Gas leak from left carburators after long storage

[Peter55]

Hello, hope you are all starting to enjoy the riding season. My I/S have 33K miles and it has been properly winterized and in storage for the past 18 months. Every previous years it has winterized and stored for 6 months t the time. I always empty the carbs before storing it, put Stabil and use ethanol free gas. Never had an issues in previous years for doing that. Gas padlock replaced 10 years ago, and the old one was still good. The leaking seems to come from either the middle or the rear carb on the left side, and only when the engine is running with the padlock turned on. If I switch off the padlock with the engine still running the leak stops immediately. I left the gas soaking into the carbs overnight hoping that the rubber rings will readjust themselves, but no luck. It is difficult to pinpoint where exactly the leak come from unless I remove the tank. One of my puzzle is: if there is a leak in one of carbs, shouldn't the leak continue until there is still gas on it, while the engine still running? But it does not. If I turn off the padlock while the engine still run the leak stops immediately. Could it also be that one of the gas lines cracked or that a mice chewed a rubber gas line? The engine turned with no issues on and sounds perfect. Thank you for any input of suggestions.

[John Schmidt]

Padlock?? Don't you mean petcock? And your analysis of the leak sounds OK, possible cracked hose or a mouse snack.

[Mooskee]

If you search "carb leak" on this forum, you will find numerous discussions of this happening. There are various reasons it can happen, but after storage a common one is dried out fuel rail O-rings.  The fuel rails run along the bottom of the carb bank. They feed fuel down to the bowls at the bottom. When you turn off the petcock, you stop the fuel from going to the fuel rails. The engine will keep running for a while until it burns up all the fuel in the carb bank, and carb bowls. If turning off the petcock stops the leak, I would first suspect the fuel rail O-rings are dried out and leaking. Sometimes by putting fuel on the O-rings, you can get them to swell and they will be good for a while. Eventually the O-rings will need to be replaced. Try turning on the petcock and starting the bike for a few seconds. This will put fuel on the fuel rails. Repeat this over a few days and see if the leak slows and stops. While you wait for the O-rings to swell search "carb Leak" and read up. you will probably find what you need.

[Mooskee]

Here are some annotated pics of the carb fuel rails Looking from the top and then from the bottom.

[Peter55]

Thank you all for the advise ...and the helpful pictures which helps to understand the carburetors system better. And yes, John, I meant petcock, sorry, it is the first bike with the manual fuel valve I've owned. 
I have read some post about the problem with the O ring getting dry. Next time I winterize it I won't drain the carbs anymore. I was excited taking the beast out yesterday after 18 months and now I have to deal with this.
I have removed the tank to replace the air filter a couple of times but I'm not sure if I need to take each carburetors apart to replace the O rings if it comes down to it, but I'll do my research and find out. If anyone has done it before and have some suggestion they well appreciated for sure, especially if I need to order any parts before starting taking down the tank and other stuff. Thank you again everyone. 

[Mooskee]

I'm not sure if I need to take each carburetors apart to replace the O rings if it comes down to it, but I'll do my research and find out.

You would have to remove the carb bank and separate the carbs. If it comes to that, I can get you through it. For now hopefully the seals will swell and let you ride for a while.

[Peter55]

Thank you very much for your help, Mooskee. I really appreciate it. Today I restarted the Valk and now the dripping have slowed down considerably to about one drop every two seconds, as compare to 2-3 drops every seconds when I first started it 2 days ago. I only kept the bike running for a minute to prevent the engine to get too hot and risk to catch on fire. Hopefully within few days the drip will stop, but even if it does stop it will be a concern that it may restart dripping at anytime while riding. But if does stop for now at least I can go for short rides and keep an eye on it. Thank you.

[yrunvs]

If the drips don't stop more than likley the carb rack needs to be pulled and the carbs separated and new orings put on the fuel and air rails. Might as well install new slow jets while your at it. You'll need this kit https://redeye.ecrater.com/p/2063876/carburetor-gasket-kit-viton-gf plus carb bowl gaskets. Do your homework and do the job right the first time.....unlike me.  

Watch these videos to start. D Ray is 8 videos. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITyszhh4XHs
and these...
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,116737.0.html

[Peter55]

Thank you for the links, Mooskee. I restarted the bike today for a couple of minutes and I'm so happy to report that, at least for now there is no more leaks.  But if I have to redo the carbs I don't think I can do it myself from what I can see from the videos. I will screw up something for sure. Too many details. I think it would be smarter for me to pay someone who have it done right the first time. I don't even know if Honda dealers in my area do this type of work, but even if they do I may have to give them the bike for free to pay for their labor lol. Perhaps some specialized shop dealing with restoration.
I can't find the post right now, but I'm sure read recently that someone from this club added some special fluid to the fuel tank to help lubricate the drying O rings. I was wondering if you or anyone in here have any suggestion, but chances are that anything that would stick and seal the O rings will probable stick on other parts of the carburetors perhaps triggering other issues.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thank you for the links, Mooskee. I restarted the bike today for a couple of minutes and I'm so happy to report that, at least for now there is no more leaks.  But if I have to redo the carbs I don't think I can do it myself from what I can see from the videos. I will screw up something for sure. Too many details. I think it would be smarter for me to pay someone who have it done right the first time. I don't even know if Honda dealers in my area do this type of work, but even if they do I may have to give them the bike for free to pay for their labor lol. Perhaps some specialized shop dealing with restoration.
I can't find the post right now, but I'm sure read recently that someone from this club added some special fluid to the fuel tank to help lubricate the drying O rings. I was wondering if you or anyone in here have any suggestion, but chances are that anything that would stick and seal the O rings will probable stick on other parts of the carburetors perhaps triggering other issues.   

If you let the bike run regularly it likely won’t leak again. The problem happens when the fuel rails go dry.

[Peter55]

I hope you're right, and for sure I won't leave the fuel system dry again. Thanks.

[yrunvs]

Peter....Meathead has been at this a lot longer than me and he may be right about the orings but these bikes are getting older and the rubber parts especially gas orings and such are drying out. Last riding season all was okay but this spring I had a leak and it did not stop and the only thing was to fix it right. When I disassembled the carbs my fuel tube orings were like hard crusty plastic. So I hope it works out for you but you may want to have a plan if they continue to drip gas. I've done mine and I figure the carbs are good for another 20 years.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’m not saying they shouldn’t be replaced. As a matter of fact, I have a Standard that has been patiently waiting for me to do just that. But, I’ve had them leak many times and they have always sealed back within a day or 2. I’m sure eventually they won’t.

[Jess from VA]

Peter, I also live in Fairfax County VA; just at 30 years (unfortunately).

I have the name and number of the best Valk mechanic I have ever found around here.  He used to be the lead tech at the Woodbridge Coleman Powersports Dealer before he started his own business.

He is down Route 1 almost to Fredricksburg.

I haven't been in touch with him for over a year, but I think he's still up and running.

(I would be very leery of trusting any local Honda (or metric) dealer in the area for your issues).

Shoot me a PM if you would like more info.

Jess 

[Peter55]

Hi Jess, that would be great!. PM sent. Thank you.