carb float levels off

So after performing this test realized that I don't really know what Im looking for, honestly. How do they look? Is the gas suppose to line up with the bottom of the carb cover? And take a look at number 2 carb, theres nothing there lol can't be good.

 

Um. That's, like, way the hell low.

Here. Take a gander at Setting the Fuel Levels. This might give you a better idea of what to shoot for.

 

The Level you are looking for is difficult to gauge with the Carbs on the Bike.
Since the levels you are showing us are definitely LOW, ... take the Carbs off the Bike and set them up right.

The Level you are shooting for should be as shown by the GREEN or within the YELLOW area on the illustration.

A quick way to adjust those Floats is to get one right (or use one that IS right), ... then ... "Measure".

You can improvise a Measuring Device by Epoxying a Toothpick to a Machinists Ruler with Pocket Clip.

While the Carbs are on-the-bench, ... use the MEASURED Height of the Correct Float Height ... to SET the other three.
Accurately measuring the Heights of the Floats will set them very close to specs.

You can Observe the Clear Tube levels and tweak individual levels as needed.

The Clear Tube method is the Final Word.

Save some time:

Fabricate 4 Clear Tube Tools.
Buy 4 "Right-angle Tube Unions.
Into a short length of hose that attaches to the Bowls outlet, ... affix a Right-angle Union.
Attach a 6" Clear Tube that extends Vertical.
Tie the Vertical extensions to the Carbs to keep them steady.
Open ALL the Drains at once and see where you measure-up.

 

You can't measure them accurately unless you prop the bike up so they're level.

It's easier to pull them and do it right.

 

They should look about like this:


But it appears that yours are so far off that you'll be pulling the rack anyway. Set and verify them off the bike and then check them again one last time once the rack is back on.

 

Dont i have to take the carbs off anyways for any float level adjustment? By opening the bowl up and bending the float prong that pushes the needle down? That's what I saw from a YouTube video..

Bigfitz52- will do, but I got to thinking, cuz all his carb tuning stuff is sounding more complicated by the minute, why wouldn't you measure the float level as the bike sits? Since the carbs aren't level when there mounted on the bike, while its running, anyways?

 

Ummm... Yes. That's why I said you'll be pulling the rack?

The point was that you shouldn't even bother wasting any more time trying to measure the bowl levels on your bike because you already know that your levels are way off and you have to pull the rack to adjust them.

Sorry for the confusion. Does that make more sense?

 

Ok cool we're on the same page now. I just didn't know if there was a different/easier way to adjust them (like turning a screw and not having to take the carbs off again) lol that's what I was hoping for.

Thanks for the diagrams guys , visuals are the most helpful thing to me since I'm a newb and don't know what these parts are actually SUPPOSE to look like. Btw what could cause the non existent float level on #2 carb?

 

Ok cool we're on the same page now. I just didn't know if there was a different/easier way to adjust them (like turning a screw and not having to take the carbs off again) lol that's what I was hoping for.

Thanks for the diagrams guys , visuals are the most helpful thing to me since I'm a newb and don't know what these parts are actually SUPPOSE to look like. Btw what could cause the non existent float level on #2 carb?[/quote

I'd say your float is stuck closed, that's why no gasoline could go down the bowl.

 

It's also quite possible that the drain for that carb is plugged with gunk in the bowl. Two of mine were plugged like that before I cleaned them.

 

Aye, laddie. That file I linked to goes through the whole procedure in graphic detail. Oh, and the tang that the needle sits on doesn't "push the needle down". It lifts and lowers the needle. Read the PDF file. Several times, if necessary. If something isn't clear, please don't hesitate to ask.

Because the manual says not to. In fact, it says to jack up the front of the bike until the carbs ARE level.

 

Lol from the looks of those pictures you have the floats upside down. They swing up into the recessed bottom of the carburetor, not down into the float bowls.
The first time I put my carbs together I had the floats upside down and they only filled the bowls half way just like yours.

Oh and my manual says to use a longer section of clear tubing to level the center stand. You connect the hose to carb 1 and find the float height. Then you reach the hose over to carb 4 and measure carb 1's fuel level in relation to car 4's body/bowl. Any discrepancy will tell you the bike is leaning and the manual says to shim under the centerstand legs with pieces of cardboard until the bike is level.

 

Only if 1 and 4 levels are known to be accurate though... easier IMO to either set with carbs off the bike (bowls have to come off the carbs anyway & even if you have allen bolts it's easier with them off the bike)

 

Your using the carb rack as a level. Supposedly the carbs are mounted perfectly straight on the carb rack. You measure a single carb's float level(meniscus of gas inside the clear tube) against the side of carbs 1 & 4(the outer extremities of the carb rack). Whether the float height is correct or not doesnt matter for the test, you are simply leveling the motorcycle.

 

Sorry yes you're right, I didn't read it correctly I thought you were measuring separate carbs. Still easier to pull the carbs though for the O/P as it's obvious he needs to fix his float height/turn them right way up.

 

"Because the book says they have to be level" was going to be my answer too...

 

Ok thanks for the input guys. Heres a pic of what the carb looks like inside. Does everything look normal? I want to be sure these parts arent mixmatched by previous owner. And, arent the floats suppose to be level with the edge of the carb body, not angled like mine are in my pic? lol

 

From the looks of those Jets, ... those Carbs were serviced by someone who used the wrong screwdrivers.

The Main and Pilot Jets are hacked-at.

The Enrichment Siphon Tube looks coated.

The Drain Screws look like they are buggered too.

 

Yes, but on a more positive note, the floats are not upside down & they do sit at an angle not flat so that side of things is OK.

That said, your carbs (at least the one we can see, probably all) are in need of a proper cleaning before you try setting float heights as even fuel at the nanometer-perfect level won't get drawn up blocked orifices in the correct amounts, and even though the body area looks good the brass parts are coated in crap & likely the internal passageways will be too if the last person who cleaned didn't clean the jets or enrichment tube.

 

I cleaned them once already, but there is a little residue back on them already. The jets were super suck on, so were the drain screws, thats why theyre a bit haggered.

 

No.

And don't worry about what they look like dry and flopping about with the float bowls off. You check the levels with the assembled and fueled rack level in all directions and using a clear tube attached to each carbs' drain outlet in turn.

Read this: http://www.xj4ever.com/setting%20fuel%20levels.pdf

And if they have that much "residue back on them" you're well on your way to membership in the "I've cleaned my carbs five times but..." club.

If you didn't remove the emulsion tubes, do so. And clean them.

If you didn't remove the floats and clean, inspect and polish the valve seats, do so.

Then reassemble (clean up those gasket surfaces too) and properly WET-set the floats.

Then you can forget about them. OR not, and you'll never forget them. Floats are a set-it and forget-it proposition, but ONLY if you get them right.

 

Thanks Fitz. What is the valve seat your talking about polishing? Is it the area that the big brass looking tube thing it sits in, that's visible from the carb opening?

And yes I cleaned the e-tubes, jets, and everything bit it seems like some of that green stuff is staaiiiined on the inside of the bowls.

 

He meant the float valve seats, I guess. They have to be polished to prevent the float valves from sticking.