Did I screw up my carbs?

CZroe · August 25th, 2014, 06:21 PM

I recently bought a spare bike with no fuel tank. The seller fit it in my trunk sideways. Worried about fuel spilling out in my car, I asked if the float bowls had been drained and he told me they had.

That was over a week ago. I finally got around to removing the carbs and other stuff from the frame today. I was carrying them around with the boots, throttle cables, choke cable, etc attached as I looked for a safe place to set them. That's when I noticed fuel pouring out of one of the tubes. Oh boy.

That means that there was fuel in it while it was sideways in my car. That means that as I moved them around today, sometimes upside down, fuel was contacting plastic and rubber parts inside. Did I ruin the carbs? Do I need to take them apart ASAP?

dcj13 · August 25th, 2014, 07:09 PM

Nah. You're probably ok. Carb parts are designed for years of exposure to fuel vapor.

Hero Danny · August 25th, 2014, 07:15 PM

I would say it's fine. Gasoline won't harm your carbs. especially if it was only for a few hours tops.

cuong-nutz · August 25th, 2014, 08:03 PM

Oh you're screwed. Send it to me so I can properly dispose of it for you.

MrAtom · August 25th, 2014, 10:43 PM

I've rebuilt weedeater and lawnmower carbs before, and it was pretty easy. Would it even be a big deal if you did have to rebuild it? Or are these carbs more complex than that?

CZroe · August 26th, 2014, 05:47 AM

Thanks, guys. I didn't have the proper workspace or tools to take them apart right away, so your responses helped me sleep well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAtom

I've rebuilt weedeater and lawnmower carbs before, and it was pretty easy. Would it even be a big deal if you did have to rebuild it? Or are these carbs more complex than that?

The diaphragms cost a ton of money. If they get deformed or torn, you're screwed. I've been told to keep all the plastic/rubber parts away from fuel because it will melt/deform it.

MrAtom · August 26th, 2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

The diaphragms cost a ton of money. If they get deformed or torn, you're screwed. I've been told to keep all the plastic/rubber parts away from fuel because it will melt/deform it.

Holy crap! Why?! That's insane. If I have a carb diaphragm issue, I'm buying a whole other parts bike, salvaging the carbs and parting the rest of the bike out. Craaaazy, man. I'm totally keeping that in mind. Thank you!

August 25th, 2014, 06:21 PM	#1
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Did I screw up my carbs? I recently bought a spare bike with no fuel tank. The seller fit it in my trunk sideways. Worried about fuel spilling out in my car, I asked if the float bowls had been drained and he told me they had. That was over a week ago. I finally got around to removing the carbs and other stuff from the frame today. I was carrying them around with the boots, throttle cables, choke cable, etc attached as I looked for a safe place to set them. That's when I noticed fuel pouring out of one of the tubes. Oh boy. That means that there was fuel in it while it was sideways in my car. That means that as I moved them around today, sometimes upside down, fuel was contacting plastic and rubber parts inside. Did I ruin the carbs? Do I need to take them apart ASAP?

August 25th, 2014, 07:15 PM	#3
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	I would say it's fine. Gasoline won't harm your carbs. especially if it was only for a few hours tops. __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

August 25th, 2014, 08:03 PM	#4
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Oh you're screwed. Send it to me so I can properly dispose of it for you. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

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August 25th, 2014, 07:09 PM	#2
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Nah. You're probably ok. Carb parts are designed for years of exposure to fuel vapor.

August 25th, 2014, 10:43 PM	#5
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	I've rebuilt weedeater and lawnmower carbs before, and it was pretty easy. Would it even be a big deal if you did have to rebuild it? Or are these carbs more complex than that?