carb. leak

[terrylee]

I know this has been on here lots of times, but I just want to verify my thoughts. I just cleaned the float bowls and checked the float heights on my sons' 79 850, and checked the float needle valves. (I know a complete cleaning is better), He rode it today and of course some gas came out of carb. #2 float drain after stopping for a while. Petcock is new and set on "on". So I figure it is the float needle valve or seat causing the float to let gas in. I know it is poss. I broke a piece of dirty loose and it lodge and not letting the needle or float work properly.

[Dave8338]

Sounds like a "pulling of the carbs" is in order. I would suggest new float needles as the nitrle tips harden over time and fail to seal tight.

[Nessism]

Sounds like a "pulling of the carbs" is in order. I would suggest new float needles as the nitrle tips harden over time and fail to seal tight.

No rubber tips on GS carbs.

Regarding the problem at hand...you are newbie number 5,282 that shortcutted the carb rebuilding process and now have to do it a second time. You won't be the last I'm sure but if you want to avoid doing the job three times I suggest a full carb tear down and replacing all the various O-rings with a kit from cycleorings.com. While you are there I strongly suggest replacing the intake boot O-rings as well, and perform a valve adjustment.

PS: the GSR homepage has carb rebuild tutorial guide in the Garage section - look for the VM carb guide.

Good luck,

[rapidray]

I'll bet you a dollar that the oring that is around the float needle housing is the cause of the leak. They are available from Suzuki & you should change all 4. Ray.

[Nessism]

I'll bet you a dollar that the oring that is around the float needle housing is the cause of the leak. They are available from Suzuki & you should change all 4. Ray.

I'll take that bet Ray if you make it a beer. Needless to say I'd win since the VM carbs didn't use an o-ring on the float needle seat.

[terrylee]

carb. leak

Thanks guys! I just did a valve adjust. And I know this is a short cut but the carbs. were cleaned by po last summer, and I'm planning on doing complete breakdow this winter. The only reason I did this was because my sons' bike would rev. high sometimes when he stopped after engine was good and warm. So I figured one of the floats was sticking or levels were off. I plan on pulling the carbs. as soon as I get new needles. Also I have didn't take the carb. intake boots off, so I was sure it had intake o-rings since its a 79 VM carb. PS, figured out reving was due to frt. carb. lever where frt. cable attaches sticking, think I may have solved that problem.

[Nessism]

High reving at idle is a sign of air leaks. This condition will damage the engine by making the mixture too lean - the high idle is just a symptom.

Regarding the needles, most likely the ones you have are fine - only way to tell is to pull the carbs apart and inspect them.

[terrylee]

carbs.

Does the 79 gs850GN have o-rings in the intake boots?

[Dave8338]

No rubber tips on GS carbs

It's been 3 1/2 years since I've been into the GS... several Holly's since then...that old age, stupidity, ect... BEER ME!

[Rudeman]

Does the 79 gs850GN have o-rings in the intake boots?

Yes, they all do. While you have the boots off, check them for cracks.

[Nessism]

Yes, they all do. While you have the boots off, check them for cracks.

Make that almost all.

Some of the first year 750's didn't have the O-rings and I think the 400's as well. Then the second generation 16V 750/1100's didn't use them either but the 3rd generation 750 went back to them. I'm not sure about the 1150 - feeling too lazy to look it up.

[Steve]

And I know this is a short cut but the carbs. were cleaned by po last summer,

The ONLY time you can shortcut a carb cleaning is when you know how they have been treated since the last FULL cleaning.

If there was a PO involved during that time, all bets are off.
You have no idea what he felt was a "full cleaning".

After all, we all know that POs are all liars. Unless you bought it from me, of course.

.