Honda fuel leak?

[cmr123]

Anyone had problems losing fuel in a Honda Foreman 450 (1998). Mine seems to "lose" about 1/4 tank in a month. If the fuel is shut off, it does not lose any. I've check every fuel line on the machine. Then, laid out some nice clean papertowels under the tank, carb, and all fuel lines and left it for a month. No sign of the towels getting wet, but still missing fuel. Also no odor or puddles on the concrete under the machine.

My only thought is it's such a slow leak it evaporates before dripping onto anything. I can ride it for a day without running out, but not a big fan of having any size fuel leak when the hot engine and fuel tank are right between my legs!

Any thoughts?

 

[SpudHauler]

Possible float inlet needle has something holding it open. A little gum or dirt. Try removing the bowl drain and run some gas through. Make sure to catch what drains to check for dirt, if possible.

If that doesn't top the leak, you may need to remove carb and clean.

And you could try adding some fuel stabilizer. It has cleaners in it that may help digest the gummies.

Your carb has a drain tube and that one would come off the side just above the float bowl cover. Follow it down and see if it is wet.

Do this kind of stuff outside, with water hose ready, gas is easy to ignite. BE SAFE

Only other cause, SOMEONE is making love to free fuel at your expense.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[MoKelly]

It seems hard to believe 1/4th tank of fuel a month is leaking but evaporating without leaving any marks on the floor or paper towels.

That is alot of gas.

It has to be going somewhere. I assume you have checked to be sure its not getting into the oil.

MoKelly

 

[MrChris]

I had a Kawasaki atv that had a warn carb float needle that wasn't shutting off the gas flow and it was leaking out the overflow tube of the carb.

 

[cmr123]

Only other cause, SOMEONE is making love to free fuel at your expense

There's a full 5 gal gas can right next to it, so they would be doing WAY to much work!

Do this kind of stuff outside, with water hose ready, gas is easy to ignite. BE SAFE

Actually, would rather have a bucket of sand than a garden hose. Ever sprayed burning gas....it tends to float on top of the water and spread fast!

Just curious here, the carb is uphill from the fuel line coming out of the tank. I could see fuel in the carb leaking out, but with the machine not running how's the gas running uphill?

 

[timswi]

On my previous Big Bear 350, the needle valve would stick sometimes and leak small amounts of fuel.

I would just pull off the fuel line (pinch it closed first) and spray Gumout into the inlet. That took care of the problem until whatever was in the gas tank washed through, then no more problems.

 

[proff49]

If the tank is full there is fuel above the level of the carb. If the carb is leaking somewhere it will leak until the fuel in the tank is at the same level as the carb. This shouldn't happen though, if the the fuel is shut off at the tank.

 

[timswi]

If the tank is full there is fuel above the level of the carb. If the carb is leaking somewhere it will leak until the fuel in the tank is at the same level as the carb. This shouldn't happen though, if the the fuel is shut off at the tank.

Agreed...In my case the petcock didn't shut the fuel off completely, so the issue was more urgent for me.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I agree with the junk in the needle and seat theory....I've had this happen several times with my snowblowers. I couldn't tell where the fuel was going for a long time because it would evaporate before I noticed it, over time the paint under the carb got discolored. I replaced the needle and seat assembly and no more mysterious fuel leak.:thumbsup:

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

did you ever drain the oil? i had a motor with a sticky vale and needle and if i left the gas on it would run right into the cyclinder and down into the crank case. you can't tell just by lookin at the dip stick because the oils floats on top the fuel but if you drain it you will get fuel first then the oil. just someting you might wanna check.

 

[SpudHauler]

Well I stayed quiet long enough CMR123.

What do you suppose firefighters ( I was one for 9 years) use in their trucks and what do you think comes out of the sprinkler systems in most public buildings. And what do airport fireman use for airplane fires.

It's called H2O, 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, look it up.

The reason I suggested a hose is it is still the most common thing around and has a limitless supply. Used properly can and will extinguish almost anything but a magnesium fire.

I've seen the house burnt down, garage burnt down and the vehicle in a smoldering ruins because of people working dangerously and not being careful enough.

And I suppose you have a truck load of sand at the ready all the time!
Shovel you fool shovel!

 

[cmr123]

What do you suppose firefighters ( I was one for 9 years) use in their trucks and what do you think comes out of the sprinkler systems in most public buildings. And what do airport fireman use for airplane fires.

Thanks for the advice. I've been one for 12 years, an instructor for 5 years and worn a white hat for the past 4. Most sprinkler systems do use water, since the contents of most buildings are class A. However, hood systems in kitchens and those found in the overhangs of gas stations are dry chemical, since water and burning grease/oil/gas don't mix. Most people are taught if you ever have a grease fire on a stove, use baking powder or cover it with a lid, don't spray water since it will just spread. Same principal. Airports use AFFF foam, which mixes with a small amount of water to smother the fire.

Was just trying to point out a safer way to put out a gasoline fire for anyone else that may have been reading, sorry if I offended you.

Tommy, oil was just changed, seemed fine. Thanks

I'll be tackling the needle and seat assembly whenever time allows.

 

[SpudHauler]

Too funny. :laughing:

Two fireman trying to accomplish the same thing. Keep them safe.

Yes I use the AFFF, ABC extingusher, just water, sand and a blanket. All to put out fires.

I was just hoping to get them outside and have something to fight with. Not the best choice but probably the quickest, besides the 911 call.

Anyway great to hear there are a few of us enjoying the outdoors too.:thumbsup:

But back to the job at hand.

I think you are going to have to clean the carb, outside! :laughing:

Most if not all leaks from the carb will be through the overflow hose at the back of the engine or another method it can get out. All usually caused by small rusty material from an aging tank getting between a very fine needle and seat trying hard to control gas flow.

Or, and there is always another or, your floats are starting to saturate and not floating like they should. Highly unlikely because if memory serves me right, they are not brass floats, but rather a very light material impervious to fuel.

I was a Honda mechanic for 3years and worked on other makes for 5 years before that.

Good to have a fellow fireman on board.:thumbsup: