Gas leak

I´m no mechanic and I've owned a 1981 550 maxim for only 3 months. She starts up easily but when idling, gas is pouring out of this black hose located behind the carburetors. Does this mean my carbs need rebuilt? Thanks.

 

Sounds like one or more or your float needles are not sealing. If that is the case you will need to work on the carburettors.

 

Do you have a Haynes manual for your bike?

 

Well I have the original owners manual printed in 1980. I also noticed when I use the choke to initially idle the engine it doesn’t leak gas. After the bike is warmed up and I turn the choke off is when it begins to leak gas.

 

maybe you need to do a wet set of fuel levels. with choke on you would have aditional draw of fuel from the bowls.
the fuel will start to come out of main jet and if it rises high enough out of the compensator vent and airjet in the throat of the carbs




Setting the fuel levels

 

post a picture of the perverbial leak you speak of... point to this black hose in it.

 

This is the hose leaking gas when idling

 

Does anyone know why this hose would be leaking gas when idling?

 

That looks like oil residue in the photo, is that the air filter box in the photo with the engine PCV hose going into it, sounds like the carburetor needles and seats are sticking and if that is the case and then you most likely will also have fuel in the crankcase too, see if your oil level is over filled and smells like fuel. You could also have a leaking fuel tank petcock too, what happens is too much fuel gets into the engine and has not place to go other into the air filter box and out though the drain hose that you seeing fuel leak if that is what i'm seeing ?

 

I think you've posted your pic in a new thread with the same name.

 

He did. I merged them.

 

Thats the air box drain tube... the things that normally stop fuel flow, is the needle and seats, or the petcock shutoff valve. "Usually" the needles when not sealing, the fuel drains into the cylinders making it flooded out. As you crank it over several times it dumps into the exhaust and will have a hard/longer starting times.

Clean out the air box of fuel, start the engine and get it to operating temp, then shut it off. Use a pair of hose clamp off pliers, or some vise grip pliers to pinch off the fuel line. let it set as long as you normally would, then check and see if the fuel is no longer dripping.

do you have a fuel filter in between the tank and carb set?
is it hard to start after sitting?
do you park it with the side stand, or the center stand?

 

Thank you so much. To answer your questions, I cannot say where the fuel filter is, sorry I’m no mechanic. Yes, it has become difficult to start up again if the engine has been running a while. I use the side kick stand. How would I clean out the air box of fuel?