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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: billdn on November 25, 2020, 03:07:40 PM

Title: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: billdn on November 25, 2020, 03:07:40 PM
Having replaced carbs , which were rebuilt some time ago I hasten to add, I thought I'd check the bowls didn't leak by rigging up portable petrol tank. i turned on tap with bated breath and yes the bowls etc do not leak!!
But there was petrol p*****g out from each carb overflow and even the 2 between carb 2 and 3 in the middle - any ideas! I suspect floats stuck but never done carbs before so any pointers would be great !
PS put that fag out!
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 25, 2020, 03:22:40 PM
Smack the float bowls with the handle of a screw driver to see if it will unstick the float valve needles. If that doesn't sort them out, you will probably have to remove carbs to sort out. Has this only just started happening? Are you 100% sure float heights are set correctly.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: billdn on November 25, 2020, 03:29:26 PM
Thanks NJ,
Post cleaning and reassembly could be some 1-2 years and been sitting in a box waiting for the other work to catch up, I did try a tentative tap as I recall having read that elsewhere. No fuel has been in them since cleaning and this is the first time I've tried it. How had a rap should I use, stupid question?
Is it possible that being totally dry something could be stuck I'm hoping a bit of fuel may free things up, I'm leaving it for the mo as the fumes are pretty intense - just pray I haven't got to take the beggars off again!
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 25, 2020, 03:37:31 PM
Thanks NJ,
Post cleaning and reassembly could be some 1-2 years and been sitting in a box waiting for the other work to catch up, I did try a tentative tap as I recall having read that elsewhere. No fuel has been in them since cleaning and this is the first time I've tried it. How had a rap should I use, stupid question?
Is it possible that being totally dry something could be stuck I'm hoping a bit of fuel may free things up, I'm leaving it for the mo as the fumes are pretty intense - just pray I haven't got to take the beggars off again!
If it's a wooden screw driver handle, you can give them quite a whack. Petrol should get things moving, if anything is stuck. We store newly rebuilt carbs for years sometimes, wrapped in a polythene bag and they rarely have a problem with float valves sticking if they have been stored upright, so the floats hang down and don't compress the needle valves.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: billdn on November 25, 2020, 03:42:16 PM
From memory I think they were stored laying flat I'll give them another whack now the fresh petrol has had chance to penetrate. I'll be back!
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 25, 2020, 03:43:20 PM
From memory I think they were stored laying flat I'll give them another whack now the fresh petrol has had chance to penetrate. I'll be back!
Yes, report back 👍👍👍
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: billdn on November 25, 2020, 05:13:18 PM
Sorted, amazing what a whack can do! Have opened carb drain screws now sorted as could be sitting a while longer - cheers Nurse Julie 👍
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 25, 2020, 05:16:13 PM
Sorted, amazing what a whack can do! Have opened carb drain screws now sorted as could be sitting a while longer - cheers Nurse Julie 👍
Great, that was a nice simple fix. Put a dose of Redex in the tank regularly when you get it on the road, it helps prevent problems occurring.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: thegreatpan on November 26, 2020, 04:23:59 PM
Redex NJ? Didn't know that's still a thing. I may go for that. Is there any advice on how much to add to my 400's tank etc?
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 26, 2020, 04:32:35 PM
Redex NJ? Didn't know that's still a thing. I may go for that. Is there any advice on how much to add to my 400's tank etc?
Yep, I never used to use it but I had a sticky float valve on one of my bikes and I think it was John Webley that advised using it. TBH I don't know how much is meant to be put in our little tanks but I think Trig puts in a couple of capfuls every 5-6 times I fill the tank up. I will report back if its vastly different amounts when Trig comes in.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: cliff7 on November 26, 2020, 07:20:44 PM
Matt Harper, the carburettor man, also recommended it after he rebuilt mine.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: thegreatpan on November 27, 2020, 06:49:34 PM
I am off to Halfreuds (I need therapy after shopping there), to get some.
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 27, 2020, 07:09:37 PM
I am off to Halfreuds (I need therapy after shopping there), to get some.
At least its a bit of retail therapy, something that I'm desperate for at the moment. I'm almost tempted to go to Halfords just for a trip out 😁😁😁
Title: Re: Petrol everywhere !
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on December 04, 2020, 12:37:27 AM
Smack the float bowls with the handle of a screw driver to see if it will unstick the float valve needles. If that doesn't sort them out, you will probably have to remove carbs to sort out. Has this only just started happening? Are you 100% sure float heights are set correctly.

I did a similar thing when I did the first start up on my 400/4 after carb rebuild, I did the bike side to side shake instead - it worked a treat.
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