Fairly large gas leak. Thoughts?

[CDNRatMan]

  ok fingers crossed........

[dkeshish]

So new petcock is in and tomorrow I'll fill it full of gas...

[greenbarn]

Ron Ayers has them too, I think around $100.  I think that's where I bought mine, but not for sure.   I had tried a re-build kit first, and even though I'm pretty mechanically inclined I could not make it work to save my life.  I think I had the petcock apart 10 times, and tried all kinds of tricks, but it still always dripped when I put it back together.   

[gdrudd13]

I bought a new petcock at Bikebandit.com when i needed one. The price has gone up, so it might be had for cheaper elsewhere now.

[dkeshish]

Well guys no more gas leaking after moving the petcock to the res position! I'm just going to buy a new one anyone know of a good deal?. Now realizing that the issue is resolved. I am going to change the oil, as I'm sure gas has gotten into it... Damn just changed the oil less than 100 miles ago... What started off as a major issue me worried about the worst turns out to be a frickin petcock. Thanks to all for talking me off the ledge. :-)

[dkeshish]

Well, if it's really gasoline, and for sure coming out of the rear header gasket - then it about has to be coming through the engine.  I looked at mine, and looks like if it were sitting on the side stand, then if the carb was leaking, it could leak into the rear cylinder, and right into the rear pipe.

you might want to pull off the fuel hose going to the carb.  The petcock valve is an auto-shut off valve.  It has to have vacuum on it to come on, either in the "on" or "res" position.   You don't happen to have it on the "PRI" position do you??  The "PRI" position is full-on, with or without vacuum.  That would cause additional pressure on the carb float valve.  Make sure you're on "ON" or "RES".   So, with the bike not running, no fuel should flow through the petcock to the carb.  If it does- then your petcock is leaking.  I had to replace mine last year - fuel was running all the time.

You can also see if you have more fuel coming out of the cylinder, now that you have the pipe off.   Of course, if the float is sticking it could have drained the carb bowl, then stopped leaking gas, because the bowl is empty.  You can try putting the fuel petcock over on "PRI" for a minute then back to "ON" , this will fill the bowl if it's empty and you can see if you have more gas run through.  If you do, the float needle valve is not sealing.

As far as the bolt being loose ---  Do you mean the nut was loose when you went to take the pipe off??  Or after you took the pipe off, then you noticed the exhaust stud was loose??  If it's the latter, no big deal.  The studs often loosen up when you back off the nut to remove it.  no big deal.

hi. Petcocks always on the on position. And in regards to the pipes I meant the nut. Sorry not bolt.

[dkeshish]

Well guys as always my fellow drifter owners help me out... So I removed the hose leading out of the petcock.the petcock is always in on position... There was a drip every few seconds which I imagine if the bowl is full in the carb every drip adds up to an overflow... So I kept the hose off, moved it to the res position and no more leak. I reconnected the hose so let's see if that solves it... Tomorrow I'll know

[Tfrank59]

If gas coming out exhaust, be careful if your cylinder(s) are full of gas--hydro lock condition could damage starting system when you crank it.  Just bump starter button for a second first to make sure she's not full/locked up.  My two cents

[greenbarn]

Well, if it's really gasoline, and for sure coming out of the rear header gasket - then it about has to be coming through the engine.  I looked at mine, and looks like if it were sitting on the side stand, then if the carb was leaking, it could leak into the rear cylinder, and right into the rear pipe.

you might want to pull off the fuel hose going to the carb.  The petcock valve is an auto-shut off valve.  It has to have vacuum on it to come on, either in the "on" or "res" position.   You don't happen to have it on the "PRI" position do you??  The "PRI" position is full-on, with or without vacuum.  That would cause additional pressure on the carb float valve.  Make sure you're on "ON" or "RES".   So, with the bike not running, no fuel should flow through the petcock to the carb.  If it does- then your petcock is leaking.  I had to replace mine last year - fuel was running all the time.

You can also see if you have more fuel coming out of the cylinder, now that you have the pipe off.   Of course, if the float is sticking it could have drained the carb bowl, then stopped leaking gas, because the bowl is empty.  You can try putting the fuel petcock over on "PRI" for a minute then back to "ON" , this will fill the bowl if it's empty and you can see if you have more gas run through.  If you do, the float needle valve is not sealing.

As far as the bolt being loose ---  Do you mean the nut was loose when you went to take the pipe off??  Or after you took the pipe off, then you noticed the exhaust stud was loose??  If it's the latter, no big deal.  The studs often loosen up when you back off the nut to remove it.  no big deal. 

[Hoggy]

Hoggy, hope it rains all night for you.....oh are you going to TO to the International Bike Show in Jan?

