Leaking Gas

[JRossi17]

I have a semi clear tube that is going to the bottom of the bike that is leaking gas a tad. Is this suppose to be plugged into something or is it an overflow. It spills out a tad faster when the bike is going. The bike is an 81 650 GL

[Adler]

Where is this tube coming from???

[DanTheMan]

Is it coming from a Carb, the gas tank sending unit drain or the airbox? If it's from one of the carbs your float is sticking open or your float valve isn't working properly causing the overflow. If it's the airbox, the same problems could be the cause or you've got some plugged carb circuits causing excess fuel to flood the airbox and exit via the airbox drain.

It's a serious problem and it needs to be corrected. A stuck float will unstick with a rap on the carb bowls with a screwdriver handle usually.

[mlinder]

What is the other end connected to?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Are you sure it's gas? What is the other end of the hose connected to? The normal drain hoses are from the fuel gauge sending unit, the battery, and the airbox. If you're battery is leaking then you are probably over-charging. Check the voltage of the charging system. If it's leaking from the airbox then a(the) carb(s) is(are) overflowing. In which case see this little article: Overflowing Carbs. If it's leaking form the fuel gauge send unit then you'll need new gaskets, if not the whole unit. See these articles for pictures of the suspect area: Fuel Gauge Send Unit Repair and Tank Cleaning.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[JRossi17]

Followed it up to the battery but i smelled gas before. Ill move it and run it again for a little bit and see if gas or the battery is draining. Battery is measuring out at 12.8 so im running alright there.

[mlinder]

what does your multimeter say, connected to the battery, at 5k rpm?

[Nessism]

That tube is to allow gases (hydrogen I think) to escape from the battery, not for fluid to escape. I suggest you check your charging system; it may be overcharging, which causes the fluid to boil out of the battery. Not good. Poor electrical grounds on the R/R are a classic GS problem, but easy to fix.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Test your charging system. Here's the "quick test"...

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164993

See The Stator Papers for more in-depth diagnostics.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[JRossi17]

Alright so I got it running, it starting spitting out gas from the airbox tube and it must be dripping on the header where it connects to the head because that was smoking as well. The bike runs but you can see more then normal white smoke spitting out the exhaust and it wont idle.

So im guessing it is what BassCliff said and the carbs are overflowing. My question is i am guessing you need to take the tank off to get to the carbs, but is there a write up anywhere on how to take off the tank. I can also hopefully find where its dripping on the header.

[DanTheMan]

The tank is simple. Remove the seat, unscrew the tank mounting bolt, unplug the gauge sending unit wires, remove the petcock hoses (vacuum and fuel), pull straight back, it comes off the mounting ears (don't lose the rubber caps on the frame), and it's off. Make sure your petcock is in the run or reserve position too.

[JRossi17]

Easy enough, i was thinking there was bolts underneath the tank to undo as well. I might as well just rebuild the carbs anyway and save myself a bunch of headaches.

[Adler]

Easy enough, i was thinking there was bolts underneath the tank to undo as well. I might as well just rebuild the carbs anyway and save myself a bunch of headaches.

Truer words were never spoken.

[JRossi17]

Alright seat and tank are off but is there a trick to getting the carbs off in one big group, i have the air box side loosened up and the rubber pieces to the engine loosened.

[Nessism]

Alright seat and tank are off but is there a trick to getting the carbs off in one big group, i have the air box side loosened up and the rubber pieces to the engine loosened.

Loosen the airbox attachment bolts and try to separate it as far away from the carbs as possible. After that it's all about brute force.