[snowkloud]

I have a Kawasaki 1982 KZ1000 K2 LDT.
I purchase 4 carburetor rebuild kits Part number (KL18-2436).

My problem is that even after replacing the Float Needle Valve Seat assembly it is still leaking gas. Granted it's only 1 drop every 30 seconds to a minute, but this is enough to overflow the carb when it's seating long enough.

I have cleaned and recleaned this carb. I have inspected the chamber the Float valve is inserted in. I have the gas going thru a brand new filter. I have blown out the float value with air and made sure there was no dirt or varnish messing with the float needles. However when I take the bowls off and hold the floats up I still have two carbs that are leaking gas from what looks like the needles themselves. Is it possible I got some needles which are defective? What do you suggest?

[SPORSTERBOY]

I Can't Help You With That One But, At The Rate Gas Is You Need Every Drop!

[chucktx]

if there is no excessive pressure build up in the tank....vent plugged....then the only other place the gas can leak is from the needle seat.....or the threads that attach the seat to the bowl. try a bit of teflon thread sealer on the threads of the seat. dont use tape as it could crack the housing if to much is used. use the stuff in a tube or can. maybe the housing is already cracked and this is where the problem is. you are in the correct area......you just need a bit more investigation.........have fun!!!! and let us know how ya doin
chuck

[snowkloud]

I have the carb on my work bench and I'm just using a tube and funnel which holds about a pint of gas, enought to fill the carbs and have a little still in holding. Then I just let it sit. Around 1 hours my carb will be overflowing. I took the bowl off and then put a wedge under the float to hold it up. It looks like the gas is leaking around the needle.
My float level is correct, but give it an hour or so and then it over flows. After replacing the needles and needle seat I fixed one carb, but ended up with another two that leak now. It leaks from what looks like the needle. Like I said I wedge the float up and still get a slow drip. I have held my finger over the needle seat (after removing the float and needle) and I don't seem to be getting a leak, but it's hard to sit there any length of time and not move my finger.

On my carbs the needle seats don't use threads. Its held by the o-ring on the outside of the needle seat.

The previous owner allowed the gas to go to varnish. The motorcycle runs, but was leaking gas when it sat.

[snowkloud]

Just curious. Any chance my tube and funnel might be creating too much gas pressure?

I was just thinking about this tonight. How much pressure is the fuel tap suppose to allow? Or is this a straight thru system meaning that the fuel tap does not control pressure, which if so then why does it have a spring and diaphragm plate?

I looked in my manuel and it does not mention anything about troubleshooting if there is a problem in this part of the fuel system.

By the way this is the orginial CV carbs. So it's not fuel injected.

[chucktx]

no, the funnel and hose is not going to affect your test. it seems that you know that the needle is letting fuel bypass the seat. you replaced one of them and cured the problem. i would replace the others to cure their problems. the seat or needle or both are worn enough to allow the gas to pass.....have fun.....
chuck

[snowkloud]

Ah, but that's the problem I did replace all of them. Two of the new ones leaked worse than the old ones.

The carbs leak on the bench as well as on the "non running" bike on the center stand.

Brass tubes are good. The gas just seems to be leaking right around the float needle even the brand new ones (valve and needle). I checked inside the float valve seat and checked the needle for dirt or such. Both the old set and new are clean. I ended up putting the old ones back in for carb 3 & 4 with new o-rings because they leaked the least when compared to the new ones.

As it stands now I have carb 1 & 2 with new float valve and float needle. Carb 3 & 4 with old ones, but new o-rings. Of that I still have carb 2 and carb 4 dripping. (On bench) When I pull the bowls off and wedge the float up both look like the gas is coming right around the float needle.

[chucktx]

are the needles and seats a brass to brass fit?? if so swap them around and see if that helps. maybe you can get some rubber tipped needles, they may seal a bit better for you......
can you hold the needle against the seat with a prop for a bit to see it it leaks?? if it doesnt, maybe the float arms are weak????.......just throwing out ideas......
chuck

[snowkloud]

I took the float off and just held the needle up and got the same leaking. Yes it is brass on brass. I have not seen the rubber tipped needles. Know a part number?

[chucktx]

sorry, no part number. maybe check with a shop that rebuilds carbs....auto or bike....they may have some that will work. i am having a hard time with the needles and seats not sealing, when new. one maybe, but not several. missing something......................
chuck

[chucktx]

hey snow.....are you having any luck with the carbs????
chuck

[snowkloud]

I fixed my leak. The guys (Jeff and Steve) at Z1 Enterprises went above and beyond to discuss my problem and helped get me replacement float value and needles. Well I replaced the new ones with the ones Z1 Enterprises sent me last night and my problem was solved. Guess the ones that came with my carb rebuild kit were bad or damaged somehow that I could not physically see.

Thanks for all the suggestion and support.
Now I'm moving on the rebuilding my petcock which is vacuum model. Just got the kit and I will be trying it out tonight.