I am new to ATV's so be gentle please.
I have pulled the float bowl off and the float appears to be ok (no holes) along with the float valve but when put back together it still leaks out of the overflow tube. Does this mean the float and float valve should be replaced to correct this problem? The float valve seat looks clean, does the botton of the float valve have a rubber piece on it that causes it to seal? I did not look at it that close. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do own a Honda Service manual but it does not cover the troubleshooting part of this, just looks like a bad float situation to me but wanted more opinions before ordering expensive parts.

 

Its highly unlikely that the float is bad, if after checking the float level, and needle condition it still leaks, try these things. First make sure the float bowl drain screw is clean and tight, remove it and check for debris and the make sure it is not damaged. Then, while you have the float bowl off, there is a small brass tube that sticks up from the bowl, take some very very fine sandpaper, and lightly clean this tube till its nice and shinny, then with a very good light closely inspect it for cracks, I have replaced many many float bowls from this tube being cracked. You didnt mention when this leak occoured, or has it always leaked since you have had it?

 

Thanks for the reply, it has been sitting around for awhile, it belongs to my fiance' and we picked it up from her sisters house and she started riding it again and after a good hard ride the fuel tank started leaking in several places. Replaced that and shortly after that I noticed the fuel leaking out of the overflow tube at the bottom of the float bowl. I will take it apart again and check the brass tube and look for cracks, I appreciate the help, will let you know how it turns out. Thanks again.

 

Forgot to mention this is a 1985 TRX 250 fourtrax, I was amazed at how well the engine runs on this thing. Just needs some TLC to get it back to being safe for her to ride. Will keep you posted as to how this problem works out. Thanks again.

 

After reading your reply, I am going to assume if the fuel tank has rusted out, that there is trash in the carb, so when you disassemble, be sure to clean the fuel line and inlet to the carb, then put a fuel filter in the line. On a tank that has rusted that bad... you will have to have a filter.

 

Thanks again, I will do that as soon as I can get back to working on it again. I hate when making a living gets in the way of the fun projects! Will keep you up to date on my progress. Will I have to take the carb apart and clean out everything or just check the overflow tube and make sure the bowl is clean and install the filter? Thanks again for all the help, this site and it's people are great!!!

 

With the condition of the tank you describe, yes, it would be advisable to clean the whole thing, fuel line included (inside of course..haha) then install the filter. You should be good to go.

 

just had my recon in for the same thing cost me about 120.00 from the dealer to get carb cleaned also tank cleaned and new float etc all okay now i dont know much about messing with the carb so it was a fair price . my leak is gone all ok .