Airbox Fills With Fuel When Tilted Upright And.....

MarGinJoey · #1 (**permalink**) 10-16-2005, 11:32 PM

Airbox fills with fuel when tilted upright and.....

AND it never did this before. Ever. Is something clogged someplace, or routed wrong?? I used to be able to stand my bike up and work on it with no problem. Now? If I tilt it for three minutes I've got an airbox FULL of gas, all wasted gas no less, plus time to remove it.

Bike, 04 Kodiak 450 4x4 non IRS

MGJ

David · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2005, 11:37 PM

did you turn the gas off

MarGinJoey · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2005, 11:52 PM

Yeh, it was off.....uh....I think... No- really- it was off, first thing I checked.....

MGJ

ego · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 12:09 AM

Well, if the fuel petcock was turned off, and not accidentally switched over to Reserve, then I suggest you have a sticking float/needle valve in the carb.........either take the carb apart and clean it or try using some commercial fuel cleaner. Run this cleaner thru a tank of gas and try again. If it doesn't unstick the needle valve, then it is time to clean the carb.

motorhead · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 12:34 AM

I agree,new needle and seat,check and adjust float level as needed.Even though you turned the petcock off there is still the remaining fuel in the bowl that could have leaked out.Eventually this will turn into a constant leak out the overflow tube if you store it with the petcock on.

Snafoow · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 05:14 AM

Turn fuel off
Start and run engine till carb is out of fuel and engine stalls
Stand up ATV and fix.

Most carbs will leak and drain when turned up right or on their side.

Something to watch when you stand your bike on end is, that gas does not leak out of the fuel tank cap. My tank was almost full one time when I left the bike stand on end over night. Gas leaked out during the night, dripped on my seat and ruined it.

rpyfz450 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 02:52 PM

I think it's reasonable to expect a float-type carburetor to leak fuel when it's been tilted far past level, but that doesn't explain why your ATV never did this before. If you put larger rear tires on your ATV, maybe your ATV is standing up at a different angle than with your other tires?

Are you saying you're seeing more fuel in the airbox than then the carburetor holds? I'm guessing a single carburetor holds no more than quarter a cup of fuel. If so, maybe your fuel leak is not comming from the carburetor?

I've never seen carburetor vents that lead to the airbox, but it's possible for gas to come right out of the carburetor throat. Crankcase vents always lead to the airbox. Is it possible you're finding a mix of gas and oil in your airbox?

If you get fuel on your oiled-foam air filter element, it's very likely that it has washed away patches of oil, and leaving your engine partially unprotected... so be careful.

rrocke17 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 04:30 PM

Leave the bike on it's wheels.

Glad I could help. :dork:

MarGinJoey · #9 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 05:57 PM

OK. First, I plan on running the bike out of fuel next time with valve off. Thanks. Sounds like common sense....that i didnt apply

As for the others.

The airbox on a Kodiak is a large one, and it fills to FULL capacity when I stand it up. The oversized tires are not installed yet (this weekend

) I spent 30 minutes draining the fuel from the airbox after I've stood it up (no more then 20 minutes ). (At least the air filter is spotless after that) I did note that the normal PATTERN where the drain hose goes has somehow shifted to onto MY footrest area, rather then hidden behind some factory plastic (and onto the hot CASE of all things?) I'm wondering if I should get a longer drain on there to be safe.

Appreciate the input fellas. All points well taken, ('cept Daves "turn off the gas" and Pete's "Leave the bike on it's wheels" comments

)

MGJ

toofast4uu · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 07:08 PM

I'm wondering if the gas tank has a breather/vent line hooked directly up to the air box?