Carburettor Leak

[Steve]

I've recently replaced all the o rings and gaskets in my carburettors, and the two outboard caraburettors leak through the float bowl joint. Having checked, the gaskets are properly seated in their grooves and there is no damage to the gaskets or mating surfaces. Have I done something wrong? Is there some trick I've missed? All seems a bit strange to me. I've read somewhere that you shouldn't use any sealer, but under the circumstances, should I use a thin coat of something like Hylomar or Wellseal?

[Awynn]

Sealers are deffinate bad idea, did you change the float needles and if so have you set the float hights. When I did the o-rings and float needles in mine I didn't set the float hights and the carbs leaked. I didn't have the settings for the float hights so I just put the old float needles back in which were fine anyway, problem solved. Maybe you have the same problem if you have replaced the float seals and the surfaces are ok?

[Steve]

I changed the o rings, the seal under the jet housing, and the float bowl seal, or gasket. I didn't change the float needles or float heights. If there is a problem, and the bowl is overfilling, then wouldn't it leak out of the overflow tube? Is that where yours leaked? Even if the bowl is overfilled it shouldn't leak through the float bowl seal (which is where mine leaks) should it? When the bike is upright it doesn't leak and seems to run OK, but when it's on the side stand the fuel level comes up over the float bowl joint and it starts to leak. Also, the new float bowl seals (original Suzuki) expand in petrol, whereas the old ones don't. Doesn't sound right does it?

[Awynn]

The new seals expand in petrol? No that doesn't sound right to me...no expert though