Stock T3 carb, just rebuilt, need help

[ccdhowell]

85 Tecate, stock carb. I took it off this evening and took it apart to rebuild. I was pretty clean inside, took main jet off, float valve out, pilot jet(I think that's what the little jet is to the front of the carb up in that hole). Anyway, cleaned it up, used kit off ebay. Replaced pilot jet, float valve and main jet. Put it back together and it's still doing the same thing as before. Before it was pooring fuel out of all the vent hoses, bottom and both top. I thought the float valve was probably shot, but i put in a new one and same thing. I didn't bend the float arm because it was running fine until I rode it last sunday and it started acting up and pooring fuel. Any suggestions from experienced Tecate carb guys? The rebuild was straightforward, I don't see how I coulda screwed it up, but point me in the right direction.

Also, the main jet that came out didn't have a number on it, the one from the kit I put in has 230 on it. I don't know what's supposed to be in there, is that a good place to start?

Thanks, Chris

[T3 LOPES]

Your needle and seat could be shot. Buy a new 34 mm , they run around 100 bucks. can't beat it

[ccdhowell]

Alright, here's a lame question. Where do you measure the carb to determine the size, i.e. 34mm, 38mm, etc. The reason I ask is because right after i bought this Tecate, i bought a 34mm Minkuni off ebay, brand new for maybe $75. When I got it and went to put it on, it was much smaller than the carb on my trike. it wouldn't fit the stock intake boot, nor airbox boot, too small. So how do I measure mine to confirm its a 34mm?


Also, the kit came with a new needle, which I replaced. I assumed a float valve problem. How does a worn out needle and seat make the gas continue to flow?

Chris

[scooterroo]

just go with a bigger carb like a tmx 38mm... more powaa!!! also brand new on ebay for llike $210.

[ccdhowell]

John, yep looks just like mine. I'm gonna take it back off and look at the float valve again, your third pic. I think that's what control fuel flow into the bowl. That deffuser thing that was loose in the bottom was attached to where the main jet is located. Should it stay attached or just be loose when you put it together?

Chris

[Maico]

The diffuser should clip onto the main jet. Chances are that if it's been running fine all this time and then all of a sudden it starts drooling petrol all over the place...check the needle and seat. There's probably crud stuck in there. All it takes is 1 grain of sand or dirt to stick it open and wahla...drooling carb. Also...this is a long shot but on rare occasion it happens. Take the floats and put them in a glass jar of petrol and pin them to the bottom with a weight...just enough to keep them submerged. Leave it that way overnight. The next day...remove the weight and see if they still float or sink. If they sink...that will make your carb drool. It's rare...but it does happen.

[ccdhowell]

I just realized that we are calling the same part by two different names. Needle and seat = float valve(that's my name, read it somewhere)

Yeah, that's probably the issue, but I'll check the floats too, just to be safe. There is no good way to get that carb out and then back in to where it goes, very tight fit. The VForce reeds I have add about a half inch depth to the intake side and make it a really tight fit.

John, you said a 260 is stock main jet. Do you know what the stock pilot jet size is? I figured I'd go up a size there too and see what she runs like.

Chris

[ccdhowell]

Perfectly readable John, and thanks a bunch. I'll be going back in to the carb tomorrow night. I called my local cycle shop and they have plenty of Mikuni main jets, wasn't sure if they had'em, never asked before. Chris

[ccdhowell]

Took a look at it today and couldn't find anything wrong with it. I ended up bending the little arm that contacts the needle valve up a little to make it close the needle all the way. I guess that my new needle valve assembly is a little shorter than the old one. Bent it a little, put it back together and it now seems fine.

I did cut a 3 inch hole in the center of my airbox lid and jetted it: pilot:45 and main:270

Gonna try to ride tomorrow to see if its jetted okay. Chris