Fuel Leak 1981 GS550

[Misterj1953]

Folks, let me first assure you that I have exercised the search function. But I have not yet come up with a specific answer to my problem.

I recently purchased a 1981 GS 550 T with only 2500 miles. It ran well for a while but it developed a serious fuel leak, apparently through the number 2 carb, coming out the number 2 exhaust. I suspect that my crankcase is also probably full of fuel.

I have pulled the carbs, and had them overhauled. But the problem persists.

I believe now, thanks to what I have read, that the problem may be that my petcock has given up the ghost. I have ordered a replacement.

Is this a problem that any of you have also experienced, and am I on the right track.

[Bizcocho]

Lots of us have experienced this, and you are on the right track. Everybody here says they 'only' last 25 years. Mine failed after 25 years too, but it was a fatigue failure of an aluminum disk, which should be related to number of cycles, not time.

[JTsGS650]

I also had the same problem with a bad petcock diaphragm. I had fuel leaking down my vacuum line and into the #2 carb, causing the #2 to run rich and fuel to fill my crankcase. I rebuild the petcock with a new diaphragm and orings and my problem was solved. Kudos for using the search function to find this relatively common problem. Oh, and welcome to the forum. :-D

[Misterj1953]

Fixed and fine.