Responding to Ratman who already hijacked this thread: LOL

Well, your wish came true and then it changed to snow. Yes, I'll be at the International Bike Show in January but if you can't wait that long I'll be in Capreol next Thursday.

[CDNRatMan]

  Ok the gaskets required are 11060-1680 cost @ $7.58 ea, and yes you require 2 of them. But check inside the pipes because mine were almost melted on the pipe ends when I took them off just after I bought the bike.
Also a lose bolt will or could cause the bike to back fire at deceleration. But why it would be leaking fuel at the exhaust port is not my area of knowledge......
If you cleaned the fuel tank recently then you may have issues until all the particles are moved out of the carb.

Troll......GB .......come on guys......

[dkeshish]

Well dudes now I'm at a loss and need ur expertise. I removed the rear exhaust and the gas leaking is coming from there. By the way I noticed the rear bolt holding the pipe was loose as well. And isn't there supposed to be crush gaskets on all pipes? I'm also thinking the needle is dirty and stuck hence the reason for the fuel dripping. Thoughts? I'm a little happy its fuel as opposed to oil
I'm also thinking it could be the petcock. I recently emptied the tank out and cleaned out some rust. Maybe bits are in it?

[greenbarn]

dkesh:  why don't you clean everything under that cover up really good, everywhere the leaking stuff is, then leave it sit over night to see where it leaks from (if it does).    If it doesn't leak at all (sitting), then you'll need to give it a ride around the block, and check it out again. 

[CDNRatMan]

 KW they are black rubber plugs, if you go to the Ron Ayers site and look in battery section and why there not sure you can find them there.
if you look you can see it in the picture at the bottom, I used black silicon sealer for a fish tank to hold it in place.

[Troll]

Based on where the possible leak is, and the close proximity of the trans sprocket, it's entirely possible that the sprocket shaft seal has started to leak. Pretty easy job, but if not taken care of, it will  leak engine oil on the chain which will, in turn, make a mess on the rear wheel. Common enough problem with chain drive bikes, especially as they age.

[greenbarn]

if your auto shut-off valve on the tank was leaking AND the float stuck on your carb - then MAYBE it could be gas leaking into the motor and out of the exhaust - I haven't looked to see what the down-hill path would be for the gas - obviously the gas would have to follow the flow of gravity.

But like Ratman said, you should smell it if it's gas, and it should start hard (flooded) if the gas were leaking through there.   I don't think it would be jetted rich enough to cause raw gas run through to the exhaust.

[pcarrell]

Even Ratman? 

Please note:  I did not start this!

[kw-retrorider]

Ratman - What do those plugs look like.....black? There are several locations.

[CDNRatMan]

  you might want to see were the end of your evaporation hose ends and is located. You have a real issue if drinking effects your sense of smell....lol....nose plugs are cheaper then rehab......of course you did clean up the area and so any new leaks will be visible......have a nice day and be safe......

Hoggy, hope it rains all night for you.....oh are you going to TO to the International Bike Show in Jan?

[dkeshish]

  Oh Hoggy we have not even met and you already are in the same level as PC. Thought as you were from ON you might be on my side of things but I see you have thrown me to the wolves and fast......

dkeshish, if it was gas you should have smelt it right off. We have reached the limit of my abilities as to such mechanical stuff, and now we need to call the experts like GB and Troll to help you with this part.

it does smell but it was late and I was into a few Heineken's... I swear I thought it smelled like motor oil. Lol. I'll give it a day and see what comes out. Ifits gas it should evaporate and not continue I did fill it up all the way to the top to store and I had never done that before...

[CDNRatMan]

   Oh Hoggy we have not even met and you already are in the same level as PC. Thought as you were from ON you might be on my side of things but I see you have thrown me to the wolves and fast......

dkeshish, if it was gas you should have smelt it right off. We have reached the limit of my abilities as to such mechanical stuff, and now we need to call the experts like GB and Troll to help you with this part.

[dkeshish]

Even Ratman? 

sure why not. Lol

[Hoggy]

thank you. You all are so great in this forum.

Even Ratman? 

[dkeshish]

Well, opened the cover up and no leak. Full disclosure as apparently I'm an idiot and can't tell the difference between oil and gas. I think its gas.. And its coming from the gasket of the rear exhaust... Could that happen? Burning too rich? I have after market straight pipes with baffles and the stock filter. Not sure if the previous owner ever jetted the carb but I'm almost positive he did not as it burps on downshifting always...

[dkeshish]

Also as an after thought check the picture for later after you get the oil leak figured out. Part number 92066-1434 for the frame plug.

thank you. You all are so great in this forum. I'll pull it off and check it tonight.