put in the keys and turned it to ON the Fuel level was almost empty, whereas it was above the halfway mark the night before. Apparently it was steadily leaking all night. And when i tried to start it with no choke it wouldn't, and it was cold the night before. When i tried with just a little choke it started up, but was pretty weak, almost dying. And then it finally died, and wouldn't start up anymore.
I had work so i had to go, and left my oil pan under it. Right now(7hrs later), the leaking is less, probably because there's almost no gas. And when i tried to start it, it turned over a little bit and went quiet, almost as if the battery died out. so i tried it again, and it turned over, but made like a pretty loud knock so i panicked and let go of the button. I haven't tried to start it again. I am freaking out, i hope i didn't break my bike.   And my renntec bars just came too.

[Arnie]

It is likely that one or more of the float needles has become stuck open in one or more of the carbs.
You can sometimes free them by tapping on the carb with a dowel or screwdriver, OR (if you can start it) disconnecting the fuel pump power and running till it dies from lack of fuel.  Then when you re-connect the pump the onrush of fuel will flush out the detrius keeping the float needle from seating.

HOWEVER !!!!!!  check your oil level through the window.  If it is high (over the window), you might have also filled the crankcase with fuel.  This can cause a hydraulic lock and bend or break a rod if not cleared first.

[FJmonkey]

Take your oil fill cap off and smell... If it smells remotely like gas then do not crank it over. Your fuel has leaked from your tank through your carbs and into your oil and will cause a hydraulic lock that will break things. The low side most likely upset crap and it got stuck in your float needles allowing the leak down in to your crank case. Keep us posted....

[itsdrock]

thanks all for the replies. it's too dark out for any inspection now. and it smells like gas all around the bike so i don't wanna misdiagnose it. I'll wait till the morning and check things out more clearly. I hope that knock wasn't anything being broken off

[FJmonkey]

Good call, don't be too aggressive and loose the goal... Be safe...

[Pat Conlon]

Sorry to hear of your accident. I am glad that you're ok. That is THE most important point.

There is something else going on with your bike, other than a stuck float bowl needle...or two.

Your '90 has a fuel pump and when the pump is shut off (key off) no gas should be able to get by the pump and flood your engine or driveway.
Yet it apparently has, so I would look for a leaking fuel pump. By chance, did the bike go down on its right side? That is the side where the fuel pump is located. Look for a cracked inlet fitting at the fuel pump, if not then the internal seals of the pump need fixing so gas can not flood your engine when the bike is shut off.

Good advice has already been given....You have a very real chance of having fuel in your crankcase.

[movenon]

Start at the top of the system at the petcock and fuel sender (gasket?) , fuel line, filter, another fuel line down to the fuel pump, the fuel pump, line going to the carbs and plastic "T". Then check the 2 over flow hoses (2 larger of the six hoses).

The fuel pump has a check valve in it to prevent fuel from flowing into the carbs when it is not pumping (not to sophisticated, just a small disk check valve). If fuel is coming out of one or both of the fuel over flow lines with power off then you have a needle and seat problem and a leak in the fuel pump check valve.
Check all the simple stuff first. Hoping that it will be a simple fix. Well its all simple, just some is quicker to do .

Most of all when you get her fixed let us know what it was..... Glad you were not hurt and it sounds like the bike came out OK also.
George

[itsdrock]

i opened the oil filler cap and it does smell like gas in there, checked through the window too it's passed the window and is brownish. So, i gotta first drain out the oil right? (Bear with me people, i am a total newbie.) I also, have just basic tools(mechanic's set).
also, should i hold off on mounting my engine bars?
@Pat: yeah i did fall on the right side.

[movenon]

i opened the oil filler cap and it does smell like gas in there, checked through the window too it's passed the window and is brownish. So, i gotta first drain out the oil right? (Bear with me people, i am a total newbie.) I also, have just basic tools(mechanic's set).
also, should i hold off on mounting my engine bars?
@Pat: yeah i did fall on the right side.

