Major fuel leak...

Samargh · Post by **Samargh** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:26 am

Sorry guys, this is probably really basic, but I'm tired, its dark and absolutely hosing down outside (electrical storms, hail etc..) whine whine whine...

spree 86. Unmodified I think, but not a US model (actually a nifty fifty)

I'm losing fuel from the carb area. All three screws are in place, fuel hose is good and tight. The fuel is visibly dripping from the protrusion which seems to have a hole through it just under the join of the upper and lower carb parts. its the corner of the carb that is toward the back of the bike and in towards the centre.

I removed the carb as a unit and it is still tightly screwed together, so I didn't believe I had a leak at the join. I also can't remember there being a gasket between the 2 halves, but you guys will probably tell me I'm wrong.

any clues?

thanks in advance

Dave

hondaman · Post by **hondaman** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:10 am

Yes you definitely need a gasket between the two carb halves.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:46 pm

There is a rubber seal in there.

Samargh · Post by **Samargh** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:15 pm

Thanks for that... and after finally getting a clear day to look at it, things are going from bad to worse.

there isn't a split in the seal, although it does look old. I've re-cleaned the carb as there were what looked like sand particles in there, and a few may have worked their way up under the seal.

the really bad part is that one side of the carb actually looks warped... when you put the 2 halves together one of the corners with the screws seems bent down and the 2 halves can rock slightly!!

Now I'm assuming that since it was running fine and just cut out that this damage (if it is damage) happened while I was riding.. any clues???

I've packed the seal all round with liquid gasket, and I appear to have a nice tight join again.. waiting for it to cure before I refit and try to crank it.

If that fails, will it be safe to gently bend the warped carb part (its the cover bit rather than the bit that hold the float) back to shape in the jaws of a vice?

cheers

Dave

keithw · Post by **keithw** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:39 pm

Carefully bending it back into shape is a possability. Depending on how far it's bent there is a danger of cracking. Aluminum doesn't like to bend far. Since it's the cover another possability is to lay a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface and sand the surface true. Not sure how your's bent but overtightening the screws or installing it crooked are posabilities.

BTW, since you are in that part of the world. I've got a Pal , AF17. From what I could find they were domestic Japanese and export to New Zealand. I am looking for a dealer or someone there to see about getting some parts that are not available here in the U.S. . It would be great if you or someone over there could help.

thanks,
keithw

Samargh · Post by **Samargh** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:40 am

Ok, gasket seems to be holding...

I'll test ride it later tonight