Can't get float needle to seal

[Andrew_250R]

I can't get the carb on my 85R to quit dripping fuel out the overflow. I have adjusted the float height and installed a new needle but it still leaks out the overflow when I have the trike shut off and the petcock on. I have made sure the seat is clean. Could the seat just be shot? Does anyone have any tips on getting it to seal up? Also the trike won't idle (tried adjusting it) and it seems like it wants to load up unless you run the piss out of it. I am thinking the float is causeing all the other issues?

[beets442]

85' 250R? Sounds like the choke seal might be seeping. Does it have a working choke? keihin carb?

[Andrew_250R]

yes it has a working choke, and is the stock keihn carb. How does the choke work in these carbs?

[beets442]

I believe there is a rubber seal around choke plunger( inside)....replace plunger.

[Andrew_250R]

does gas actually touch the choke plunger?

[Derek]

Your float may be leaking allowing gas into it and weighing down so it does not float anymore.

[Andrew_250R]

Are they not solid plastic? I will have to fill a can with gas and try that.

[Andrew_250R]

well I just checked the floats and they are floating just fine in a cup of gas

[Andrew_250R]

I don't know. I am out of ideas. I think the next thing is to just buy a new carb. I have the floats adj so they close way earlier than they should and it still leaks. I am guessing the seat is shot. It isn't a seeper it is a constant drip, about two drips per second. So does anyone have some good suggestions for a new carb? I know there are some on ebay, but are there any cheaper ones out there?

[clong]

This happened to my freinds 250R's. Totally dripped fuel with the engine off, gas on. Let me email him and see what he did. I believe the plunger was bad and sticking down. I think he went to bikebandit and bought a totally new float and some other parts and fixed it. Stay tuned. I'll find out exactly what he did. This was the 2ed 250R that had done this to him. I think its a common synd. We were riding the day it started leaking and the trike ran totally rich and flooded, but still ran.

[Andrew_250R]

I have replaced my plunger. I just looked on bikebandit and they don't stock the seat, which I am pretty sure what is bad. But either way let me know what he said, maybe there is something I am not seeing.

[clong]

Here is what he said....
I replaced the float and plunger and it went away. Found a rebuild kit on ebay. There was a thread going around about carbs having worn out housings that even with a new plunger, it would still leak. Its rare and the only fix would be to replace the entire carb housing. Thats probably not the problem. I would bet that the plunger and a new float would be the fix. It worked for me on 2 250Rs that leaked.

[Andrew_250R]

The plunger is brand new, and I made sure the float floated in a cup of gas. I have adjusted the float height many times now to different heights and still does not work. I even adjusted to spec according to the service book I have. So that is why I believe the seat where the plunger seals is shot. I don't know if the plunger just vibrated in circles until it wore the seat down or what?

[beets442]

I'm wondering if air(not sealed) is getting between the where the whole jet assembly slides down in the carb body?(change whole jet assm.) Missing the brass washer where the main jet into carb body? Beets

[Andrew_250R]

I'm wondering if air(not sealed) is getting between the where the whole jet assembly slides down in the carb body?(change whole jet assm.) Missing the brass washer where the main jet into carb body? Beets

Sorry you lost me, what brass washer?

[beets442]

Some have a brass washer where you put the jet assm into the carb body.Assembly goes into body, brass washer, then jet threads in. to hold to body. Now that thinking about it. How much does it leak after u shut off gas? bowls worth? Let me track some pics of you carb> Be back...The sevice honda schematics down right now. have to look at it later Beets

[Andrew_250R]

it will continue to leak untill I shut off the petcock. I left the gas on overnight be accident once and I had a huge puddle on the floor in the morning.

[Andrew_250R]

I have been using a caliper to measure the float height. The service manual I have says the height should be 0.630". I set it to that and it leaked. I then set the height higher (in the direction towards 0.700") it still leaked. I set it higher yet and it still leaks. I think I understand what you are suggestion but I don't think that will help because my bowl keeps over filling even when the float need is closed. So the gas level in the clear tube will always rise to the height of the overflow tube. I will try to set the height of the float to and extreme next time so that the bowl will hardly fill at all and see it seals.

[Andrew_250R]

I am pretty sure I am just going to buy a new carb. I can't find a seat to replace mine with so I am out of ideas.

[Texas 200x]

See if the needle seals or leaks with the carb out and the bowl off of the carb. You can put air or fuel in the fuel inlet and lift the flif oats or just push in the needle with your finger and see if its leaking.

[Andrew_250R]

I have tried doing that with both air and gas. It is hard to tell though because I can put more pressure on the needle with my finger than the floats can floating in gas. I will have to try that again though before I do go and actually buy a new carb.