Triumphrat

pete241150

My 95 TBird, with mikuni carbs, has a fuel leak, this happens when I shut down the engine and have the fuel tap turned off, there is a strong smell of petrol and sometimes end up with a small pool of petrol under the bike. Can this be caused by a problem with the float, or could it be a sticky jet. I've never stripped down a carb before and I don't want to start pulling off the wrong bits. Any tips would be much apprecated.

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Pete
From Chandlers Ford - Centre of the Universe!!

KD5QOQ

It sounds like a float since you say a "small pool" which would be what's left in the fuel line.
I don't want to burn your house down but if you leave the valve open and a bigger pool is the result then you certainly have a float problem.

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Jimbo
Kroger Plus Member
99 Adventurer
05YZ450F
89 CR500
81CR250

musicisinmysoul

Is it not the Tap, Had a leaky one myself a few years ago.

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And she'll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away!

gregp

Normally, I would closely inspect all of the external fuel lines first. They are the most prone to cracking and leaking, especially around and underneath the clamps. Next, I would check the petcock (Fuel "Tap"), as this is easily inspected without removing any parts. Most start to show their age by first leaking as you move the lever in any way (from "off" to "on", or to "reserve"). Use a flashlight (I recommend an LED type as they are not so hot) to watch the area around the lever as you move it to see if any drops or weeping occurs. Another place to look is the face of the petcock where it is bolted to the bottom of the tank. I have had gaskets go bad there, and start leaking. Sometimes you can just tighten up the bolts and the leak will stop.
If everything looks good, you may have a sticky float valve, or junk in one of the carbs that is allowing the bowl to over fill and run out the overflow. This repair will require you to remove the entire carb bank, and remove the bowls.

DaleE

...first place to start, though, is definitely the petcock. Mine leaked, until I followed the advice that Mick or JimmyJ or someone else offered on this forum: take it off and clean out the sediment and gunk that has accumulated around it, then give the rubber gaskets a thin smear of vaseline and put it back together. After doing this, my long-time leak finally disappeared (and I am so-o-o grateful).

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"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."

patrol21

Hi Pete,

I'm with Dale on this....have a 95 and had the same issue. I actully changed out the Petcock as I did not realize at the time it was rebuildable. if your still getting a bit of gas, I'd go to the floats next....one may be hanging up or is cracked. If you get that far, might as well replace the fuel line. Any simlar size gas line should be fine as long as the in line filter by the carbs fits. Good luck...let us know if your gremlin gets stomped.

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The worst day riding beats the best day at work....no exceptions.

Monty

Checklist...

Fuel pipe
Petrol tap
carb bowl-screws
carb bowl-gasket
float
needle valve

Cup of Tea...and...relax

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Just remember Gramps!, motorcycles are meant to remind you of your youth, when you last remember being happy, so at least try to relive some of that memory.

Woody1911a1

i'd first check to see if the fuel tap is indeed shutting off .

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If you love it , let it go . If it comes back to you , you've highsided ;-)

cafetbird

Another thing to consider (though a longshot) is a partially blocked carb vacuum tube. If one of these becomes blocked on the CV carbs, fuel will flow out into the air box (found this one out the hard way...)

That being said, stuck floats are still the best bet.

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Scot Dail, IBA #31553
Pack Member, Charlotte RAT
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