Gas Leak

[Sandmannd]

I put this in the ATV section, but thought I might get some mechanics up here to chime in.

My wheeler was leaking gas. Had a dude clean the carb and it runs like a top now, but still has a slow leak. I found it yesterday. There is a clear hose that comes from the bottom of the carb and just goes down to the bottom of the wheeler. The guy that cleaned the carb sait it was an overflow tube. I even turn the gas off with the switch and it still drips. Can I point that tube up so it won't leak? What's a good way to fix this problem?

[Macgyver55]

Can you clearly see that the hose comes off the bottom, or could it just be routed down that way from the top? It could be a bowl "vent" or a bowl "drain". Two entirely different things. If the tube comes off the bottom of the bowl it is just a bowl drain tube. Usually there is a screw in the bottom of the bowl to drain it. Check that screw to make sure it is tight. If it is, and still leaks, there may be a bad gasket or o-ring depending on which style they use. If the hose comes off the top it is a bowl "vent", in which case your needle and seat are probably leaking.

[efgh]

On a 4 wheeler I worked on for my son the hose was hooked to a small tube that was above the level of the fuel in the carb. On this 4 wheeler if the float stuck and the fuel rose too high the fuel ran down the over flow tube and out the clear hose you mentioned. If this is the way your 4 wh. is, you have too adjust the float lower. Some times the metal floats leak and fuel enters the float, take out the float, shake the float, listen for fuel slosh in the float, might need replacing, the foam type float sometimes absorbs fuel and does the same thing as the metal float. If its foam and the 4 wh. is older replace the float because the alchoal mixed in the gas eats the protective cover off the older floats.

[Sandmannd]

OK, what you guys said makes a little sense to me. When it comes to mechanics I'm a mental midget and have as much mechanical ability as a nat. That being said when I got home today I looked at it. The hose deffinatly comes off of the bottom. There is a screw there and it's as tight as it goes. What I did, and I doubt this is right, was move the hose up a little and zip tied it to the frame. That way it's not angled down and dripping all the time. Is that a short fix that won't harm it? How do I replace the gasket or o-ring? Does that entail a whole carb kit or just get what I need? Would you recomend just doing a carb kit on it?

[Hafnutz]

I'd bring it back to the guy that cleaned the carb. I know it may not be related but if he worked on it last it's possible he missed something.

[efgh]

The screew has a slite cut in the threads from the top to the bottom too leave any overflow out,the screew keeps durt from entering the carb via drain tube.

[Sandmannd]

Just talking to some mechanics it sounds like it needs a carb kit. Called around and the reponse I got was Yamaha's were notorious for the needle gets the coating removed over time. Took me 8 phone calls (all but one said they don't make kits for those, but you could buy the needle, seat and gaskets (ain't that a kit)) and all wanted 30 or 40 bucks for one. Got a hold of a place in Burnsevill for $17. Just have to find someone to install it. I haven't been able to get a hold of the guy that did the cleaning for me.

[john.wells]

Mine does the same thing. I have the ability and expertise to fix the problem, but I am lazy and cheap. I just turn the petcock to off every time I stop. I would assume your machine has one, as most do unless it has been removed or bypassed for some reason. What type Yamaha do you have?

[Sandmannd]

I've got a 94 Yamaha Kodiak 400.

[john.wells]

does it have a fuel shut-off valve?

[Sandmannd]

Yep, but it leaks even with the fule off so I'm thinking that ain't working either.

[Eric Wettschreck]

My 2000 big bear 400 does the exact same thing. Like John, I have the ability to fix it. Also like John, I'm too lazy and cheap. Once again like John, I just shut off the gas valve when I turn the wheeler off. John, you and I are a lot alike.

[john.wells]

That's funny! Nice to have a good laugh!

For what it's worth, sandman, in case you didn't know- the shut off valve is a 3 position valve. One position is the main flow (lever down), the middle position is off, and the top position is reserve. If you already knew this, sorry to sound condescending, I hope it didn't come off that way.

[Sandmannd]

 Originally Posted By: john.wells

That's funny! Nice to have a good laugh!

For what it's worth, sandman, in case you didn't know- the shut off valve is a 3 position valve. One position is the main flow (lever down), the middle position is off, and the top position is reserve. If you already knew this, sorry to sound condescending, I hope it didn't come off that way.

Didn't come off that way at all. I knew that, the words on the valved help with that . I did order a new petcock assembly today as well. So I'll get that put on when I have the carb kit installed. Just hoping this takes care of my problems.

[Macgyver55]

 Quote:

I did order a new petcock assembly today as well. So I'll get that put on when I have the carb kit installed. Just hoping this takes care of my problems.

The petcock is not necessarily bad. Even after you shut it off it will more than likely still drip a while until the gas line from the petcock to the carburetor is completely drained too. The easiest way to check, is to take the line off at the carb and test it. If it still drains after shutting it off then its bad.

[Sandmannd]

I understand that. But it was only $17 for a new kit, might as well replace it while I'm having other work done.