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

[Legionnaire]

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!

 

[Guest]

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.

 

[Legionnaire]

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-MIKU...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item460514f0dd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GS30...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/fich...y=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1980&fveh=2093

 

[GateKeeper]

try here

http://www.jetsrus.com/

.

 

[Legionnaire]

try here

http://www.jetsrus.com/

.

Nobody seems to carry the GS450s needle jets, and JetsRUs doesn't have the float needle by itself, just as a set with the seat, so close!

Most float needles look identical, couldn't maybe a GS500 float needle fit in mine or anything like that?

 

[Nessism]

Have you posted in the WTB forum yet?

 

[Legionnaire]

Have you posted in the WTB forum yet?

No sir! Good idea! Just made one!

This is my most urgent question right now, sorry to rush such amazing advice from all of you!! I really appreciate every bit of help:

I found these an eBay seller who sells floats that fit 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-GS30...Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c575cb21&vxp=mtr

Anyone have any history of buying these plastic floats?

I checked the part number and its not the same, but has anyone tried these?

 

[Guest]

Sorry, but nup those floats won't work, you need the brass ones.

Have a look at the list of models on the listing and the only 450's are '83 onwards except the automatic '82 model which has different carbs to ours also.

These are the two I can find on the Z1 site, not sure if either are the right ones though:

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...on=Mikuni+Brass+Float+Assembly&item=MA002-501

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...ass+Float+Assembly+H2+H1+KH500&item=SU002-114

This could potentially be it at jetsrus.com also:

http://www.jetsrus.com/individual_parts/002_114_su.html

I would probably talk to Z1 first though... they should know what you need.

 

[Legionnaire]

Sorry, but nup those floats won't work, you need the brass ones.

Have a look at the list of models on the listing and the only 450's are '83 onwards except the automatic '82 model which has different carbs to ours also.

These are the two I can find on the Z1 site, not sure if either are the right ones though:

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...on=Mikuni+Brass+Float+Assembly&item=MA002-501

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...ass+Float+Assembly+H2+H1+KH500&item=SU002-114

This could potentially be it at jetsrus.com also:

http://www.jetsrus.com/individual_parts/002_114_su.html

I would probably talk to Z1 first though... they should know what you need.

Thanks Pete I was about to go OEM, but I will give this a shot!

EDIT: They said they wouldn't work thanks though!

 

[chuck hahn]

Even after weighting them down and submerging them in gas overnight, they still may "float". The best way to check for sure is to shake them near your ear in a very quiet place and listen for anything sloshing inside each float.

 

[MisterCinders]

Also, check the action on those floats with the gasket in place. Floats that spring nicely on the bench can still snag a gasket edge when the carb is back together.

Is it just me, or do the washers under your needle-valve seats stick out a bit. Z1 has seat washers that actually are a bit too big and can leak.

Have you checked your oil for gas yet? Do that and change the oil and filter if there is any hint of gas in the oil.

 

[Legionnaire]

Also, check the action on those floats with the gasket in place. Floats that spring nicely on the bench can still snag a gasket edge when the carb is back together.

Is it just me, or do the washers under your needle-valve seats stick out a bit. Z1 has seat washers that actually are a bit too big and can leak.

Have you checked your oil for gas yet? Do that and change the oil and filter if there is any hint of gas in the oil.

Okay well I bought OEM floats, just because I might as well, along with OEM gaskets and a new petcock. This should either fix my issues or make it easier to figure out what is actually going on.

I will do the stuff you guys recommend and see if any of this stuff happens.

About the valve gaskets, it is a little weird you can straight up see them, don't some of these have rubber o-rings instead of paper gaskets?

 

[MisterCinders]

Okay well I bought OEM floats, just because I might as well, along with OEM gaskets and a new petcock. This should either fix my issues or make it easier to figure out what is actually going on.

I will do the stuff you guys recommend and see if any of this stuff happens.

About the valve gaskets, it is a little weird you can straight up see them, don't some of these have rubber o-rings instead of paper gaskets?

No. They have those red filter washers or sometimes a metal one. Not rubber though.

Test them like so. Remove the float bowls and hold the carbs in the upright position over a catch basin or bucket. Run some fuel into the line and lift the floats. If any fuel continues to drip out, the needles may be leaking. If the washer is bad, it will drip or dribble out as well.

HTH

 

[Legionnaire]

No. They have those red filter washers or sometimes a metal one. Not rubber though.

