Questionhello Wayne i have a 95 Honda 300 fourtrax it runs fine up till the other day when i started it. i left for the night and it emptied the entire gas tank on my shop floor i looked the next day and its drippin out the bottom vent tube off the carb any ideas what happened thanks for your time
Answer
Hi Shawn,
It sounds like your carb float needle and valve
are leaking. It could just be some dirt under
the float inlet needle or it could need
replacement.
If you remove the carb and the float bowl you
will see the float has a tang on it that
pushes on a small needle to shut the gas flow
off when the bowl is full.
If the needle gets some dirt or rust under
it then it leaks fuel and floods the carb.
The overflow runs out through the vent you mentioned.
Sometime just a tap with a screwdriver handle on the bowl
will dislodge any dirt and fix the problem.
Other times you may need a carb clean or new needle
and needle valve seat.
If you remove the float be gentle in driving out the
pin that holds it. The posts that the float pin
fits in can break off and the repair bill will be high.
The float valve seat is usually just screwed into the carb body.
If you get the leak stopped it might be a good idea
to add a small fuel filter in the fuel line.
Some tanks have rust that can keep causing problems.
Lawnmower or motorcycle shops may have a filter or
even hobby shops.
Finally turn off the fuel valve on the tank at night
to prevent further drain outs.
In extreme cases the carb will need to be soaked
in carb cleaner and blown out with air.
Yamaha makes a good safe carb cleaner.
I think the above should help you find the problem
Here is a picture link #20 is the float needle
with the float under it:
Go here:
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/Xtremepowersports/Honda_OEM/HondaATV.asp...
Good luck!
Wayne S.
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