Fuel pouring from CV carbs. (GS850)

[Chris Bohane]

Following the first attempt at starting the GS850 I followed the advice from a previous post and stripped float bowls, removed floats and replaced rubber O ring, cleaned and rebuilt with new gaskets.

Reinstalled onto engine.

Fuel now pouring from the two drain tubes and the air intake mouth of number 1 carb, I think in direct relation to the fuel flow from the tap in PRI position. (the tap also allows fuel to flow in ON position when not on bike- is this correct? I have recently installed a repair kit)

In my haste to stop the fuel leaking I dislodged the battery charger leads.

I then put out the fire, getting away with fire damage to paint on tank and skin on hands.

Still have leaking carbs, and now have fire extinguisher powder to clean from bike, and, a wife who hasn't stopped nagging me about how stupid I am. ( I have to agree with her!! )

Can any one help. PLEASE.

No work is allowed to continue until I get more fire extinguishers.

The bright side to this sorry tale?

Hard to find a positive apart from "it could have been worse" but I do get to have airbrush work done on the repainted tank.

Regards, to all.
Chris.

[chef1366]

Wow! Glad you're ok.
Gas pouring out of carbs can only be a few things. Petcock on prime with bad float needles and seats. Bad petcock with bad float needles and seats. Float not adjusted right. O-ring on needle seat didn't seat.

[Dave8338]

No good!!!! Hope the burns are not to bad. You mentioned that you put a kit in the petcock...your best bet is to remove the petcock and use it as a door stop. I had the same problem with the kit that I installed last year, there is still a dent in the shop wall where the petcock took flight! Buy a new one and you'll will have no other problems in that area. Ebay and "georgefix" will take care of the issue for $50...well worth it, it may have prevented the fire. Go with CHEF on the needles and seat info, they should hold the fuel pressure on prime, without leaking. Make sure that you didn't install the floats upside down...I'm not sure, but I think it can happen. I'd pull the carbs and do all the work on the bench with the tank removed and running a longer fuel line, it just makes things easier.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[DaShadow]

I cheated on my 650 e. I was having a problem with my Petcock and that was letting my carbs leak when that bike wasn’t running. I didn’t have a lot of money to put into the bike at the time; I just got it for something to ride. That was before I knew what a Suzuki GS was…and before I got another one. Quick and simple fix though! Get a small quarter turn in line fuel valve. I used Brigs and Stratton on my bike. It’s not the best way but it got the job done. You just have to get used to shutting the valve off. All and all, I spent about 5 bucks and about 5 mins. fixing the problem.

[Jethro]

Get a Pingle fuel tap. Check the float heights, float needles and seats. The problem with inline fuel filters and shut off valves is that in order to use them, you need to buy something with an I/D much smaller than the necessary 5/8" fuel line. This inhibits flow to the carbs at full throttle and can create a lean condition that is hard to know is happening. At first it feels like your bike is running much faster, because it is. A lean condition at full throttle creates a hotter mix for the fuel. I'm sorry if I get all high and mighty about inline filters and fuel valves, but I had to buy a new head for my 81 when I used an inline filter and melted all my exhaust cam seats. If you rarely run at WOT for any length of time, then you may never have a problem, but anything less than a 5/8" ID hose running between your petcock and carbs can cause a lean condition at WOT.

[Dave8338]

Get a Pingle fuel tap. Check the float heights, float needles and seats. The problem with inline fuel filters and shut off valves is that in order to use them, you need to buy something with an I/D much smaller than the necessary 5/8" fuel line. This inhibits flow to the carbs at full throttle and can create a lean condition that is hard to know is happening. At first it feels like your bike is running much faster, because it is. A lean condition at full throttle creates a hotter mix for the fuel. I'm sorry if I get all high and mighty about inline filters and fuel valves, but I had to buy a new head for my 81 when I used an inline filter and melted all my exhaust cam seats. If you rarely run at WOT for any length of time, then you may never have a problem, but anything less than a 5/8" ID hose running between your petcock and carbs can cause a lean condition at WOT.

This is a much larger problem than most realize, as these bikes flow fuel under gravity and not with a fuel pump, that can compensate for some of the lost diameter/restrictions. I won't go into the math, however, if you cut the diameter by 1/4, you loose 1/2 the flow rate under atmospheric conditions. :?

[Chris Bohane]

Thanks for the concern and replies.

Fire extinguisher powder now removed from engine.

Carbs are now at Sootys Customs for a "proper" rebuild, he built the bike featured on the cover of next months BSH.

New fuel tap on its way via ebay.

Rectifier, starter solenoid and fuse box also bought on ebay, just in case.

Electrician coming on Sunday morning to replace burnt wiring.

Tank in a sorry state but artwork decided on for repaint, going to see airbrush artist after work on Monday.

Burn blisters on both hands swelling nicely!

Will keep you informed.