Guest coffeebrake Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Before I buy parts and pull the carbs, I'm thinking through a fuel leak to make sure I'm understanding it right. My '86 VFR700 has begun leaking a lot of fuel when it's running. It seems to be coming from the rear left carb. I'm assuming this is a float needle gone bad. The petcock has always leaked, I installed an in-line on/off valve that I can reach through the fairing. But I never turn it "off" unless I'm pulling the tank. I relied on the float needles to stop the flow of fuel. Well, I think at least one float needle is leaking and the only reason it hasn't hydrolocked is because it has a fuel pump instead of gravity feed. Does this sound right? If it was a float bowl gasket, it would seep all the time, right? But this pours fuel only when the engine is running. The oil doesn't smell like fuel, thank goodness. I'm also puzzled at the sudden nature of the leak. It went from a slight fuel smell one day, to dripping fuel all over the running engine the next. Any ideas? I don't mind working on the carbs, goodness knows I've been through them over and over while resurrecting this wreck. I'd just like to wrap my head around the problem and have all the parts ready and waiting when I pull it apart. I love riding this bike and don't want to have it offline any longer than it has to be. I really appreciate anyone's advice/experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4 Rosso Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Are you positive it isn't the (old) fuel line itself that is leaking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Good call, I did check the fuel line with the bike on the lift and running. The fuel line is dry, it's not leaking. The bottom of the back left carb, though, is pouring fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer V-FORE Posted March 18, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 18, 2012 sounds like a stuck float, tap it with a hammer or something, The rubber tips of the needle valve will get worn after so many years, does she run a little rich also?? good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 The plugs looked pretty good, so not too rich if at all. Wow these float needles are quite spendy. I wonder if there's a cheaper alternative.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 The plugs looked pretty good, so not too rich if at all. Wow these float needles are quite spendy. I wonder if there's a cheaper alternative.... Try here http://v4hondabbs.com/index.php?topic=36751.0 Check your fuel tees 25 year old o-rings not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer V-FORE Posted March 20, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 20, 2012 <p>I just picked up a set of 4 float bowl gaskets & new needles for my '94 for $65 shipped check out on epay "http://myworld.ebay.com/siriusconinc/&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2754" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I'll check 'em out, thanks! Honda wants to sell the valve needle with a new seat. I was just gonna polish the seat and put in a new needle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrelman Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I have a hard time believing that a float needle leaking enough to pour out fuel would not turn your plug black !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 It's in the fuel rail. The rear fuel rail is POURING fuel when the bike is running. I hope I am lucky enough that the o-rings in my Harbor Freight kit will fit. Otherwise, I'll have to order from Honda. I miss riding my VFR so much....I have other bikes, but they're not VFRs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hi CB....How ya doin? I had this same problem with my VF500F. I got a set of o-rings for the bowls and fuel tees from Jamie Daugherty. Included were a set of allen head bowl screws, good deal. Might want to check the tees carefully, they tend to get cracked with age. If the tees are cracked/damaged, aluminum replacements are available from Billy Carr: Billy Carr billycarrjr@earthlink.net 20706 State Hwy. 19 Canton, TX 75103 http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/Modifiedshock.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hi Creaky, great to meet you in GA recently! Thanks VERY MUCH for the info, I'm still hoping I get off easy. Also have a rack of parts carbs though I doubt the fuel rail is intact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Hah, fuel line after all. Was about to break the carbs off the rack and finally saw a cracked line. I've replaced it and hooked the carbs back up to the fuel pump, and no fuel is coming out when the starter motor is turning (and the fuel pump is operating, with fuel in the line. So I'm hoping to re-install and ride tomorrow. I'll just take the float bowl gaskets I ordered and put them aside for later, as a float bowl leak won't deadline the bike like this line did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Good news, glad it was an easy fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Yep, all good on the fuel flow front. Now I can't get the brakes to work.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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