rangerider
10-11-2011, 08:57 PM
Due to a steady diet of 65+ hour weeks this year, I didn't get out riding much. Took the Low Rider out after a several month sit awhile back, and had fuel pouring out everywhere after a mile or so.
The first source was the main fuel line from the shutoff valve to the carb, a braided line, no less. Took it off, tested with a fresh piece of line to make sure as there was gas everywhere, and then replaced it. Immediately I had gas burping out the overflow line from the carb. Checked the float bowl drain screw, replaced the o-ring, it was okay. Put the MityVac on, vac-ed the line and still had gas coming out. Figured I had a stuck float, so off came the bottom end of the carb to look.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair1.jpg
Nothing evident, float was fine, inlet needle fine, seat was good as far as I could see with a LED mirror. Checked float with a shallow pan of gas..no leaks. Float bowl showed minor discoloration from sitting and some condensation over time - nothing I hadn't seen before.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair2.jpg
Then I noticed the accelerator pump rod had considerable condensation/discoloration.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair3.jpg
Having been through most everything I could think of for fuel level problems, I thought maybe the diaphragm was contaminated enough to cause the condition. Dropped the housing and sure enough..
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair4.jpg
Replaced the diaphragm and cleaned the seat. Reassembled the carb and gave it vacuum and everything looked good. Road test and subsequent ride were fine. I did replace the float bowl screws with allen style (http://images1.hellotrade.com/data2/XO/DH/HTVENDOR-2066963/allen-head-smooth-250x250.gif) fasteners..two head-stripped (one front, one back) never been touched and with a Snap-on screwdriver. Had about enough of that..the one in back was a real bear to get off, about had to completely disengage carb and throttle linkage to do it.
I'm pretty good about some HEET and Seafoam run into the tank/carb before winter storage, but I believe I'll start draining the carb but leaving the tank full. Always get nervous about gaskets/o-rings sitting dry.
The first source was the main fuel line from the shutoff valve to the carb, a braided line, no less. Took it off, tested with a fresh piece of line to make sure as there was gas everywhere, and then replaced it. Immediately I had gas burping out the overflow line from the carb. Checked the float bowl drain screw, replaced the o-ring, it was okay. Put the MityVac on, vac-ed the line and still had gas coming out. Figured I had a stuck float, so off came the bottom end of the carb to look.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair1.jpg
Nothing evident, float was fine, inlet needle fine, seat was good as far as I could see with a LED mirror. Checked float with a shallow pan of gas..no leaks. Float bowl showed minor discoloration from sitting and some condensation over time - nothing I hadn't seen before.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair2.jpg
Then I noticed the accelerator pump rod had considerable condensation/discoloration.
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair3.jpg
Having been through most everything I could think of for fuel level problems, I thought maybe the diaphragm was contaminated enough to cause the condition. Dropped the housing and sure enough..
http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp7/harleyspur1/LowRiderRepair4.jpg
Replaced the diaphragm and cleaned the seat. Reassembled the carb and gave it vacuum and everything looked good. Road test and subsequent ride were fine. I did replace the float bowl screws with allen style (http://images1.hellotrade.com/data2/XO/DH/HTVENDOR-2066963/allen-head-smooth-250x250.gif) fasteners..two head-stripped (one front, one back) never been touched and with a Snap-on screwdriver. Had about enough of that..the one in back was a real bear to get off, about had to completely disengage carb and throttle linkage to do it.
I'm pretty good about some HEET and Seafoam run into the tank/carb before winter storage, but I believe I'll start draining the carb but leaving the tank full. Always get nervous about gaskets/o-rings sitting dry.