Motorcycle Repair: fuel bypass?, kawasaki vulcan 800, change engine oil

Question
well i just took my bike out of the garage, started it up and gas was commong out from underneath it. at first i could not tell from where then i saw a hose comming down and it was comming from there. well being curious i took off the air cleaner to find it soaked with gas. i did have stabil in the tank for the winter. i dont know if that did something.. but i got the bike to start. and it blew gas out of a small hole on the backside of the air cleaner housing. only after the bike ran for a minute or minute and a half. it came out with some force so i was thinking it was a bypass of some kind. for what i have no idea. so if you could help me out on this i would appreciate it..   the bike is a 1999 kawasaki vulcan 800 custom. thanks again...Edward Neumann  manteno il.

Answer
Hi Edward,

The carburetor float needle valve(s) (fuel valves) are sticking causing fuel to flow up thru the carbs, into the Venturi (main carb bore) and into the airbox. Gas usually flows both directions and goes into the crankcase, too, via cylinders. Change engine oil and filter immediately. May not be able to smell odor of gas, but the smallest bit of fuel will break-down oil.

Carbs will need cleaned. Needle valves may need replaced. Using too much or too little Sta-Bil or other gas stabilizers may require carbs to be cleaned. These additives do not always preserve gas.

Send me your email as requested. I'll return carb cleaning, tuning, and synchronization files. Send to: mshively1@woh.rr.com

Visit: "www.bikebandit.com" to see exploded views of microfiche parts on-line. Click "OEM Parts" and enter your MC's info from the menus.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively