Checking fuel level - with water??

[Guest]

this may seem like a stupid question, but; it's now cold enough to need to work indoors, and I hate to work with flamable liquids which might blow up my shop. I want to set the fuel levels on the carbs before reinstalling. Any reason not to use water, removing and blowing things dry afterward?

[tkent02]

The hardest part will be keeping the engine running on water. But if you figure that one out you will soon be rich enough to buy a band new Ducati every day instead of sinking around with old worn out motorcycles.
Other than that, water is heavier than gasoline, the float will float higher in the heavier liquid, will close the valves at a different height.

[Brendan W]

I thought this was open and shut.
Floats will sit higher in water but if water is coming down the hose the delivery pressure at the float needle will be higher. That could compensate.
My head is now hurting.
Even if you did it the only thing you could be certain of is that you're all set for the day someone figures how to run the bike on water.
Open the window.

[tkent02]

I think Sailorman needs to read the Suzuki Service manual section about setting float heights and checking fuel levels. Setting them you do dry, with the carbs upside down, checking the fuel levels with the hose you do with the engine running. I set the float heights any time they are opened up and off the bike, or at least check the float height setting. Takes a few seconds on each carb if they are correct, a little longer if they need adjustment. There is no fuel involved with this, it's all done with empty carbs.

The fuel level check I only do if one or more cylinders is running funny, in some way making me think the fuel level isn't right, something about the float system isn't working right.
That's where the fuel comes in, but the engine needs to be idling, with the choke off.

[Gorminrider]

Certainly is a unique question. so I looked it up.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-gravity-liquid-fluids-d_294.html

and it looks like fluids withsimilar SpecificGravity are all worse than gasoline except MAYBE an alcohol (warmed up!) which flame you can put out with water if you haven't fallen down blind

but it's a good idea to be careful. maybe better put your gloves onn and work outside for this.

[Brendan W]

I kinda miss the old days when you could bs all day long. This new interweb techwhizzery has people looking stuff up. Takes all the fun out of it

[Gorminrider]

me too. I used to think I knew things because I had done it the hard way by nursing some kind of "comprehension" through fits and starts and a lot of starting over.

[Gorminrider]

blue-sky, I'm wondering if a brushless motor driving a fan at the end of a hose might take those explosive fumes away..
a fan from a desktop computer might be just the thing...? but I better search it first

[sailorman1617]

ah, wasn't aware the engine needed to be running to check with the hose; I just attached the hose, set the petcock on prime and checked the level (already set the float height before attaching the bowls). In that case, water might be a problem.

[chuck hahn]

Get it about middle range or a bit higher with the engine off...it doesnt vary that much when its running at that point.

[tkent02]

It shouldn't vary, but that's one of the things you're checking for, isn't it?

[chuck hahn]

Yes..your basically checking that the floats are keeping the fuel level stable as the carbs drink up gas.