HELP! GS450 Float Bowl Leaking (Lots of Pictures/Videos)

I've only just tuned in to this, but to be honest it looks to me like two issues... dodgy fuel tap and one float that's sinking. Also, those floats being different sizes will definitely not be right I don't think.

The gaskets certainly could add a third factor, maybe one wasn't seated correctly and got pinched putting the float bowls back on? That would be easy enough to do.

I'd definitely go with genuine gaskets, about $5 each from Boulevard if I remember correctly. Cheap!

The first description you gave of your fuel tap was that it flows in both On and Res positions... the float valves won't be able to hold that back forever especially if one of your floats is leaking as well...

And on the side stand will tilt the carbs in the right direction to increase the force from the leaking fuel tap I would think.

We don't have Berryman's here so I can't comment on the residue, but I would definitely give them a good scrub!

Keep us up to date with what you find.

Always dropping some serious knowledge on me Pete, plus making this all very clear. Okay so my game plan as of right now is to buy these items:

Float Bowl Gaskets (x2) (BikeBandit)
Valve Seat Gaskets (x2) (BikeBandit)
Float Needles (x2) (I can only find a pack of 6 on Z1)
Floats (x2) (Z1 offers plastic floats for $26 a pair of float/pin)
Needle Jets (x1) (I can't find a place that sells these at all)

I also JUST purchased a brand new petcock so that is another culprit off the list.

If anyone can find a place that sells Needle Jets or Float Needles that would be awesome, because I don't REALLY need 6 float needles, but I will buy if I have to! Thanks y'all!

UPDATE: I found these two eBay sellers who are selling floats that claim will fit in a GS450 82-88, mine is an 81 and all these parts seem rather universal, anyone know if this would fit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-MIKUNI-GS450-GS650-GS850-GS1150-GS250-GS550-MIKUNI-CARBURETOR-FLOAT-/300732969181?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item460514f0dd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS300-GS450-GS550-GS650-CARBURETOR-CARB-FLOAT-/140751784737?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c575cb21&vxp=mtr

Z1 sells what look to be the same floats for a little more and claim the same thing, they don't fit my EXACT year, but the same model bike just a year later will fit it...

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Carburetor+Float+Set+&item=KL18-2609

Or should I not mess with the plastic ones at all and just go for OEM of my own specific year, they are $25 for float/pin from Boulevard:

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=92173&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1980&fveh=2093

[pete]

I've only just tuned in to this, but to be honest it looks to me like two issues... dodgy fuel tap and one float that's sinking. Also, those floats being different sizes will definitely not be right I don't think.

The gaskets certainly could add a third factor, maybe one wasn't seated correctly and got pinched putting the float bowls back on? That would be easy enough to do.

I'd definitely go with genuine gaskets, about $5 each from Boulevard if I remember correctly. Cheap!

The first description you gave of your fuel tap was that it flows in both On and Res positions... the float valves won't be able to hold that back forever especially if one of your floats is leaking as well...

And on the side stand will tilt the carbs in the right direction to increase the force from the leaking fuel tap I would think.

We don't have Berryman's here so I can't comment on the residue, but I would definitely give them a good scrub!

Keep us up to date with what you find.

Get the OEM kits.. They are not that expensive and its worth it that you only have to replace them once. Tons of posts on here about aftermarkets that do not do the job..

What are these OEM kits you speak of, could you please point me in the right direction? I was just talking about buying OEM float bowl gaskets, but if you are talking about a whole set please let me know! Thanks!

Get the OEM kits.. They are not that expensive and its worth it that you only have to replace them once. Tons of posts on here about aftermarkets that do not do the job..

I have a GS450, but these don't seem to look like they would fit my float bowls, they have the one tab off to the side that I need, but the tab in the center doesn't look familar...



Here is the shop link:

http://www.georgefixs.com/servlet/the-12/GS450--PO%27-BOY/Detail

If anyone has had any luck let me know, I am in the end going to get OEM gaskets most likely.

I have had Berrymens do that to carbs also, on a couple of occasions. I am not sure why but it seams to happen to the carb bodies that are thicker at the throat areas. Alot of 70's carbs, I always figured Mikuni had made the carbs from an alloy and there was a chemical reaction. Also noticed it happens more frequently with Berrymens that has been used a few times. It will leave a blackish dusty film on the carbs after a good dip. For the most part I just wash them real well with hot soapy water after the dip and then blow them out clean. I am not sure of the cause but have seen it a few times.

YES! I am so happy someone else has experience with this! All my brass parts that are on the carbs that got dipped are black too! I will definitely try and tear 'em down and give them a good scrub because they feel as if they are just covered in dust and I don't want all that going into my engine!

Such a weird problem...

Hey Tom thanks! I don't think I am gonna get anything else from Z1 other than a petcock so should I order from that guy then?

Super cheap price thanks.