No problem with being new. Asking questions is the right thing to do. Yes, I would change the oil and filter. Have you had any luck in locating your fuel leak ?
Try to locate the leak first (without running your engine) before you put the new oil in it.

I would hold off on the bars until the fuel leak is fixed.
George

[Harvy]

Yes mate, drain the oil and remove the the filter too. Leave the drain pan under her and the drain bolt out.
Give each carb bowl a firm but gentle (does that make sense...lol) with a screwdriver handle or similar - not metal - to shock the floats loose.
Take the spark plugs out, disconnect the electrics going to the fuel pump and spin the motor over with the starter......any fuel still in the cylinders will shoot out the plug holes so don't be lookin in the plug holes when you do this. (I think that knock that you first described when trying to start her was a hydraulic lockup).
Leave it for a few hours (overnight?) like this to let it fully drain.
Replace the drain  plug (new washer) and fit a new filter. Refill with your preferred flavor of oil.
Spin her over with the starter for a 1/2 min or there abouts to pump the oil through the motor and then replace the spark plugs. Spin her over again with the starter - if she spins freely, you can now re-connect the fuel pump.

Let us know how you go.
HTH
Harvy

[FJ_Hooligan]

If you take the spark plugs out and crank the motor over, be sure to disconnect the coil power wires first!  This is best done with the fuel tank off.  The 2 coil power connectors are under the tank near the steering head (look for the white wire with red stripe).   This will keep you from damaging the coils and prevent any accidental flames from igniting residual fuel that comes shooting out of the cylinders.

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, when in doubt, get some fresh oil and a filter in there.
Put 1/2 gallon of fresh gas in your fuel tank.

Do not ride your bike.
You've got to find the source of the fuel leak.

Take your seat and side panels off and with a flashlight find where the fuel leak is coming from.
If you can't see it from looking in the side, unfasten your tank and rotate it around 180 degrees and rest the tank on your subframe (tank front facing rear) to get a clear look at your fuel delivery system....try to start the bike and check again.


If you can't find the leak, to be safe, be sure to drain your tank or pinch off the fuel line, so it won't flow gas in your engine and contaminate your fresh oil.

Don't give up.

[itsdrock]

alright so i just went ahead, shut off the fuel and took the tank off, then drained the oil(still draining). From what i could tell, i only saw gas coming out of a hose that's connected to the carburetor on the right side. i was gonna start taking the spark plugs out, but the sun is going down, and i don't have any good light source in the driveway. i figure i can completely drain all the oil overnight and get to work checking out the spark plugs tomorrow morning.
Do y'all think it's necessary to replace the oil filter? I had it changed maybe ~200miles(1month) ago. Also, i noticed the fuel filter under the tank is some orange color, and don't know if that's normal  . I put a golf tee looking metal part in the open end of the disconnected fuel line to keep from foreign objects entering, but left the fuel filter open(i have nothing small enough to plug it with.)
I put the seat and tank back in place(all the lines disconnected) covered it and left it for the night.
Any advice for tomorrow would be greatly appreciated. 

[FJmonkey]

Any advice for tomorrow would be greatly appreciated. 

A good night's sleep, wake up with a clear head and all the thinking power to be a problem solver.

[red]

Itsdrock,

I don't know why nobody is saying this, but your fuel pump should be blocking fuel flow, when the pump is shut off (no key on).  If it passes fuel then (siphoning), the pump is not working correctly.  Beyond that, if fuel is filling your crankcase (overfull at the oil-level sight-window), a carb float or needle-and-seat is stuck, and a can of Seafoam might fix it, or you may need a carb cleaning.  Gas on the ground and in the oil says that there are two problems: the fuel pump is bad, and one or more of the carbs need some attention (or at least some Seafoam).  All the other stuff here comes later.  Hope that helps.

Red