gas drip from sync screws on left side. #2 & #4?

[Texas Jimbo]

Need some help.  Bought my '97 from a dealer 16 months ago.  Put about 8K miles on it since.  Noticed recently that gas seems to be leaking from front left side 2 carb sync screws.  Based on experience, is this the case or is it likely leaking from above the 2 screws?

Best course of action would be what...  wait until too cold to ride and tear down carb bank?  use plumber's teflon tape on leaking screws?  replace fuel lines?  argh....

[Michvalk]

If it was me, I'd be doing a rebuild. I think anything that has gas behind it has o-rings on it. you maybe could do a temp fix by replacing the o-rings, but the rest can't be far behind. Sure it's the sync screws, and not the bowl drain screws? The drain screws will drip if they are a little loose, but usually the gas also drips on the floor where the drains come out. I think I would take some time and check it out a little closer before tearing into it

[Patrick]

I have the same question as Michvalk.. The sync screws can't leak,, so,, where is the leak really occurring ??  Are the pilot screws or drain screws leaking ?? If its the drains,, just try snugging them..  Either way,, the o-rings can be replaced.. Its no big deal with the drains,, but,, the pilots require counting..

[Ricky-D]

Being confined to the left side, the down side while on the side stand, and no obvious candidates I would think the fuel rails would be the most likely suspects.

Shutting off the gas stop will, or rather should, stop the leaking but not fix the leak.

With the bike upright the leaking may stop and there have been a few previous reports that fuel rail leaks seem to fix themselves??

Finding the exact reason for the leaking can be elusive but necessary in order to fix the offending part.

Many times leaks occur from complete removal of the whole carburetor system and detail disassembly where the ensuing leaks usually occur also from the reassembled fuel rails.

Finding the exact cause of the leak is paramount for a correct repair.

***

[ryord]

   I bought a 2001 Standard with 3600 miles on it about 3 years ago. It was advertised in St Louis for 4k$ I thought what a great price for a low  mileage Valkyrie. But did not run from lack of use.                     

  I looked at it spun over the engine and it all sounded good, the bike looked brand new. I trailered it home and took it to a guy who took the carbs off for a cleaning, replaced the petcock all where gummed up from standing gas. I rode the bike home and it ran great however I had on going leaking problems with the carbs just as you are describing.
   
 To make a long story short I ended up placing a call for help on this board and was answered by a great guy in Topeka who told me to bring the bike up and we would take the carbs off and rebuild them with all new gaskets and O rings that I bought from redeye.
 
It was the best decision I could have made. I also replaced the OEM petcock with a Golan. The bike runs as it should now. If I would have studied this tech board before getting the Bike I could have saved myself some money and time. Thanks To all.Rick

[sugerbear]

i'm guessing he's calling the drain screws, sync screws.
i'd do a rebuild of all the carbs.

[Texas Jimbo]

Thanks to e'erbody for your comments.  I've noticed that if I have 2 gallons or less in the tank, and turn off the fuel a few miles from home, I have no leak, but if it's a full tank, it's gonna leak, no ifs ands or buts.

It doesn't leak while riding, or if it sits for a few hours.  It's more of an overnight thing with more fuel in the tank,.

It's gonna be a winter project for sure.  I'll try tightening the carb bowl drain screws this eve, to see if they're snug.

I appreciate each of y'all!

[Patrick]

Almost 11 months for a response !

[Texas Jimbo]

Almost 11 months for a response !

Um....    I've been busy!  had to take out the trash 

[Patrick]

Thats OK, at least we got one. That doesn't always  happen.

[R J]

Just for grins, I'd put a can of SeaFoam in with a full tank of fuel and run that tank out and see if it helps before tearing into the carb bank.

Personally, I use a can of SeaFoam when I put MGM away for the winter.    Come Spring, run that tank and a 2nd tank out, then add a can of SeaFoam to the next tank.     Now these are FULL cans per treatment.       So far in 243K miles, this has kept the old boy running like a clock.    I did change the Petcock to a manual and added the electric, ok, what did I come upstairs for?   Oh Yeah, Dan Marc electric shutoff, no vacuum needed.

[Texas Jimbo]

Thanks again.  This forum has saved me some serious headaches and head scratches since I snagged this girl.

I did drain the bowls and snug up the screws last night, so we'll see what happens over the next few days.