Carb gas leak

[Canoodle]

Noticed that I have some gas leaking from a carb ( right side bike-1st carb of bank of 3)
Bike has been sitting since October 17 last year-could this be a contributing factor ?
I'm hoping it's an O ring that needs replacing-could it be something more sinister ?
How " far down" do I have to dig in the carb to get to the o ring and where exactly is it located ?
I just don't have the know how to start messing with jet's and float bowls etc. If it is complicated would rather take it to a dealer to do.
2001 Interstate btw.

[rug_burn]

You need to figure out where the gas is coming from.    It could be the fuel rails whose o-rings are 20 years old now, or it could be something unusual like the float needle not sealing right, or the float bowl o-ring type seal is leaking.  Also check the float bowl drain screw is closed tight.
    Our bikes are old enough that a lot of mechanics are no longer familiar with them, and you will probably learn more than they know after a few mechanical adventures in the heart of the Valk...  And then you won't even have to consider taking it in to a shop.

[Savage]

As Rug_Burn stated, first figure out where the gas is coming from.
Sometimes after sitting for a while, o-rings will dry and contract allowing gas to pass through an area that should be controlled by an o-ring. I have experienced the o-rings swelling back up after a short period once fresh gas is re-introduced.
Without more information, my first thought is that your problem is related to float/float bowl needle.
Fuel rail o-rings also a likely culprit.
Have you started and run the bike?  If not, be aware of hydrolock symptoms!!

[FLAVALK]

My money is on the fuel rail. Been there, done that.

[gordonv]

Intake runner o-rings.



Mine where flat, and allowed that brown staining on the engine.



Is this where the fuel was leaking from?

[Mooskee]

Noticed that I have some gas leaking from a carb ( right side bike-1st carb of bank of 3)

Can you post a couple of pictures? If you can, we will be able to give you better help.

[jmint]

I'm rebuilding my carbs right now.  I've only done maybe 3 carbs in the past that were far more complicated than these.

My best advice - if you can read and follow directions, these carbs are super easy.  I found when I started breaking them down that pretty much all the o-rings were rock hard and the P/O messed with the mixture screws to make it run rich.  I got a bunch of sandwich bags and labeled and dropped like parts in the bag by carburetor.  Made reassembly so much easier.  I think I spent 11 hours fully disassembling, organizing, and cleaning.  4 hours for reassembly, and I had to do the air cut valve twice (didn't notice the plugs at first).

The Redeye kit is awesome.  I didn't read when I got it, but he includes everything o-ring and gasket related (sans vacuum diaphragm).  It's well organized, and makes it easy to reassemble.  Hands down the best and easiest $100 I've ever spent.  Would recommend.

Also, get yourself some Japanese screwdrivers.  Don't use regular philips head if you can avoid it.  Also a worthwhile purchase.

[Canoodle]

Noticed that I have some gas leaking from a carb ( right side bike-1st carb of bank of 3)

Can you post a couple of pictures? If you can, we will be able to give you better help.

If you give me a reminder of how to post here would love to.

[Canoodle]

Intake runner o-rings.



Mine where flat, and allowed that brown staining on the engine.



Is this where the fuel was leaking from?

No Gord-not from there...trying to figure out how to post my pics here

[Mooskee]

https://postimages.org/ Seems to work pretty well. I put the pics in a separate folder in my Valkyrie file. Then go the postimiages site, and upload them to the site. They then give you links you can use to insert them in the forum. Use the "thumbnail for forum" and just past it straight into the message. Your pic will show up as a thumbnail in the message block. If it is clicked on it will direct to a large picture on the hosting site.  Don't use the "insert hyperlink" button on the forum for pics from the postimiages site.

Give it a try. You'll get it figured out pretty quickly.

[gordonv]

go to postimage.org and set up an account. I created a folder called forum posts, where I place all pictures I post onto forums, so 5-10 years from now, my pictures are still there.

Give me a call when you're ready to setup/post a picture, and I can help you with a walk through.

[Canoodle]

go to postimage.org and set up an account. I created a folder called forum posts, where I place all pictures I post onto forums, so 5-10 years from now, my pictures are still there.

Give me a call when you're ready to setup/post a picture, and I can help you with a walk through.
[/quote

Thanks bud-will muddle my way through it-if stuck will give you a shout. You up for a cuppa joe one
of these days ?]

[Canoodle]

[Canoodle]

Wow a pic !  magic.. now to try and describe where the leak is coming from- you see that Philips head screw-diagonally opposite that is the first carb-the leak is where I think the float bowl sits-coming from the little screw that holds things together there, Sorry hard to explain-anyone understand where I mean ?

[jmint]

so the phillips head screw that is on the band clamp between carburetor and intake runner?

It shouldn't leak from there - if you're seeing it there, it's probably higher up.  I'm sure you already confirmed that the bowl drain screws are tight.

Honestly, my opinion is that it's fuel rail related.  My o-rings were rock hard.  That may not have been my full problem, but I'm sure it attributed to it.

[Mooskee]

I agree. That leak has to be coming from higher up. The greatest likelihood is the fuel rail O-rings. Putting fuel on them every day by starting the bike for a few seconds may cause them to swell and stop the leak. Eventually you will need to put in new ones. When that happened to me I decided to just rebuild the whole set. You have to take them apart to change the O-rings anyway. Get Redeye's kit, and download the Honda manual. You will be far better off to learn and do it yourself. A bike shop will charge you a fortune, and will be learning on your carbs too. Do a good job and you will be good for another 20 years. If you have questions, many of us have done it and will be happy to help. There may even be someone in your area who will come help.

[Canoodle]

Thanks reply guys-no the leak is not at the Phillips screw-my bad explanation- it's at the next screw up
and slightly to the left of the Phillips. At the part where I think the float bowl sits.

[Mofla]

My number 5 carb is leaking so this post is very interesting. What , where is the fuel rail ? 

[jmint]

Fuel rail is on the bottom, air rail is on the top.  If you peek inside between 4 and 6, you'll see a hose coming into a bottom t-joint right behind the float bowl.  That's your fuel rail inlet, looks the same on both sides.