Fuel dripping from screw on lower carb

I took the tank off tonight for the first time and when I started poking around with a flashlight around the carbs, I see a small drip coming out of one of the bottom screws of I guess carb 3? Anyways, if anyone knows what this screw does and what it leaking might signify, I'd appreciate the info.

 

that is the float bowl drain screw. it could be one of two thing making it leak. Not tight enough or it is missing the rubber O-ring that fits between the screw head and the bowl.

 

Could that be related to fuel getting in my oil, that float not filling up good because of the leak or something like that?

 

No that is just for draining the bowl and wet checking the float levels. Fuel in the oil sounds like the floats are sticking or the floats set to high.

 

Thanks hardlucktx! Can the floats levels be adjusted with the carbs on the bike or should I wait until I yank and rebuild/sync them (which terrifies me, lol)?

 

I was adjusting mine on the bike today until it started raining on me. I use a stubby philips. I forgot the wet set them when I replaced the shaft seals and recleaned the pilot jets and didnt want to take them off for the 100th time.

 

You cant get to the floats while the carbs are on the bike and you cant sync the carbs off the bike, it has to be running for the sync. A float bench test is pull them off,fill a small container with gas (less than one inch will do) and lay the float in the gas. If the float pivot bracket goes down but the bodies stay up then the floats are most likely fine. You can adjust them by tenderly bending the tang of the bracket where it touches the needle. Before you go thru this you should test the float level while the carbs are on the bike. After warm up set the petcock to PRI and connect a clear 1/4" hose to the opening next to that screw that is leaking. Hold the hose up to the side of the bowl and open the screw. The gas should travel thru the clear tube up to the top of the bowl. It really should be just under the top of the bowl by 1/8 of an inch. Adjusting the float tang will change this. Be careful it doesn't break. Do this while the bike is on the centerstand on level ground and each carb has to be done.I still think you should check your fuel petcock to make sure it isn't freeflowing. The petcock is vacuum operated and should not let gas flow in the "on" or "res" position when the fuel line is disconnected. PRI is a flow thru bypass for tests and draining. Good luck. Drew36

 

Thanks for the info drew36! I actually put the tank over a bucket and it will only allow fuel out when on prime, is that a decent test? Still mulling over the float level test, lol. To adjust the float tang, carbs have to come off and be opened?

 

On my 1100 I have plenty of room to remove the float bowls while still on the bike if need be. I am not sure if you can get them off on your bike. But if your going to take the carbs off now would be a good time to go ahead pull them do all the cleaning and setting the floats. In the FAQ section there are a few how to's to help you out.

 

Thanks hardlucktx! I'm ordering carb rebuild parts as soon as I get the fuse box situated with parts from chacal so it shouldn't be too long before I pull the carbs. Sure don't want to pull them until i have alot more info, parts, confidence, lol, etc. I've been reading alot of the carb posts but apparently I'm not paying enough attention, he he.

 

I would pull them and take them apart and see what you will need. Rickcomatic's carb cleaning the whole nine yards is a great how on carb cleaning and rebuilding. It is in the FAQ section. It looks and sound more scary than it really is. You may or may not need any parts just a good cleaning. here are the forums to help you get through it.
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=6366.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=18377.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1961.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... guide.html
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=1 ... guide.html

 

Thank you very much!

 

Your welcome I was in your shoes. Then I found this site and all the others helped me so I am just returning what was given to me.