Test them like so. Remove the float bowls and hold the carbs in the upright position over a catch basin or bucket. Run some fuel into the line and lift the floats. If any fuel continues to drip out, the needles may be leaking. If the washer is bad, it will drip or dribble out as well.

HTH

Okay so I did this test and it might actually just be my fuel T joint that splits the fuel to the different carbs... I am mind blown. It might be an accumulation of everything, so I don't mind the extra parts, but whoa!

Where did you guys buy replacement fuel T's because I can only find brass ones or plastic the OEM one is rubber coated and seems nice quality. OEM is like $30 which is outrageous, thanks for the info everyone! Thansk MisterCinders for that test it helped a lot!!

One more thing I scrubbed my carbs sooooo much and then boiled them to try and get the dusty finish off them and they visually look just as bad, but now when I rub my hand over them there doesn't seem to be any or barely any residue on my finger. I am just ****ed that this might ruin my carbs just cause some weird carb dip reaction, they look terrible and dirty, but are actually really clean. Some opinions would help a lot!

For the people that don't really get what happened, basically my carbs look like they are made of stone not metal, they are dull and not smooth at all.

 

[Guest]

I had fuel leaking from my T, but nowhere near as bad as that.

I bought an OEM replacement from Boulevard Suzuki for something like $17, so not sure where you're seeing it for $30... over here it was $47

At least you were able to get the residue of your carbs!

 

[Legionnaire]

I had fuel leaking from my T, but nowhere near as bad as that.

I bought an OEM replacement from Boulevard Suzuki for something like $17, so not sure where you're seeing it for $30... over here it was $47

At least you were able to get the residue of your carbs!

Yeah see mine was just spewing it out, probably didn't help that my petcock didn't shut off before but now with my replacement it stops IMMEDIATELY it's awesome I used to have to vice grip the line to take my tank off!

Boulevard says $25 + $10 shipping almost $40 I find that just crazy... Z1 has these, but I don't know how well they work: http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDe...+Line+T+Connector+1/4"+((1))&item=MP12-0019-1

Dang Australia has got a hard life for getting stuff shipped out :/

Yeah I mean logically:

No Residue = Clean Carbs (right?)

Even if they look awful and like they are carved out of stone...

EDIT: Used the search button like a good boy and found out 8mm line will work but 7mm is ideal.

 

[Guest]

You know you can just put a dab of fuel resistant gasket maker on those fuel T's, put them in place, bolt the carbs together to keep them in place and Bob's your uncle no more leaks. Although, you did have a ton of fuel leaking out, not your average drip. If you believe all that fuel was pouring out from the fuel T's there must be a problem in there, more than just loose T's which is normal for old carbs. But I doubt it's your fuel T, it was just far too much fuel.

 

[gs450sjip]

Nobody seems to carry the GS450s needle jets, and JetsRUs doesn't have the float needle by itself, just as a set with the seat, so close!

Most float needles look identical, couldn't maybe a GS500 float needle fit in mine or anything like that?

I used Mikuni P.N. N122/032-2.5 for a needle and seat replacement, much less $$ than Suzuki this was on my GS450S . They work great, also Mikuni VM24-171 float works well too at less cost than Suzuki
GS450SJIP

 

[Legionnaire]

You know you can just put a dab of fuel resistant gasket maker on those fuel T's, put them in place, bolt the carbs together to keep them in place and Bob's your uncle no more leaks. Although, you did have a ton of fuel leaking out, not your average drip. If you believe all that fuel was pouring out from the fuel T's there must be a problem in there, more than just loose T's which is normal for old carbs. But I doubt it's your fuel T, it was just far too much fuel.

Okay I will definitely try that, but it just sounds like it is prone to leaking. I really want to make sure nothing comes out or breaks down. There is definitely a lot of gas coming down, but I blame part of that on my petcock and how it used to just flow out, but that is also why I am replacing float bowl gaskets, and floats.

I think it's a mixture of everything at once.

Thanks gs450sjip those are WAY cheaper I am gonna hold off on the valve seats and stuff for now because I don't think that is my issue.

I am having the hardest time locating a stupid fuel tee, mine is ~49mm long and I can't find any aluminum/o-ring type ones in a length near mine, such a bummer.

 

[Guest]

I couldn't find a source either, just bit the bullet and went OEM...

You could always give the fuel proof sealant a go just to prove your theory while you wait for an OEM one... and this is probably one case where buying a second hand one may not be the best solution either...