Hi folks - Am I screwed?

Hi folks: I'm new to the forum, and a new owner of a hand-me-down XJ650 - I don't really know the year (it's a YICS - so 81 or 82 - correct?) or the model - though I guess it's a Seca. Anyways - I pulled it out of the shed this morning, added gas, changed the engine and final gear oil, cleaned the K&N Pods, and put a small charge on a very dead battery - all before 11:00am. Fast foward to 8:00pm - I got very impatient and tried to start the bike, no luck - not even enough juice to give a proper toot on the horn - so, with the Pods still off, I proceeded down the drive, and tried to push-start the bike. It turned over just fine, but immediatly began flowing gasoline from the #3 carb (I may be wrong, but calling it No 3 as it would be the carb nearest the center of the bike - riders left). Not crazy amounts (maybe 1/2 cup/min). What happened? Am I screwed? Did I just trash the bike? Need to rebuild the carb? Crap.

Thanks for your time,
Seeds

 

Sounds to me like you have a stuck float or leaking needle valve in the carb. Not screwed (yet).

With the fuel valve on the tank set to "RES" or "ON" fuel should only flow when there is engine vacuum. When you got the bike turning it pulled a vacuum, opening the fuel valve, and dumping it through the carburetor with the problem. When you stopped pushing the gasoline stoped running out, no?

If you turn the fuel valve to "PRI" gasoline will probably run out of the carb too. You can tap the float bowl of the offending carb GENTLY with the handle of a screwdriver to try and free a stuck float. You can test if this worked by switching your fuel valve to "PRI".

You probably have gasoline in your oil. You won't be screwed UNLESS you run it that way. After you have the carb fixed, change the oil before you start it.

If we get a nice Sunday after boating season (which is mid Sept.) you probably wouldn't have to twist my arm too hard to come down and give you a hand with it. Hopefully by then though you'll be all fixed up and we can just go riding. Alternatively, if we get a crappy Sunday you can haul it up here to my garage.

Welcome aboard.

 

Thanks for the fast reply, and offer of help - I supply beers, food, etc After I pushed it (the motor turned 8-9 times) I noticed the leaking. The fuel selector petcock (I think that’s what its called) was in the on position - It continued to leak (maybe for 5 minutes) while I tried to crimp the fuel line (bad idea - need a new fuel line) and ultimately, until I siphoned the gas from the bike. It's probably still leaking a little. Could it still be the float stuck?

Seeds

 

Definitely float stuck or needle leaking. Maybe also bad fuel valve on tank.

Check your private messages.

 

Sounds like a stuck float to me. You have a few gremlins in that bike of yours. But nothing these guys on this forum cant help you figure out. There really good here. Im still learning myself, and they have kept my bike on the road.

Good luck and happy riding.

 

Much fun - and many thanks for the suggestions of help. #3 has ceased leaking - and #4 has taken its place. I guess that's what you get when you get a bike that has not run in a few years.

Seeds

 

It may be a good idea to take them carbs off the bike and give them a good cleaning.