Please help; I’ve a problem with my 1993 750ss which I have owned since 1997. Starting it a couple of weeks ago one of the carbs started flooding badly through one of the overflow pipes. As the carbs had not been touched since new, I assumed a problem with either dirt in the carb or a worn float needle. When I removed the float chambers, not a spec of dirt to be seen! I’ve been using Silkolene Pro FST in the petrol for some time, mainly to stop carb icing in cold weather. I guess this has also helped to keep the system clean. However, I decided to replace both needle valves and floats. Result is just the same, perhaps worse as petrol runs out of both overflows without even switching the pump on!
Normally this would be a simple remedy for flooding: is there something else I should be looking for? Although I’ve had the Ducati for some years now, most of my motorcycle maintenance has and is on older Brit iron with good old Amals. Mikuni carbs are a bit new to me.
Has anyone had a similar problem? Please help.
Cheers
ian s
This may sound a little silly, but have you checked that the floats still ‘float’ - they could have a hole - even a small one could call a problem.
Another, maybe daft, question as you seem to have a good general knowledge of carburettors,
Has the small screw in the bottom of the float bowl that facilitates drainage become loose enough to let fuel out of the drain tube?
Thanks for your replies. Although I replaced the floats and needles with new ones, I pulled it all apart again to check for a leaky float and check I had assembled it correctly. Everthing seemed OK so I put it all back together again. I rechecked the return pipework for a blockage and realised, when blowing down it , that the tank could pressurise because of the one way valve in the breather. I removed it and so far no flooding and the bike is running as it should. I doubt whether the one way valve was the problem, it never has been before, but things are OK now. Weird!!
Cheers
ian s