Gas Leak!

[stickslinger]

Well after a couple months it's finally gotten warm enough to role the ol magna out to see if she'll start up. I had the gas turned off since I put it up and carbs run dry for the period. When it was running I noticed it dripping gas from someplace from the left rear carb. I don't think it has a stuck float or anything, as I asume it would spew from down under the bike through the overflow tubes. I'm guessing it's coming from someplace else, but not sure.

It only leaks when the engine is running not with the gas just turned on.

I figure I'll wait till spring and pull the tank off and see what's up.

Anyone experienced this problem?

Thanks,

-b

[roboto65]

This is one of those debates but I feel when you put the bike up for winter which I do not do but seals and Orings tend to dry out if not kept wet. So I would say stuck float or an Oring shrunk up it may stop with use maybe not try bringing the temp up and running for a while.

[TLRam1]

This is one of those debates but I feel when you put the bike up for winter which I do not do but seals and Orings tend to dry out if not kept wet. So I would say stuck float or an Oring shrunk up it may stop with use maybe not try bringing the temp up and running for a while.

I concur, not necessarily a stuck float but your needle valve is not cutting off the fuel possible due to dried up deposits or the shrinking rubber seals, be it O-Ring or other packing. 

[Herman]

Same thing happened to me.  Pulled the carbs, moved the suspected float around a bit, put back together - no more problem....

[dgc67]

Yep, if it is coming from a vent/overflow tube it has to be a stuck float or gunk under the valve.  BUT Allen makes a good point on the O-ring.  If that is it then likely it will "swell" back up as it soaks up some fuel.
Either way, the reason it only occurs when the bike is running is because it requires a vacuum to actually open the petcock to allow the full flow of fuel.  You can 'test' this by pulling the vacuum line from the petcock and replacing it with a piece of hose and sucking on the other end of that hose to apply vacuum.

If you think you might have some gunk in the carb you might try draining the tank and then putting a gallon of fuel with a strong dose of Seafoam in it back in.  I would do at least double the recommended ratio.  Then run it a little to get that fresh, seafoam laced fuel into the carb bowls.  let is sit for 24 hours and run it again.