Leaking Carbs

[MrWright]

Simply put-Help! I have a 1984 XVZ 1200 Venture with a carburetor issue. First, some back ground. I have owned the bike since day-one, and have kept the bike in great shape, always garaged, oil change every 2,000 miles. However, I made the mistake of not riding the bike for a two year period, at which point the gas spoiled in the carbs. It never idled right after that, and took a long time to warm-up. So, last fall I had the carbs rebuilt by a nationally known expert in Texas. Now the carbs leak gas like a stuck pig from the overflow ports. I called the expert and he told me, in not such a nice tone, that he doesn’t set the float level and that I must do so. Why he doesn’t feel that is part of a proper rebuild is beyond me. My first quest ion simple: if the floats were O.K. to begin with, and the replacement needles are built to stock, why should I need to reset the floats? Now for the symptoms: Upon turning on the ignition, I can hear the pump cycle, and stop upon reaching pressure. The carbs DO NOT leak at this point. If I start the bike, the carbs DO NOT leak. When I shut the bike off, the fuel pump continues to cycle, and the carbs leak from the overflow, all four. Is there a vacuum line issue? Should I simply remove the carbs and set the float level(s)? And finally, why can’t the floats be set dimensionally rather than by a fluid level tube? Thank in advance.

[Sylvester]

Put this in 1st Generation Tech Talk and you will get repies.

 

[van avery]

Not sure why the fuel pump is running after you turn off the bike it should not have any power ?

Before you remove the carbs to check the level put the bike on center stand and buy some clear tygon tubing that will fit tightly over the drain hoses. Open the drain screw and you can check the level in the bike.

 

See the following post if you set them at 1" per the following you will be pretty close. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/sh...8-Float-levels

 

Good luck

[MrWright]

I could not locate the 1st Gen post tab, where is it?

[Freebird]

When you click on "Forum" in the menu bar, you get a list of all the different forums. The first one, which you apparently found, is the "Watering Hole". Don't click on that though. Scroll down and you'll come to another red header titled "Tech Talk". The fifth forum down under that header is "First Gen Tech Talk". Click on that and post just like you did in the watering hole.

[cimmer]

Yes you do set the float level close when rebuilding the carbs, it can be done a couple of different ways and yes it should be part of his rebuild. I would ask him just what he did in rebuilding the carbs, what parts where replaced and such. Did he replace the float needle seats or just polish them clean.

 

Few of questions for you.

1) Does the bike leak any fuel after running if you put it on the center stand and let it idle for a while?

2) How is the bike running when are riding around and how it is in stop and go traffic?

3) Does it leak fuel when on the side stand or the center stand or both?

 

The issue to me sounds more like why is the fuel pump still running when you turn off the engine. I believe there is a relay that energizes the relay and maybe it is sticking a bit. The relay is located up in the fairing on the right side of the bike and looks to be accessible by removing the headlight. I would recommend checking the service manual for testing procedures. There is a link to the 83-85 service manual in the tech section if you dont have one.

 

If the only time it leaks fuel is when you turn it off then I would look at the fuel pump relay for sure. The pump should not be running when the engine is off.

 

Let us know what you find out if you would.

Good luck.

Rick F.

[MrWright]

This is Mr.Wright,

i missspoke by saying it was off, the ignition is on, and if I let it stall, it leaks. If I turn the power off, the relay stops. The thing that puzzles me is why do the floats work when first turn on/not running, and then leak after starting and stalling?

[BlueSky]

The float level check procedure is in the shop manual. I used the manual's instructions when I checked mine. You do have to make sure the carbs are level when doing this for an accurate reading.

Edited May 22, 2017 by BlueSky

[van avery]

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?66468-Float-levels

Haven't been on for a couple of days Looks like the earlier link I sent did not work. My puter has been having some issues lately. The above link should work???

[MrWright]

Update: I set the floats, slightly under spec, placed the carbs back in the bike, plumed it up, double checked all, turned on the key, listed to the gas pump click until bowls were full, pushed the start button, and within minutes, and even prior to the bikes starting, every overflow tube started leaking as fast as the pump could pump.

 

Recall: I had the carbs "rebuilt" by an expert in Texas, and he has been less than helpful. I am interest in finding a trustworthy carb rebuilder, one who performs the service for a living. I refuse to let my 1984 Venture go, it ranks up there with my 74 Telecaster.

[BlueSky]

Did you replace the needles/seats while you had it out? Perhaps the guy who rebuilt them used some cheap parts that use the wrong rubber for sealing.

[cimmer]

I agree with Bluesky, I am wondering if the rebuilder uses the proper float needle and seat for the 84. I have no experience with the 83-85 carbs, but I do know that the 83-85s used a different float and float needle and seat assemble then the 86-93 VR. It could be possible that he used the wrong ones for your bike. The correct one is still available from Yamaha parts but the actual float is not.

Here is a link to a picture of what you needle and seat should look like. http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/yamaha/YP-22U-14190-15-00.html

Does this appear to be like the ones you have in your carbs now?

If they arent the same, does it have a wire loop on the end of the float needle then he used 86-93 assemble and I dont think it will work properly..

 

I dont know of any rebuilders of carbs, but maybe someone who is more knowledgeable on these will have some better suggestions and ideas.

Good Luck and dont give up..

Rick F.

Edited May 22, 2017 by cimmer

[CaseyJ955]

There are a lot of re-builders out there that really dont understand CV carbs, probably any carbs. The only guy I know and implicitly trust on these CV carbs, with a proven track record and a trail of satisfied customers, is Danny. I know he's quite familiar with the Yamaha V4 and quite a nice guy.

http://www.vmaxforum.net/brc.jpg

 

If it's overflowing like that than he probably used some of the cheap-o Chinese rebuild kits that are known for this sort of thing, or as Cimmer said, wrong year parts.

[MrWright]

Thanks all. Im going straight to an expert, rather than trying to be one overnight. I can't count the number of pre-1930 car engines I have rebuilt, and everyone had its own twist. Thanks again, I will let you all know the outcome.