Fuel leaking from Carb overflow tube 450S - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

tracyduke · 12-31-2009, 11:30 AM

I recently purchased a 2000 450s foreman that had been sitting for quite some time from a friend. Before I picked it up he said he discovered it was leaking gas from the overflow tube on the bottom of the carb float bowl. He took it to his local Honda dealer who cleaned the carb and replaced the float needle valve total cost $165.00. I picked it up and rode it for a little while and discovered it was again leaking gas from the overflow. Rather than return it to the dealer who did the service (150 miles away) I took it to a local dealer who again cleaned the carb, replaced the needle valve for another $150.00. After 1/2 day of riding it was again leaking fuel. I returned it to the dealer for warranty only to have them tell me the carb is no good and they would replace it for $650.00. I said F##@k that and called one of the advertisers on this board and ordered a new carb for $275.00 list price ($450). I removed the old carb, cleaned the gas tank, and installed the new carb. Everything worked fine for 2 days of riding when once again the new carb was leaking from the overflow. I again removed the new carb and sure enough their was a couple specs of crud on the valve seat. This time I cleaned out the crud, again cleaned out the gas tank and replaced the fuel line and installed an in-line fuel filter. I have ridden it for several days and problem solved.
Lessons learned
At the end of the day Always shut off the fuel selector and run the fuel from the carb until the machine stops
Always store the machine with the fuel valve off as this leak could have been a major fire hazard by leaking a couple gallons of fuel on the garage floor.
If you will not be using the machine for a while add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and be sure to turn off the fuel valve and run the machine until the engine stops.
If you have a similar problem be sure to clean the tank, install new fuel lines, and add an in-line fuel filter.

By the way the old carb is fine after I cleaned crud out of the needle valve seat.

**toodeep** · 12-31-2009, 12:47 PM

I have had a few of the older 400/450 carbs that the float pin worn the housing on the carb it sits in and leak gas. They can be repaired also by a mechanic that wants to or knows how to fix it.

pepper23 · 02-23-2010, 06:38 PM

QUOTE (tracyduke @ Dec 31 2009, 05:30 PM)

Quote:

I recently purchased a 2000 450s foreman that had been sitting for quite some time from a friend. Before I picked it up he said he discovered it was leaking gas from the overflow tube on the bottom of the carb float bowl. He took it to his local Honda dealer who cleaned the carb and replaced the float needle valve total cost $165.00. I picked it up and rode it for a little while and discovered it was again leaking gas from the overflow. Rather than return it to the dealer who did the service (150 miles away) I took it to a local dealer who again cleaned the carb, replaced the needle valve for another $150.00. After 1/2 day of riding it was again leaking fuel. I returned it to the dealer for warranty only to have them tell me the carb is no good and they would replace it for $650.00. I said F##@k that and called one of the advertisers on this board and ordered a new carb for $275.00 list price ($450). I removed the old carb, cleaned the gas tank, and installed the new carb. Everything worked fine for 2 days of riding when once again the new carb was leaking from the overflow. I again removed the new carb and sure enough their was a couple specs of crud on the valve seat. This time I cleaned out the crud, again cleaned out the gas tank and replaced the fuel line and installed an in-line fuel filter. I have ridden it for several days and problem solved.
Lessons learned
At the end of the day Always shut off the fuel selector and run the fuel from the carb until the machine stops
Always store the machine with the fuel valve off as this leak could have been a major fire hazard by leaking a couple gallons of fuel on the garage floor.
If you will not be using the machine for a while add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and be sure to turn off the fuel valve and run the machine until the engine stops.
If you have a similar problem be sure to clean the tank, install new fuel lines, and add an in-line fuel filter.

By the way the old carb is fine after I cleaned crud out of the needle valve seat.

pepper23 · 02-23-2010, 06:43 PM

I am having the same problem with a Honda 450 s that i just purchased. The guy i bought it from had said it had been sitting for a while before he had sold it to me. We noticed that it had a small leak from the overflow but I figured with a good carb cleaning it would be fine. I have cleaned that carb numerous times and even ordered a carb kit online but nothing seems to stop the leak. Where did you purchase your in line fuel filter from and and fuel lines. Im hoping that this will fix my problem also.

freakjeep93 · 02-23-2010, 07:37 PM

the problem may be that your float may be stuck or dirty. when my bike does this ( hardly ever but every bike ive owned has done it ) i just blow compresed air up teh hose and it will normally stop my leak.

dieselmudder · 02-24-2010, 06:31 PM

QUOTE (pepper23 @ Feb 23 2010, 03:43 PM)

Quote:

I am having the same problem with a Honda 450 s that i just purchased. The guy i bought it from had said it had been sitting for a while before he had sold it to me. We noticed that it had a small leak from the overflow but I figured with a good carb cleaning it would be fine. I have cleaned that carb numerous times and even ordered a carb kit online but nothing seems to stop the leak. Where did you purchase your in line fuel filter from and and fuel lines. Im hoping that this will fix my problem also.

any local auto parts store should be able to get you the fuel line and filter, **** even tractor supply carries small inline fuel filters, theyre probably in the lawn mower parts section. just take one of the hoses to make sure you get the right size.

dieselmudder · 02-24-2010, 06:33 PM

QUOTE (freakjeep93 @ Feb 23 2010, 04:37 PM)

