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Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
- Hamaya
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07 May 2015 12:59 - 07 May 2015 13:43 #671028
by Hamaya
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550 was created by Hamaya
I'm working on a 1983 KZ550 LTD that hasn't ran since last July, although it sat with fuel in the carbs. I cleaned the carbs, and after putting them back together I found I have a fuel leak where the T joint enters the #2 carburetor. The plastic surface of the T joint appears to be somewhat degraded, so that is probably a factor in causing the leak (soaking the carbs in Pine Sol during their cleaning seemed to add to the degradation. Whoops ).
What is the best way to stop the leak? I did a little digging on the forum and found that people have suggested yellow teflon tape, heat shrink, plastidip, or even just JB Welding the joint in place. Unfortunately, the part is out of production, and Z1 doesn't seem to have a metal alternative to the T joint (Kawi P/N: 92005-1020).
Thanks
Edit: Is there a trick to getting these carbs on and off easier? I already lubed up the boots with silicone lubricant. This would be a breeze if the engineers would have allowed the airbox to move back one extra inch.
What is the best way to stop the leak? I did a little digging on the forum and found that people have suggested yellow teflon tape, heat shrink, plastidip, or even just JB Welding the joint in place. Unfortunately, the part is out of production, and Z1 doesn't seem to have a metal alternative to the T joint (Kawi P/N: 92005-1020).
Thanks
Edit: Is there a trick to getting these carbs on and off easier? I already lubed up the boots with silicone lubricant. This would be a breeze if the engineers would have allowed the airbox to move back one extra inch.
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Last edit: 07 May 2015 13:43 by Hamaya. Reason: ranting
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07 May 2015 14:56 #671039
by Hamaya
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Replied by Hamaya on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
On a positive note, I got the bike running today for the first time since July. She sounds great
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
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- Patton
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07 May 2015 16:32 - 07 May 2015 16:33 #671062
by Patton
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Replied by Patton on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
Am thinking the stock fuel line T-joint is probably a metal part, perhaps some kind of pot metal.
For comparison, here's the kind of fuel T-joint ("fuel pipe") used in the KZ900, which has a semi-flexible structure like "built-in" o'rings, and which may be more tightly fitted by wrapping with yellow teflon tape.
Part #92005-1020 is supposedly available from:
www.plenternz.com/product_info.php?manuf...68s6f42uqetreg0vbp53
www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-parts/k...x550/carburetor-assy
Hopefully, a couple of new o'rings (Part # 92055-1134) may stop the leaking.
Does the fuel joint at hand appear to be made of something other than metal?
Good Fortune!
For comparison, here's the kind of fuel T-joint ("fuel pipe") used in the KZ900, which has a semi-flexible structure like "built-in" o'rings, and which may be more tightly fitted by wrapping with yellow teflon tape.
Part #92005-1020 is supposedly available from:
www.plenternz.com/product_info.php?manuf...68s6f42uqetreg0vbp53
www.motosport.com/motorcycle/oem-parts/k...x550/carburetor-assy
Hopefully, a couple of new o'rings (Part # 92055-1134) may stop the leaking.
Does the fuel joint at hand appear to be made of something other than metal?
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 07 May 2015 16:33 by Patton.
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- Nessism
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07 May 2015 17:44 #671068
by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
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- bluej58
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07 May 2015 18:18 #671076
by bluej58
78 KZ1000 A2A
Replied by bluej58 on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
My T joints leaked when I first got my bike back on the road 4 years ago after sitting for 18 years ,so I bough a couple of new stock "T"s to replace them with but by the time they got delivered to me the originals swelled up and had stopped leaking.
I have around 28,000 miles on them since then and still no leaks
I have around 28,000 miles on them since then and still no leaks
78 KZ1000 A2A
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08 May 2015 16:19 - 08 May 2015 16:29 #671171
by Hamaya
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Replied by Hamaya on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
Now that the bike has been running, the leak is much slower. I'll give it another couple days to see if it fixes itself.
The bike runs great, starts easy, and feels very quick! The 550 will be a great bike to bomb around town in.
My choke seems to be acting funny, however. When I pull it out halfway, it works fine, but when I pull it out fully my engine dies.
Edit: I should add what drivetrain-related maintenance has been done to the bike the last few weeks.
The bike runs great, starts easy, and feels very quick! The 550 will be a great bike to bomb around town in.
My choke seems to be acting funny, however. When I pull it out halfway, it works fine, but when I pull it out fully my engine dies.
Edit: I should add what drivetrain-related maintenance has been done to the bike the last few weeks.
- valve clearance adjustment
- carburetor clean (Pine Sol soak)
- float height set to 27mm (factory setting)
- pilot screws turned out 2.5 turns (factory setting)
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Last edit: 08 May 2015 16:29 by Hamaya. Reason: elaboration
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- Patton
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09 May 2015 02:40 #671218
by Patton
Would perform the clear tube test to confirm FUEL LEVELS.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Replied by Patton on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
"Float height" setting may not produce correct FUEL LEVEL (the sought after result).Hamaya wrote: ...float height set to 27mm (factory setting)....
Would perform the clear tube test to confirm FUEL LEVELS.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- 650ed
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09 May 2015 05:03 #671226
by 650ed
+1!
The float height setting may get you in the ballpark, but the only way it can make the fuel level in every carb equal is if every float weighs exactly the same and has the same buoyancy, and everything about every float valve is identical, etc. The clear tube test shows the actual fuel level inside the carb bowls when everything is assembled, and that is the only way to see how close the fuel levels of all the carbs are to the spec. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Replied by 650ed on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
Patton wrote:
"Float height" setting may not produce correct FUEL LEVEL (the sought after result).Hamaya wrote: ...float height set to 27mm (factory setting)....
Would perform the clear tube test to confirm FUEL LEVELS.
Good Fortune!
+1!
The float height setting may get you in the ballpark, but the only way it can make the fuel level in every carb equal is if every float weighs exactly the same and has the same buoyancy, and everything about every float valve is identical, etc. The clear tube test shows the actual fuel level inside the carb bowls when everything is assembled, and that is the only way to see how close the fuel levels of all the carbs are to the spec. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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09 May 2015 12:14 - 09 May 2015 12:14 #671255
by Hamaya
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Replied by Hamaya on topic Fuel leak at T joint - '83 KZ550
I know the clear tube method is the best way to measure fuel height. I'm just a little burnt out from working on the bike right now and that job is a little tedious
Could that be related to full choke killing the engine? I'm not sure how the choke mechanism works exactly.
Could that be related to full choke killing the engine? I'm not sure how the choke mechanism works exactly.
1983 KZ550-M1 LTD Shaft
Last edit: 09 May 2015 12:14 by Hamaya.
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