Honda Foreman 450 fuel leak

[JDgreen227]

'99 Foreman 450, very low mileage (490) leaks fuel from the carb overflow tube...yes I do know it's likely a sticking float, and I can easily R&R the carb and clean the float...but what baffles me is, when the float is sticking, why doesn't turning the fuel valve to the "off" position stop the fuel flow???

On mine it doesn't...the tank will empty itself through the carb overflow tube WITH THE FUEL VALVE turned to off....???? Makes no sense to me, thanks for any advice.

 

[Fixemall]

The crud that is making your float stick is also jamming your shutoff valve, I would clean and drain tank as well. It is also possible that the valve does not line up perfectly with the "off" position, try moving it slightly off the mark and see if it stops.

 

[JDgreen227]

The crud that is making your float stick is also jamming your shutoff valve, I would clean and drain tank as well. It is also possible that the valve does not line up perfectly with the "off" position, try moving it slightly off the mark and see if it stops.

Thanks for very prompt response....I will do that today. Machine may be low miles but that also might explain crud buildup (fuel is not used very fast) :thumbsup:

 

[nybirdman]

Had a similar problem with one of ours;it's the needle and seat that needs cleaning.May want to run some fuel stabilizer.I also added an additional fuel filter(in line),most have a fuel filter in the tank.

 

[JDgreen227]

The crud that is making your float stick is also jamming your shutoff valve, I would clean and drain tank as well. It is also possible that the valve does not line up perfectly with the "off" position, try moving it slightly off the mark and see if it stops.

I am sure you pinpointed the leak...I pulled the fuel tank, the cheapo rubber (non reinforced) hose right under the tank was hardened and had a small crack, which may explain the leak. I removed the tank, flushed it out well with several fillings of water, blew it as dry as possible with an electric blower, and there was some crud in the rinse water that ran thru the fuel valve. The valve also will not shut off properly at the index mark, I am going to install a secondary shut off valve when I replace the fuel line.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR INPUT AND ADVICE. :thumbsup:

 

[JDgreen227]

Two weeks after I thought the problem with my fuel leak was fixed, today it began leaking again. Tank is clean, fuel less than two weeks old, new fuel hose, carb was taken apart and cleaned. Still leaks fuel from overflow hose when fuel valve is on.

BTW, I have a factory service manual. There is NO "seat" at all, Honda terms the part a "float valve" it clips onto the float and has a rubber tapered tip. Manual shows no separate seat and there is no way to adjust the float to vary the travel of the float valve. I am so tired of this problem I want to scream. The float and float valve look brand new no wear at all, so I cannot understand why they don't shut off fuel flow like they should.

 

[bullbreaker]

Its a shot in the dark but maybe your vent in fuel-cap plugged or bad and pressure being create in tank and forceing its way down.

Boone

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks but vent that goes thru fuel tank cap is clear and fuel will drain out carb base even with tank cap removed so it cannot be pressure. What makes this so frustrating is when I search online for the problem practically every other case where this problem happens is on an older, high mileage or high hour machine. The float on mine has no holes, and it will easily shut off the fuel flow if I lift it with the carb off the ATV. Someone on another forum said they lightly sanded the ribs on their float valve and that prevented it from sticking but mine moves so smoothly I doubt if that would make a difference. Also another forum member said to be sure the tiny o ring on the drain screw on carb float bowl is present and not damaged...mine checks out fine. Wish I could figure out what the problem is...very frustrating.

 

[nybirdman]

that rubber tapered part is the "neddle",I don't know what honda calls it.I went thru the same thing,couldn't see anything wrong with it.Replace it.May want to order a float at the same time.I know very frustrating;I had mine apart a dozen times.

 

[HHR]

I have had water get trapped in the primer assembly that is on the bottom of the float bowl. the water froze and cracked the primer housing. Also, the needle can look good and still leak.