Need help with fuel leak...

I am soooo close to being able to ride my VFR (or so I thought).

I fired her up today after sitting for a month or more while I've been replacing parts. Started great and sounds awesome. However, I noticed a pretty bad fuel leak coming from somewhere around the carb bowl on the left hand side. I checked all the fuel hoses from the tank to the carbs and they look fine.

I am not running the stock fuel pump. The previous owner installed a low pressure pump from the auto parts store. I'm thinking it may be too much for the carbs and is causing them to leak past the float bowl gasket. I'm also wondering if maybe I just have a stuck float from sitting and the fuel is from the overflow. Where is the overflow on these carbs?

Anyhow, any input is appreciated.

Thanks :smile:

 

I know my 97 will poor gas out somewhere if it sits for a few months....But seems if you shut it off and wait a few minutes the float unsticks and all is good. maybe try to restart it and see what happens...if not I would guess you have it right with a too high pressure pump. Im not sure how these bikes run as the 97 vfr is new to me but my old school knowledge is Gravity feed to carbs on my previous bikes.....maybe someone can enlighten us on this...Brian

 

Well the pump I have on there now should be 2.5 - 4.5psi rated. I'm thinking this should be ok for carbs.

It's probably something simple like a stuck float. I wish I could pinpoint where the fuel is leaking from. I will have to track down the overflow.

 

Well I worked with the carbs again to find the leak(s) by hooking the tank up on the bench. Fuel was pretty much leaking all over and I gave up and pulled the carbs. Good thing I did as these carbs are filled with crap. I am going through them cleaning everything and replacing parts where needed. So far new gasket kits and new insulator boots. Wanted to avoid pulling the carbs, but after seeing their condition once I got them off I'm very glad I did.

 

I'll see what I can do reg. I will try to take some pictures as I go along. I won't be doing a full tear down (i.e. pulling each individual carb from the rack), but a thorough going through nonetheless. I've been pretty busy, but if I have enough good pictures and a moment to throw something helpful together I will try.