Float Bowl Removal & Cleaning

[jsub]

Finally get a non raining day to try out the mastiff. Found gas on the floor & then sputtered & stalled trying to get out the driveway. So, I suspect the float. Do I just take the four screws out the bottom & there it is? I'm afraid of parts falling out everywhere & have to take a box of parts to a mechanic.
Thanks

 

[Gas Man]

No, just be sure to turn the petcock off before you start.

Then get a small glass jar, put it under the bowl, pull the hex nut plug out of the center to drain the gas,

then remove the 4 screws. (you can do this on the bike but will need a stubby flat head screw driver)

Everything will come down in piece. If you leave the hose on the bowl (or put it back on slightly rerouted if its short) you can test run the float once you put the plug back in.

Here's what the bottom of the carb will look like (right) and the bowl (left).

Just be carefull to watch for the little o-ring (the little blue thing you see) that goes on the nozzle. It can get caught on the paper gasket and get stuck up there like this pic below. If it does, simply retrieve it by grabbing it or remove the paper gasket carefully by sliding downward and then put the paper gasket back, unless you plan on pulling the jets as described below.

Then since you're in there... check your jets if for nothing else so you know what you have in there..

Intermidiate jet

Main jet

 

[jsub]

Many thanks. This is exactly the help I was looking for.

 

[danosrs]

I have done this several times trying to get the carb jetted right after going open pipes. I reused the bowl gasket every time but just in case I ordered one from S&S when I ordered the jets, have not used it but I thought it would be good to have on hand in case it started to leak.

 

[jsub]

The Bitch Runs

The bowl & float were perfect. Took the right gas cap & it was about to overflow. Took the left cap off & what you know - practically empty. Hell, it was venting problem. Just enough gas in left side to run until it died & while wearing out the battery try to start it gas was slowing filling back in enough to fill the carb & start again, only to die again as it used all the gas in the carb.
Pulled the vent guts out of the right cap & the bitch runs! WHIPPEE!! Yep that was in Caps.

 

[Trainguy]

No, just be sure to turn the petcock off before you start.

Then get a small glass jar, put it under the bowl, pull the hex nut plug out of the center to drain the gas,

then remove the 4 screws. (you can do this on the bike but will need a stubby flat head screw driver)

Everything will come down in piece. If you leave the hose on the bowl (or put it back on slightly rerouted if its short) you can test run the float once you put the plug back in.

Here's what the bottom of the carb will look like (right) and the bowl (left).

Just be carefull to watch for the little o-ring (the little blue thing you see) that goes on the nozzle. It can get caught on the paper gasket and get stuck up there like this pic below. If it does, simply retrieve it by grabbing it or remove the paper gasket carefully by sliding downward and then put the paper gasket back, unless you plan on pulling the jets as described below.

Then since you're in there... check your jets if for nothing else so you know what you have in there..

Intermidiate jet

Main jet

Thanks for this How To.
Got into my carb yesterday to bump up the intermidiate and check on the gas leak (drops) from the overflow tube. Closed the fuel pulled the plug on the bowl to drain the fuel and inside the drain plug is the blue o-ring that you said to be very careful stays in place. This is the first time the bowl has been off?
Trainguy

 

[Raywood]

Don't loose that little blue oring that goes on the accelerator nozzle. You see it under the gasket in one of the pictures above.

 

[Trainguy]

Don't loose that little blue oring that goes on the accelerator nozzle. You see it under the gasket in one of the pictures above.

Thanks Raywood
It`s back were it belongs now. Not sure what happen but it been there since the bike was new (400 miles ago).:up:

Trainguy

 

[kwhit13]

I have the same problem with the overflow gas leak. I pulled the fuel bowl off and everything looked good but I cleaned it out anyway. I still have the leak. Any other ideas?

 

[Gas Man]

When you pulled the bowl... did you make sure the little o ring on top of the knozzle went back in place?

Did you check the float operation when it was pulled? Easy... drop the bowl but leave the gas line hooked up. Make sure the petcock is off. Turn the petcock on and watch the bowl fill. See if it fills up too much.

How did the gasket look?

 

[kwhit13]

When you pulled the bowl... did you make sure the little o ring on top of the knozzle went back in place?

Did you check the float operation when it was pulled? Easy... drop the bowl but leave the gas line hooked up. Make sure the petcock is off. Turn the petcock on and watch the bowl fill. See if it fills up too much.

How did the gasket look?

The gasket and o-ring were good. I'll check the float operation this weekend.

 

[Gatlin5]

Having the same problem here. Great write up, I'm going to check out the float and will check for the blue o ring and gasket. This troubleshooting started a few weeks back. Just bought the bike and this problem was compounded by a number a seperate issues; a hole in a spark plug wire was the first thing I uncovered, replaced with Thundervolt 10's. Then found that the gas tank liner was peeling when I pulled the petcock to check the screen. Had Fuel Tank Services re do it, did a fantastic job. It does not have a drain tube on the upper over flow valve, should have one I expect, and it has a thunderjet on it so the drain for the bowl is rerouted to the top of the carb does that create any other problems?