Quote:

the problem may be that your float may be stuck or dirty. when my bike does this ( hardly ever but every bike ive owned has done it ) i just blow compresed air up teh hose and it will normally stop my leak.

compressed air can blow the needle clear out of the seat an thus change your float level, which means tearing the carb apart, putting the needle back on the float and resetting the float level.
learned that the hard way....

freakjeep93 · 02-24-2010, 08:46 PM

oh..... it always works for me

miskwabi · 05-16-2013, 12:37 PM

I know this thread is older, but I had to add my 2 cents. Dieselmudder is right, compressed air can unseat your valve and create unnecessary work. The easiest fix for this, and almost always successful, is to remove and reverse the inline check valve and gently blow air into the overflow line by mouth. Just a quick puff is probably enough to unseat any crud that accumulated over winter. Then turn the check valve around again and check for dripping. This literally takes 2 minutes, but the real solution is of course shutting off fuel and running the engine dry when you put it away.

TERRYDUANEMILLER · 05-16-2013, 09:23 PM

polish the float needle with an aluminum polish like mothers, and polish the brass needle sleeve with a Q-tip and some aluminum polish, they stick really easy.. Works every time

12-31-2009, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
toodeep Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 8,628	I have had a few of the older 400/450 carbs that the float pin worn the housing on the carb it sits in and leak gas. They can be repaired also by a mechanic that wants to or knows how to fix it. __________________ A 420 and 300 with some stuff...

02-23-2010, 07:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
freakjeep93 Honda Rider Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 75	the problem may be that your float may be stuck or dirty. when my bike does this ( hardly ever but every bike ive owned has done it ) i just blow compresed air up teh hose and it will normally stop my leak. __________________ 1992 yamaha big bear 1 inch lift kit 3000 pound superwinch. 1993 kawasaki bayou 400 k&N air filter. 25inch dirt devils 2500 pound champion winch when in doubt FLOOR IT!

02-24-2010, 08:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
freakjeep93 Honda Rider Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 75	oh..... it always works for me __________________ 1992 yamaha big bear 1 inch lift kit 3000 pound superwinch. 1993 kawasaki bayou 400 k&N air filter. 25inch dirt devils 2500 pound champion winch when in doubt FLOOR IT!

05-16-2013, 09:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
TERRYDUANEMILLER Honda Rider Join Date: May 2013 Location: SE Kentucky Posts: 38	polish the float needle with an aluminum polish like mothers, and polish the brass needle sleeve with a Q-tip and some aluminum polish, they stick really easy.. Works every time __________________ Green '06 & Black '07 Foreman 500, Yellow 2001 Foreman 450,

12-31-2009, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
tracyduke Honda Rider Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 3	I recently purchased a 2000 450s foreman that had been sitting for quite some time from a friend. Before I picked it up he said he discovered it was leaking gas from the overflow tube on the bottom of the carb float bowl. He took it to his local Honda dealer who cleaned the carb and replaced the float needle valve total cost $165.00. I picked it up and rode it for a little while and discovered it was again leaking gas from the overflow. Rather than return it to the dealer who did the service (150 miles away) I took it to a local dealer who again cleaned the carb, replaced the needle valve for another $150.00. After 1/2 day of riding it was again leaking fuel. I returned it to the dealer for warranty only to have them tell me the carb is no good and they would replace it for $650.00. I said F##@k that and called one of the advertisers on this board and ordered a new carb for $275.00 list price ($450). I removed the old carb, cleaned the gas tank, and installed the new carb. Everything worked fine for 2 days of riding when once again the new carb was leaking from the overflow. I again removed the new carb and sure enough their was a couple specs of crud on the valve seat. This time I cleaned out the crud, again cleaned out the gas tank and replaced the fuel line and installed an in-line fuel filter. I have ridden it for several days and problem solved. Lessons learned At the end of the day Always shut off the fuel selector and run the fuel from the carb until the machine stops Always store the machine with the fuel valve off as this leak could have been a major fire hazard by leaking a couple gallons of fuel on the garage floor. If you will not be using the machine for a while add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and be sure to turn off the fuel valve and run the machine until the engine stops. If you have a similar problem be sure to clean the tank, install new fuel lines, and add an in-line fuel filter. By the way the old carb is fine after I cleaned crud out of the needle valve seat.

02-23-2010, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
pepper23 Honda Rider Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	I am having the same problem with a Honda 450 s that i just purchased. The guy i bought it from had said it had been sitting for a while before he had sold it to me. We noticed that it had a small leak from the overflow but I figured with a good carb cleaning it would be fine. I have cleaned that carb numerous times and even ordered a carb kit online but nothing seems to stop the leak. Where did you purchase your in line fuel filter from and and fuel lines. Im hoping that this will fix my problem also.

05-16-2013, 12:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
miskwabi Honda Rider Join Date: May 2013 Location: Haliburton, ON Posts: 1	I know this thread is older, but I had to add my 2 cents. Dieselmudder is right, compressed air can unseat your valve and create unnecessary work. The easiest fix for this, and almost always successful, is to remove and reverse the inline check valve and gently blow air into the overflow line by mouth. Just a quick puff is probably enough to unseat any crud that accumulated over winter. Then turn the check valve around again and check for dripping. This literally takes 2 minutes, but the real solution is of course shutting off fuel and running the engine dry when you put it away.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Honda Foreman Forum Advertisement