How does a float valve stick???

I know its a dumb question but im kind of in a jam right now.

So my bike is running like crap! 82kz550a2

-It sounds like its only running on a couple cylinders.
-Fuel is POURING out of the air box drain when i try to run it.
-It wont idle and has terrible throttle response.

I figured it was a stuck float valve. But isnt it suppose to come out of the overflow's???

Try pulling the drain screws on the bowls of the suspected carbs to flush out any crud. Also give it a tap - a - roo with a rubber mallet or a place a piece of wood against the carb body and wack it with a hammer. This may unlodge a stuck float.

This has happened many a time to may a rider. Also, I have found that this problem was caused by a bad petcock before as well.

Of course someone will tell you to run an inline fuel filter and if the problem is not resolved by aforementioned low tech remadies then it maybe time to pull and clean those carbs.

Good luck. The smell of raw fuel is almost as bad as the problem itself.

550A2 wrote:

I know its a dumb question but im kind of in a jam right now.

So my bike is running like crap! 82kz550a2

-It sounds like its only running on a couple cylinders.
-Fuel is POURING out of the air box drain when i try to run it.
-It wont idle and has terrible throttle response.

I figured it was a stuck float valve. But isnt it suppose to come out of the overflow's???

Would check for fuel intrusion into crankcase via sniff test and examining physical condition of oil. And not again run engine until changing oil and filter, and correcting the carb overflow issue.

Overflow circuit likely clogged, and perhaps overflow hose is kinked or blocked.

Probably crud in the float valve, and time for carb removal, disassembly and cleaning.

Remember to install a fresh inline fuel filter, or two filters if dual fuel lines are fitted.

Good Luck!

THanks for the quick replys!

Yeah, an oil change is coming soon.

ive drained the bowls twice, and did a little tapping with no results.
I actually did take the carbs off and blew out the main's and pilots, and the circuts.

But i neglected the float seats now that i think about it, I thought they were working when i had them on the bench because every float bowl filled up and stopped, but they werent all to spec so i adjusted the tang's and the float level is fine. But the problem is still there.

Should i take the bowls off and maybe take out the float needles and blow the seats out?

take the float out and make sure its not full of fuel while youre at it

If the carbs look clean and you have addressed the needles and seats and the problem persists, then check the petcock.

I had the same problem and after replacing the petcock with a new suzuki from Z1 the problem stopped and I have not had any trouble since.

A good question would be, which carbs are leaking 2 & 3?

If the float needles have little black rubber tip then these can wear and the needles may need to be replaced - cheap, usually, at least cheap for my 750. The other thing which might be worth doing is to soak a Q tip cotton swab in carb cleaner and run it around the carb seat. Works for me. If carb cleaner on a Q tip does not work then you could try Brasso.

Thanks for the help!

i think mostly 1, cause i blew the cylinder out with compressed air and it was flooded and FULL of gas, i mean alot sprayed out.

Im gonna do some reading to see if they are suppose to rubber tips, then ill break em open again and clean em out real good.

If it still does it, then ill look at the petcock.
what would i be looking for in the petcock?

I like the metal-polish-on-a-Qtip-in-a-dremel-tool trick for cleaning and polishing the inside of the needle valve seats. Worked for me.

YUKABODOS wrote:

If the carbs look clean and you have addressed the needles and seats and the problem persists, then check the petcock.

I had the same problem and after replacing the petcock with a new suzuki from Z1 the problem stopped and I have not had any trouble since.

A good question would be, which carbs are leaking 2 & 3?

the petcock's job is let fuel reach the carbs. the float needle and seat's job is to hold the fuel level. you need to look inside the carbs and find out why the fuel is not shut off when the fuel comes up to the correct level. as said that is the job of the float needle and seat.

hoghaterkaw wrote:

YUKABODOS wrote:

If the carbs look clean and you have addressed the needles and seats and the problem persists, then check the petcock.

I had the same problem and after replacing the petcock with a new suzuki from Z1 the problem stopped and I have not had any trouble since.

A good question would be, which carbs are leaking 2 & 3?

the petcock's job is let fuel reach the carbs. the float needle and seat's job is to hold the fuel level. you need to look inside the carbs and find out why the fuel is not shut off when the fuel comes up to the correct level. as said that is the job of the float needle and seat.

as much as i hate to admit it, he s right......

Part of the key here is finding out why your overflow circuits aren't working either. Even if your needle/seats aren't doing their job, the gas should end up on the ground not flooding your cylinders.