Its all cool I'm getting a crash course on the Big Dog and getting to know her.

Thanks to all your how too info and all the other posts. :2thumbs:

Joe

 

[phatchopper300]

No, just be sure to turn the petcock off before you start.

Then get a small glass jar, put it under the bowl, pull the hex nut plug out of the center to drain the gas,

then remove the 4 screws. (you can do this on the bike but will need a stubby flat head screw driver)

Everything will come down in piece. If you leave the hose on the bowl (or put it back on slightly rerouted if its short) you can test run the float once you put the plug back in.

Here's what the bottom of the carb will look like (right) and the bowl (left).

Just be carefull to watch for the little o-ring (the little blue thing you see) that goes on the nozzle. It can get caught on the paper gasket and get stuck up there like this pic below. If it does, simply retrieve it by grabbing it or remove the paper gasket carefully by sliding downward and then put the paper gasket back, unless you plan on pulling the jets as described below.

Then since you're in there... check your jets if for nothing else so you know what you have in there..

Intermidiate jet

Main jet

From Gas above pics"Just be carefull to watch for the little o-ring (the little blue thing you see) that goes on the nozzle"
The reason I posted this I have been having trouble getting bike to idle smooth.The handle bars vibrate all over the place. I have mutipule time started at base per s&s to set up carb. I have 117 and stock air cleaner and V&H 2 into 2. I have 31 int and 76 main. Just wondered if this little blue o-ring has somthing to do with it not idle smooth. This is the first time I have dropped the bowl to change the jets and o-ring was not present. I orered o-ring and a few carb replacement items. Side note my plug are black running rich.

 

[MyDogPete]

I have the same problem with the overflow gas leak. I pulled the fuel bowl off and everything looked good but I cleaned it out anyway. I still have the leak. Any other ideas?

Had my carb on and off five times for gas overflowing out the overflow
Tube. Installed 2 new kits. Never could get it to stop. Finally put a $40 in-line fuel filter in and my problem has been solved so far. Been almost five months now. No vapor locks or any hesitation when twisting the throttle back so all happy here.

 

[francoblay1]

From Gas above pics"Just be carefull to watch for the little o-ring (the little blue thing you see) that goes on the nozzle"
The reason I posted this I have been having trouble getting bike to idle smooth.The handle bars vibrate all over the place. I have mutipule time started at base per s&s to set up carb. I have 117 and stock air cleaner and V&H 2 into 2. I have 31 int and 76 main. Just wondered if this little blue o-ring has somthing to do with it not idle smooth. This is the first time I have dropped the bowl to change the jets and o-ring was not present. I orered o-ring and a few carb replacement items. Side note my plug are black running rich.

Hey, just curious.... any updates? Have you sorted it out?

 

[phatchopper300]

Hey, just curious.... any updates? Have you sorted it out?

I believe when I installed the little blue o ring it has helped with having rich running spark plugs plugs are not running rich anymore. Nobody chimed in and can help explain what the enjector nozzle (bottom of float bowl) and little blue o ring do. I also noticed I have bettter idle and quicker response on the throttle. I wish I could be more clear on what fixed the issue.

 

[francoblay1]

I believe when I installed the little blue o ring it has helped with having rich running spark plugs plugs are not running rich anymore. Nobody chimed in and can help explain what the enjector nozzle (bottom of float bowl) and little blue o ring do. I also noticed I have bettter idle and quicker response on the throttle. I wish I could be more clear on what fixed the issue.

:2thumbs:

 

[rodsoriano2000]

My 2004 bulldog started leaking (streaming) fuel from the vent line statically and with it running. Had to turn the fuel off at red lights to avoid puddling. I Followed "MyDogPete" and installed a filter and it stopped leaking. During my test run, the engine shut off after about 20 miles and no fuel in the filter...would not restart. I thought i ran out of gas, filled her up but only took 2 gallons to fill her back up. Started her up and took her for a 40 mile trip and everything is good so far. I did not disassemble or clean the 'bowl' but just installed the filter (a lot simpler). She's not leaking now even with the fuel on. Can anybody explain why it stopped leaking with just adding a filter? is it safe?

 

[stlmikie]

You may need to adjust your float hight.

My 2004 bulldog started leaking (streaming) fuel from the vent line statically and with it running. Had to turn the fuel off at red lights to avoid puddling. I Followed "MyDogPete" and installed a filter and it stopped leaking. During my test run, the engine shut off after about 20 miles and no fuel in the filter...would not restart. I thought i ran out of gas, filled her up but only took 2 gallons to fill her back up. Started her up and took her for a 40 mile trip and everything is good so far. I did not disassemble or clean the 'bowl' but just installed the filter (a lot simpler). She's not leaking now even with the fuel on. Can anybody explain why it stopped leaking with just adding a filter? is it safe?