Hey guys
I was out enjoying the 80 degree temps here in Michigan. Bike ('97 F3) was running great, no problems at all. After about three hours I stopped for a break for about an hour, came out and tried to start her. Had a really hard time turning over, then barely made it down the road when the engine stalled out. I couldnt get it to turn over again after it stalled, so I got a ride home to get my toolbox. I was able to get it started when I got back, but just barely. It wouldnt idle, and gas was pouring out of the air intake junction vent tube on the clutch side. I was able to limp my bike back home, but it barely ran and kept flooding out at every stop. I also had flames comming out of the exaust. I hated puting my bike through this but I couldnt afford to have it towed so this was my only option.

After I got the bike home I pulled the tank and it started right up, idled, and revved up just fine. Put the tank back on and it started up and idled fine, but after about 20 seconds gas began to pour out of that vent tube.
I assumed this had to do with a stuck float, so I pulled the carbs. Floats seem to be working in that i can press on them and they spring back. Maybe the float valves stuck open? I havent put the carbs back on yet to test them. Also- Just cleaned the carbs about 3 weeks ago and they are still spotless. This is the first time ive had a flooding problem so im at a bit of a loss.

Any ideas on what may be causing this? Id really like to get this fixed ASAP.

 

Flooding on a carbureted engine is either too much fuel pressure (not likely on our bikes), or a float valve that's not closing. The float valve is most likely the cause. The float level is not adjustable, so all you can do is make sure there is nothing causing the float valve to get stuck. One thing to do is to polish the inside of the brass fitting where the float valve sits. I've used a piece of scotch-brite pad to clean the inside, then some Brasso (a metal polish) to polish the inside. The bottom line is, if you're flooding, it's the floats and valves causing it. What's the condition of the float valve itself ?

 

Thanks for the response again Dirt! I went through this morning and carefully cleaned the float valves and the floats themselves. They didnt appear to be dirty or obstructed, and looked to be in good condition. I also cleaned the jets again just for good measure. Put everything back together about two hours ago and she started right up after backfiring (not surprising considering how much unburned gas was in the engine). I took it for a drive and its running great! It must have been some minuscule particle mucking up the float valve. First time in three years shes left me stranded and hopefully the last!

 

Hey, glad you're back out there riding, that's great. As for float valves, I've had some that look to be clean and unobstructed. I would find that if I used my finger to move the valve up and down it would move fine, but if I put the slightest latteral pressure against the sides of the brass fitting, it would bind. That's what got me to polishing that opening. I think someone else on this forum has mentioned polishing as well.

Anyway, I'm glad things worked out.