Air breather confusion and leak?

After my bike has been sitting for two-three days I start noticing a gas stain on the concrete beneath my bike. This only happens if I leave the petcock on. I also notice a wetness on the air breather(metal can looking thing below carbs). Also noticed a little wetness in the air box below the air filter.Was wondering why it only happens with the petcock on. The stock vacuum petcock has been replaced with a non vacuum petcock. So I guess I am wondering if this is some vacuum related thing? Should I just make sure to turn the petcock off and not worry about it or do I have an issue that requires repair?

Can someone explain to me what the air breather(metal can looking thing) is for and how it works?

Thanks in advance
Chris

it may have a sticking float cause it to flood when its parked

Picture of this breather? Also if you are using Gas with Ethanol in it(most of us are), it attacks rubber fuel system parts:

Ethanol In Gasoline Problems

Certain materials commonly used with gasoline may be incompatible with high-level ethanol blends, causing them to degrade and contaminate the fuel. Metals that have been shown to degrade over time in the presence of high-level alcohol blends include brass,(floats & jets) lead, zinc(carb bodies) and lead-based solder.

Nonmetallic materials that degrade when in contact with ethanol include natural rubber, polyurethane, cork gasket material, leather, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyamides, and certain thermoplastic or thermoset polymers.

On the other hand, unplated steel, nickel-plated steel, stainless steel, black iron and bronze have shown resistance to ethanol corrosion, with nonmetallic materials like reinforced fiberglass, Buna-N, Neoprene rubber, polypropylene, nitrile rubber, Viton and Teflon meeting acceptable usage standards with E85.

gengomerpyle wrote: it may have a sticking float cause it to flood when its parked

+1 on what gengomerpyle and MFolkes described. But you said it only happens if you leave the petcock on. So at least you can keep it from happening by turning off the petcock until you fix the probable stuck float needle(s). I would also open the oil cap and see if you smell gas in the oil. If you do smell gas there and also notice the oil level went up, then you have contaminated your oil from the fuel leak. Will need to replace the oil in this case.

Here's an on-line manual for Z1~KZ900 which should help until the KZ1000 FSM arrives.

kzrider.com/filebase/doc_download/434-z1...asaki-service-manual


Also, there's lots of good info on kawasaki.com, including parts diagrams, part names, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc. Here's a link for help with navigating the site and finding information.
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=13&id=376734

Good Fortune!

Ive been reading from the links provided and it looks like what I am calling the "metal can" is an oil breather. I still cant completly wrap my head around its purpose. Im not a motor guy as you can probably tell. Any oil breather for dummies type of information would be appreciated. Also is there a cure for a stuck float that doesnt involve removing the carbs?

Thanks,
Chris

KraZy Chris wrote: Ive been reading from the links provided and it looks like what I am calling the "metal can" is an oil breather. I still cant completly wrap my head around its purpose. Im not a motor guy as you can probably tell. Any oil breather for dummies type of information would be appreciated. Also is there a cure for a stuck float that doesnt involve removing the carbs? Thanks, Chris

Likely NOT a "stuck float."

Would suspect the more common cause, being an imperfectly clean float valve.
Where crud resides at the interface where the pointed tip of the float needle fits into the seat orifice.

Might get lucky by running through a tankful of fresh gasoline with Seafoam added to the gasoline, which sometimes cleans the crud away from the orifice.

Could also try flushing the orifice interface clean by opening the float bowl drain and allowing gasoline to run through the carb and out the drain, which allows gasoline to flow through the interface.

Good Fortune!

.

Thanks Martin its reassuring to hear someone else has experienced this also

Chris