Hitachi Carbs no longer made / substitute for what?

Hello All,

Back in the spring of 2011 I took my 1982 750 Yamaha Maxim in to get the carbs looked at. My carburetors have a tendency to leak when the bike sits for an extended period of time. They then majically will stop leaking after I run the bike for about ten plus minutes and let it sit overnight.

At the time the guy told me that considering the carbs don't leak when you run it on a consistent basis it isn't absolutley necessary to take care of the problem. Additionally, he said that they don't make hitachi carbs anymore for that bike that would include the floaters if the floaters end up being a problem. He said that they have an aftermarket kit out there that has rings only without the floaters.

My problem now has became worse. One of the carbs is leaking even though I've been running the bike on a consistent basis. I did the tap the carburetor thing and ran seam foam through it...nothing. I'm now wondering if I do need a new floater where I can find something that will work that is comprable given that according to my information there is no more hitachi carburetors being made?

Also, I've been running de-oxygenated gas through my bike three times this season. The first two times no leaks and not the third time a leak. Is it possible that though this gas is said to be the best for motorcycles is it possible that the normal 87 octane gas is better?

Any ideas on what to do to solve this problem whether through a shop or not?

Thanks,

-Wade

 

I think you got poor information from whomever looked at your bike. I don't know whether the carburetor bodies are still made, but most of the component parts are. Short of you breaking something you really shouldn't need a new carburetor.

The floats are very unlikely the problem. Most likely it's the float valves which I'm sure are still available aftermarket, and quite likely OEM too.

If you're going to do it yourself read the tutorials in the XJ FAQ Suggestions board. Then tear them down and figure out what you need.

Or, you can find a shop that knows what they are doing (may be difficult).

 

Sounds like the needles and seats are not sealing properly. Good carb rebuild is in order. See XJ4ever at top of this page for all the parts needed.

MN

 

the fuel petcook is the problem, or at least one of them, once the bike is shut off and the valve set to run or prime, no gas should come out of the tank at all even if the carbs are on the bench

 

"or prime"??? :?:

C'mon... I know you know better. :lol:

 

What Carl said. The guy was totally yanking your chain. Floats themselves don't fail; the problem DOES need to be fixed, and the parts to do so are readily available.

Oh, and "ON" and "RES" are vacuum operated and no fuel should flow when the petcock is set to either of those positions unless the motor is running. Mr. P had a "senior moment."

 

Hey everyone... Thanks for the tips. I miscommunicated in my original post on my question in that the bike doesn't leak gas when it is not running. There is no fuel petcock problem as it got replaced three years ago. The bike will leak while it's running after it hasn't been run for an extended period of time. Then the problem used to go away after I ran the bike for a little while and let it sit overnight. Now it's leaking constantly when it's running even though I've been running the bike consistently.

Thanks.

 

Then that would indicate a sticky/balky float or floats (the valves are what get gummed up, the actual floats don't fail.) It could also indicate a bad seal or seals on the inter-carb fuel distribution pipes; or a combination of both.

A larger concern would be how much of the "extra" gasoline is finding its way into your crankcase. Be sure to closely monitor your oil level for a sudden increase until you have the problem resolved.