Gas in my airbox.

[Guest]

Ive rebuilt a 1983 GS1100GK and I usually keep the tank half full cause I often need to lift it to tinker on something. I'm done with most of my tinkering so I decided to fill up my bike and parked it for a day.

As usual the wife complains about the "gas smell" from the garage but this time it was more than usual. Followed the leak and it was coming from the airbox. Removed it to find the filter and the inside filled with gas.

What could cause this? Carbs overflowing back in?

Thanks.

[Redman]

Yes, carb floats overfilling... but have to expect a little bit of that, and a little bit over a long time can flood out of carbs and into air box and into the cyliders too .... hence why there is a petcock.

You did not leave the petcock on PRIme did you (lever pointed back).....?
PRIme means the petcock is on all the time, Main (down) and REServe (Pointed forward) is vacuum operated ,.... so opens when engine running and off when engine is off.

You say you have been smelling gas, so has been doing this for some time, and now worse that you see gas dripping out the air box and maybe a puddle on the floor.
Other, bigger, concern is gas in the crankcase diluting the oil.

Smell if gas in the oil... and change oil.


NOTE: My "Rule Of Thumb" for the rare occassion that I need to put the petcock on the PRIme position is to leave my thumb on the lever, stand there, dont step away, stand there for one minute holding onto the petcock lever, and then put it back or Main (or reserve). It is that important to not forget to return back from PRIme.

.

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[Tom R]

Likely that your petcock is leaking, was it in the prime or run position?
I'm not sure if it's the same for the gk, but your crankcase is probably filled with gas too. Pull the plugs before you try to turn it over as one of the cylinders might be filled with fuel too.

[Dre]

My petcock only has ON and RES. Like I said it's been fine until I recently filled the bike Full. She turns over right away and seams to be running fine except for some recent gas leaking from the bottom of the airbox. I'm just wondering if I over filled the bike. Gas in gearbox? Really?

[Redman]

yep, If gas in air box, and if it is comming from the carb bowls.... look at the relative level of carb body... gas go toward engine as easy as toward air box.... and gas in cyclinder leaks past rings real easy and then into crankcase.

Look at oil level in the sight glass, if out-a-sight, well then no question. If about normal, still cluld have gas in oil wiothout changing level too much.

Roll bike outside away from the gas smell in garage, open the oil fill and take a sniff near there.....

Overfilling gas tank will not put gas in the air box.

[Redman]

GK should have a 3 position petcock.


REServe, lever to front, arrow pointing to the front, lever covering the letters RES
ON, lever down, covering the letters ON
PRIme, lever to the rear, arrow pointing to rear, lever covering the letters PRI

.

[Dre]

Ah cap. I'm an idiot. It was on PRI instead of ON. I had it on RES two days ago and turned it the wrong way.

Looks like I'm changing the oil again. Lol

[Dre]

Is it better to use a 20W50 for the hot summer?

[Redman]

photo is sideways.

and shows the lever somewhat out-of-place, so can see all three positions


Lever in PRIme position, kinda covers up the PRI leters so only see the ON and the RES letters .....

[Dre]

photo is sideways.

and shows the lever somewhat out-of-place, so can see all three positions


Lever in PRIme position, kinda covers up the PRI leters so only see the ON and the RES letters .....

Yup. I had it on prime. I'm dumb. Lol

[Redman]

Zuki factory manaul recomends 10-40.

but says if 10-40 not available, it allows other based on a temepature chart that allows 20-50 down to about about -10c (15F).

[Dre]

Zuki factory manaul recomends 10-40.

but says if 10-40 not available, it allows other based on a temepature chart that allows 20-50 down to about about -10c (15F).

Perfect. Thanks

[sedelen]

I think we've all made that mistake, leaving the petcock on Prime that is. "Once" is usually all it takes it seems to get our attention after that.

[Burque73]

Might want to clean and oil the air filter too since the gas rinsed it off. Also wipe out airbox to help get rid of gas smell.
Yes, one time is it for me. Now I aways check after fill up and before leaving it sit.

[Dre]

Yup. Once is enough for me. Thanks everyone.