GS850 Fuel pouring out of the port on top of the motor that connects to the airbox

[chuck hahn]

Actually c&c, the petcock is the primary shut off and if that fails the secondary ( and very temporary ) safegaurd is the floats and needles. Peretcly fine needles and floats will allow fuel to ever so slowly weep poast them under the fuels weight building perssure against them. And eventully the bowls fill and fuel runs down the venturis into the cylinders..and then the fuel goes past he rings and fills the crankcase.

Granted the needles and floats should be checked, but the first..and most responsible.. componet for FULL unquestioned fuel shut off is the petcock.

[c&c]

Interesting.
The fuel flow by must be very very low.
But as the tank empty's it's self the pressure drops... Humm.

[chuck hahn]

It doesnt take much to overflow the needles and carbs really. It wont happen in a day. But sitting over some extended time with the petcock allowing fuel to leak down sure will fill the crankcase. Which is why we advicate dont leave it on the PRIme setting too. Its my thoughts that is why the petcock is designed as the very closest thing to the tank to exercise fuel control. And if the tanks vent is clogged and the tank is in aheated up condition like being in direct sunlight, coupled, with the petcock isuue, a tank is pressurised even greater. Ever take a cap off and get a hit of air pressure from the tank?? Pressure built up from it not venting and subjected to some heat sours\ce such as engine heat, sun, heated gargae inn the winter....that sort of thing??

[c&c]

Cool learned something new today.

[mysundurstud]

Thanks again to everyone who helped. The bike is running well. I adjusted the clutch cable because when I pulled the clutch lever in it seemed to lack tension. Due to the owner storing it with gas in the tank for well over a year, it appears that it flooded the carbs and the air box, leaving the only place for the fuel to go, the motor itself through the petcock vacuum line. I had to rebuild the carbs (they needed to be done anyway as they were really gummed up) drained the crankcase, put in fresh oil, ran it, changed the oil and filter again. Seems to be good to go. Still needs new plugs and a tach cable but Im riding again after 2 years and it feels amazing!!

[chuck hahn]

Check thast ptcock..it failed once so dont be so sure its good by any means. here is what I do to see if it leaks.

Get two soda bottles and two long length of hose. Put a line from the vacuum off the petcock to one bottle and a line from the fuel nipple to the other bottle. Fill the tank so it has the maximum fuel weight pressure against the petcock. Be sure its in the ON position and let it set over night at a minimum..or do the test when the weather says its gonna be crappy for a few days.

Object is to see if any fuel accumulates in any of the bottlles..and using two bottles will tell if the leak is via the vacuum tube OR via the fuel delivery line to the carbs. Get fuel in any one..replace the petcock. As many here that have tried rebuild kits..they RARELY are effective. Do NOT get any fuel in the bottlles the petcock is OK