Carb joints

[JerryK]

Where is the best price on carb joints.......Mine don't seem to be leaking when I spray starting fluid but the sure look like they should be leaking.

[Yammer Dan]

Cracks on outside won't hurt them.

[Snaggletooth]

 

They are a bonded rubber over a metal sleeve. Some can get real ugly looking but still fully intact. The cracks you see are pretty much cosmetic. If you're not getting a reaction from spraying around them you should be good to go.

[JerryK]

Some on here say they can leak and be detected with starting fluid others say they can't? I know they can't both be right!

[Snaggletooth]

Well, I've never been a fan of spraying starter fluid on a running engine but that's just me. Some folks just like flames.

 

But, any fluid like WD 40, or even a degreaser will fill a small crack long enough to detect a change in RPM.

[Yammer Dan]

Some on here say they can leak and be detected with starting fluid others say they can't? I know they can't both be right!

 

EXACTLY!! There are those that are right!! And then there are 2nd Gen Riders!!!

[steamer]

My joints were severely cracked, Didn't think much about it until I removed the carb's and found that some of the cracks extended all the way up to where the carbs are seated to the joints. I was not getting a good seal between the carbs and the joints. Had to replace the joints. Unfortunately you have to remove the carbs to check this.

[dacheedah]

Well, I've never been a fan of spraying starter fluid on a running engine but that's just me. Some folks just like flames.

 

But, any fluid like WD 40, or even a degreaser will fill a small crack long enough to detect a change in RPM.

 

And as a reminder WD40 is flammable, it has a 131 degree flash point, it was a fuel source of a fire I was a part of the investigation.

[RSTDdog]

Where is the best price on carb joints.......Mine don't seem to be leaking when I spray starting fluid but the sure look like they should be leaking.

 

May be the better question is why do you think you need carb joints (other than the cracks)? What prompted you to start looking? Running poorly? Lean misfire? Plug color white or light gray indicating a lean condition?

[JerryK]

I'm getting ready for a couple trips soon and it has 104,000 miles. It's leaking a little oil at Valve covers and replacing those this week. Running fine and I just want to keep it that way!

[RSTDdog]

I was just wondering. If its running fine and plug color looks good they probably aren't leaking. If you want to change them as a matter of staying ahead of the game, boats.net, Yamaha Sports Plaza and parkshark seem to have the best pricing on OEM Yamaha parts. Boats.net has free shipping that kicks in over 200.00 so you have to check the price with shipping between those. The rubber caps that cover the sync ports on the intake are a good maintenance item to check. The OE rubber caps tend to last longer than Auto Part store ones.

 

If your taking off the valve covers to change the gaskets, thats a good time to check the valve clearance if it hasn't been done in the last 26,000 miles.