Z1 has 6 packs of float needles, and no one I found carries Needle Jets, can anyone point me in the right direction for Float Needles and Needle Jets, thanks seriously thank you everyone!

[hjfisk]

Berryman Carb Dip, I have used it twice before with no issues

I have had Berrymens do that to carbs also, on a couple of occasions. I am not sure why but it seams to happen to the carb bodies that are thicker at the throat areas. Alot of 70's carbs, I always figured Mikuni had made the carbs from an alloy and there was a chemical reaction. Also noticed it happens more frequently with Berrymens that has been used a few times. It will leave a blackish dusty film on the carbs after a good dip. For the most part I just wash them real well with hot soapy water after the dip and then blow them out clean. I am not sure of the cause but have seen it a few times.

[tom203]

Okay so it sounds like a new petcock, float bowl gaskets, float needles, and my one needle jet should be replaced and then go from there?

Would this petcock work okay, or should I go with a 100% OEM one?

If you're getting stuff from Z1, get petcock there. I got mine from this guy- genuine made in japan $45 shipped

http://www.georgefixs.com/servlet/the-148/SUZUKI-GS450%2C-GS650%2C-GS750%2C/Detail

What did you dip your carbs in, to get that rough finish ?

Berryman Carb Dip, I have used it twice before with no issues

What did you dip your carbs in, to get that rough finish ?

I think Z1 has the petcock as well (which if it's only a couple dollars more, I would buy from them instead).

As far as the oem carbs parts go, I can't really help too much. Sudco might be able to get them, but I haven't looked at individual carb parts for stock carbs for quite some time.

The petcock is actually half of the OEM dealer site, hell yeah! I am gonna order one of those, but the part that makes me nervous is that the metal on my carbs is deteriorating because it honestly feels rough to the touch after the carb dip, it doesn't even feel like metal. It also rubs off so if gas is flowing through it I feel like it's gonna be nonstop dirty...

I am really contemplating buying those carbs off eBay, because I have no clue what the carb dip did to my carbs and by the time I buy all the OEM parts to replace on my carbs I might as well just buy those refurb ones, bad idea?

EDIT: I take that back all the repairs to my carbs is NO where near the price of those carbs, but I am only worried because my stripped out bolt holes on the carb body and the metal finish.

I think Z1 has the petcock as well (which if it's only a couple dollars more, I would buy from them instead).

As far as the oem carbs parts go, I can't really help too much. Sudco might be able to get them, but I haven't looked at individual carb parts for stock carbs for quite some time.

I think you mean float needles - the needle jets are above the main jets. But yes, you're correct about the floats stopping gas flow. In my experience however, a full tank of gas has enough pressure to over power the floats / float needles and flood the motor.

With a perfect fuel system, gas wouldn't get past the petcock without the motor running. When in doubt - replace what is needed. It's truly not worth the risks.

Okay so it sounds like a new petcock, float bowl gaskets, float needles, and my one needle jet should be replaced and then go from there?

Would this petcock work okay, or should I go with a 100% OEM one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS450-550-650-700-750-850-1100-FUEL-PETCOCK-/270987264608?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f18198260&vxp=mtr

For one thing, those carbs are filthy. You need to fully break them down and soak all the parts in carb dip per the carb rebuild tutorial. The general purpose CV carb type rebuild tutorial is linked in my signature, and a 450 specific version is on Basscliff's website.

Replace all the O-rings, the intake pipe O-rings, and get some new float needles, needle jets (at least the one in the photo), and the float that doesn't fit right. Oh, and you need a new petcock. Someone monkeyed around inside the carbs big time, so you need to make everything right otherwise you have no chance of getting your bike to run right.

Short cuts are long cuts when it comes to carbs. Please fix them right ONE time.

Good luck

I just tore down the carbs COMPLETELY and soaked them for two days in carb cleaner, other than the one carb that sat at the fluid line they seem to look clean. I am really not kidding I soaked them for sooooo long, sprayed them and blew air in all the wholes. I think they look bad because of what I was saying about the surface feeling dusty.

They used to have a sheen to them, they looked metal now after this soak they look/feel like gray clay sort of like they are deteriorating. And before this soak I JUST soaked them maybe a month ago following the GS450 carb rebuild completely both times.

The o-rings were replaced maybe 3 months ago, along with the intake o-rings. I just don't understand why all this is happening now because I got the bike like this and it worked fine even with the petcock flowing when "ON" I have been riding it fine for months and now this is happening.

I was also wondering where I should buy float needles? Because the OEM site doesn't sell them alone. I would also like to know where to buy needle jets because they are discontinued on the OEM parts sites as well, thanks a lot ahead of time!

I think you mean float needles - the needle jets are above the main jets. But yes, you're correct about the floats stopping gas flow. In my experience however, a full tank of gas has enough pressure to over power the floats / float needles and flood the motor.

With a perfect fuel system, gas wouldn't get past the petcock without the motor running. When in doubt - replace what is needed. It's truly not worth the risks.