Re: Carbs leaking, starting problems (still)

Posted by alehman on Jun 11, 2012; 9:21pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Carbs-leaking-starting-problems-still-tp4022717p4022783.html

Hey all, thanks for getting back to me. I forgot to mention that I am running an inline fuel filter.

Shinyribs, I did actually just replace the needles with new rubber-tipped ones (the old ones were also rubber) so it's funny you should mention your issue with them. I'm wondering if they just don't sit correctly. As for the fuel, I'll try enriching the idle mixture--- there is no airbox on the carbs, so it makes sense if it is running lean. I didn't know that about the carb backfiring.

seestheday--- when I checked the floats, I dipped them in a little container of gasoline, and they seemed to be very buoyant. It's funny because before I checked them, it was consistently just the #1 that was pouring, and then when I reassembled them it was #1, #3, and #4. I'm flummoxed. I'll definitely give that test a shot, because at this point it's either the needles themselves not seating correctly or particulates in the fuel messing with the seal.

One more question. When I was retightening the valve cover bolts yesterday after checking clearances, I actually snapped not one, but two bolts (bad, I know). I didn't think it would really affect whether or not the bike would start, so I continued putting everything back together and tried to fire it. Of course, nothing happened, but then I heard a hiss of gas escaping. I tried it again and listened for the source and it seemed to be coming from the area of the valve cover with the broken bolts. Granted, I might be completely wrong about where it's coming from, and I'm going to double check. But would it make sense for there to be a pressure buildup under the valve cover? It wasn't there before the bolts broke, and I don't understand why there would be positive pressure under there. Whatever it is, it makes me nervous....