Think I found (at least part of) the problem

[Strizzo]

Last weekend we took the skis up to Arkansas for a camping and cruising weekend on Lake Ouachita. everything went well until the last morning of riding, the xp started dropping rpms. at first i thought it was too rich because popping the choke made it want to die. when i got back in town i pulled the carbs to send to Dr. Honda for a long overdue overhaul, and decided that the only thing left in the fuel system, the original fuel selector, needed to go. When i pulled the knob and cover off of the fuel valve, this is what i found underneath.



it was clean under there before when i swapped the fuel lines, so the dirt stuck to the dried fuel residue is recent. SO, if fuel can get out, obviously air can get in. I have a feeling that this was at least partially responsible for my hesitation issue last weekend. hopefully i can get the parts in and everything back together for the next camping weekend in a couple weeks. will be nice to not have to crank and crank and crank everytime it sits for a few minutes!

carry on!

 

[Robj]

For what it is worth, I replaced mine when I did the fuel lines. A new one only costs $20. Glad you found your problem.

 

[Strizzo]

For what it is worth, I replaced mine when I did the fuel lines. A new one only costs $20. Glad you found your problem.

not on this particular critter, the fuel lines ar 5/16" so its 69.99 from osd. the valve is a good deal different than the 1/4" line valves.

 

[Robj]

not on this particular critter, the fuel lines ar 5/16" so its 69.99 from osd. the valve is a good deal different than the 1/4" line valves.

Thanks for the correction. That changes things. Are you sure that is from fuel and not water? That line/valve would see a negative pressure so air leaks would be the biggest problem, but maybe some fuel could leak out as well. You could always pressure test the valve to make sure it is the cause of your problem.

 

[Strizzo]

it is definitely fuel, the stuff the dirt is stuck to is gummy and sticky. theres also a lighter trail of the same sticky junk below the valve that i found when i looked closer.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I think you are in the right area...

I have seen fuel lines leak and suck air. They leak until there is a demand for fuel and then suck air once the demand is there.