gas leaking out of overflows.. help

[79FiveFifty]

I was finished working on my bike and been riding it lately - nothing wrong with it at all. I covered it up and went about my day. I come outside today and I smell gasoline.. uncover the bike and there is gas dripping from all 4 of the fuel bowl overflows..

79GS550 VM carbs - new petcock, rebuilt carbs.. what the heck is going on?

Could it be the cold temperature outside drawing fuel out?? it's in the 20's and the bike has no choice but to sit covered outside.. what would cause all 4 to start spilling fuel out by themselves!?!

[jonmasaya]

Did you leave it on PRI? I know it sounds dumb, but I've done that before...

[Nessism]

Two things must happen for fuel to overflow: the petcock is not shutting off the fuel, and the float needles are not working as they should. I suggest fixing both things.

[79FiveFifty]

i dont have that feature on my bike just reserve and fuel, and this is an oem vacuum petcock too

[79FiveFifty]

Two things must happen for fuel to overflow: the petcock is not shutting off the fuel, and the float needles are not working as they should. I suggest fixing both things.

My float needles are brand new, and the petcock is brand new.. levels were adjusted to perfection.

If both of them have failed me after 1 week.. this bike is going in the crusher.

[Nessism]

The OEM petcock will shut off fuel when it's in the ON or Reserve position, and there is no vacuum. Pull off the fuel line leaving the petcock to see if fuel flows out, if it does you have it in the Prime position.

Regarding the float needles, you must have bought some crapy aftermarket needles/seats. Maybe you set the float height too high to begin with?

[lurch12_2000]

I had just put the VM carbs back on to my '78 GS1000 last night and hooked up the tank off the bike with a longer hose to get ready for firing it up and doing the adjustments and synch. I turned it to PRI because the vacuum line doesn't reach and was not hooked up. Gas started pouring out of overflow hose #3. Turned petcock to ON to stop it and went inside to think about having to pull the carbs off again and work on the floats. I started reading the VM guide on Basscliff's site and it mentioned possibly tapping on the outside of the bowl with the plastic end of a screwdriver, to possibly free up the float . Why not? So when I went back to it early this morning before work I tapped a few times, turned to PRI, and sure enough no more leaking. Even though I doubt it would be your fix because all 4 carbs are leaking, give it a shot. But I would recheck and see if it's in fact only leaking out of one hose by seperating them off to the side over a plastic container to catch any spillage.

[waterman]

I just noticed in your for sale ad (http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=152665) that you stated that you have replaced the diaphragm in your petcock. If this is true, you still may have a leaky petcock. I don't want to sound negative, but it seems most here have not had the best of luck with trying to fix the petcock, complete replacement usually is the only solution. Again, I am not trying to discourage, you have put a lot of time and energy (most likely some $$) but I believe you are real close to having this bike running perfectly. Good luck with it .