Is a gas leak on a Suzuki VZ800 a common problem and is it a realativley easy fix?

[Joebell777]

I have a 2000 Suzuki MArauder VZ 800 and I took it out for the 1st time today since putting it away for the winter. It started up 1st try with no problems. I let it warm up for 10-15 mins drove 2 blocks to the gas station to top off the tank. Stopped back at home and gave it another look over before heading out. Oil, gas,chain, lights, wheel bearings, tire pressure, etc. no problems. I headed out and about 2 miles down I noticed a gasoline smell while stopped at a light, I looked down to find gas pouring out from the bike. The bike kept running although there was some (minor) loss of power while accelertating, and some sputtering. The gas only leaked while the bike was running. It seemed to leak at the same pace while ideling. I am new to motorcycle repair but I know my way around cars so I am not clueless, I need a point in the right direction here. Where should I start looking for the proble? Thanks in advance, any tips will help.

 

[jon]

I'll point you in the right direction. Your carb's floatbowl overflow is where the leak is coming from. Its a tube that runs down the frame in the middle of the bike to the ground from the bottom of the carb, and it should not be doing that. The reason it does that, is because you didnt properly empty the carbs before storage, and old gas has gummed up inside the carb and is clogging the float needle, and probably the jets (hence the loss of power). You need to have the carb taken off and cleaned out properly. The jets, body, and passages inside the carb need to be completely free of varnished gas, and debris. If you take it to a shop, you might as well get a rebuild kit for it (10-20 bucks) and have the tech install new seals etc. since it will be off the bike and apart anyway.