I went riding yesterday. This morning I was in the garage and smelled nothing. Went to a movie tonight, came home and the garage smelled like gas. Looked like there was a puddle under the Vforce. The carbs looked dry (no leaks) so I jacked up the front end to look underneath. Gas spilled out of the exhaust. The key was in, but turned off. The other red switch was on. Apparantly the fuel pump filled the exhaust but I have no idea why or how.

Any suggestions on what to do and how to prevent this. It's really scary. I plan on changing the oil, washing the air filter, and removing (draining) the pipes before I start it. Anything else?

Also the fuel switch has an "on" and "pri" setting. I dont know what pri means, but it is set to on. Maybe it should be set to pri or something.

I cant imagine what would have happened if I had started it. Maybe a nice flame thrower effect.

Thanks for your help.

 

Sounds like the P650 choke return spring problem. If the fuel enrichener (choke) sticks on a little bit, or the inlet needle sticks open, and pressure has built up in the tank (putting a cold machine into a warm garage will cause the gas to expand), the fuel will pour through the carb and into the cylinder. The quick fix is to always put the fuel petcock in the "off" position when your machine is shut off.
Tip the machine up on it's end to get most of the gas out of the pipe, change the oil and you should be good to go. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Except our Vs dont have an off position on the petcock.

Kevin

 

Bummer. Does the owners manual recommend a position to leave the valve set at when hauling on a trailer, etc.? That might be the equivilent of "off".

 

My manual says to always leave it in the on position[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

it does seem like a bad situation, I wonder why Kawi decided not to put a shut off switch on the gas, when they've had "that" problem with the Prairies ??? & they are essentually the same system...

I would highly reccommend Stabil, or equivilent, gas additive, & only purchaseing the best gas & using only good gas cans... anything in the needles & seats & as you can see, pressure from the tank, can fill your engine... I always use Stabil in my small engines, as I don't know how long the gas in the cans may be sitting around... I have an '02 Prairie ( the ones that are supposed to have a problem ), I have never shut off my gas, haven't had the choke springs replaced, & have never had a problem, related to gas flowwing into my engine...

I did have a problem, with a gas tank machining scrap of plastic, working it's way into one of my main jets... since then, I have installed a cheap see-through, inline gas filter, $2.00 insurance to insure that nothing gets to my needles or main jets again...

 

I havent changed the oil yet, but the dipstick sure smells like gas. Now I'm gonna be tempted to smell the dipstick every time before I start the engine. I thought the pump must have done this, but I guess it could just be thermal expansion. I'll call the dealership and ask if they know what the "pri" setting means. If it means off, I could just turn it off whenever I'm done riding. Maybe turning the idle screw down would have helped, or loosening the gas cap to de-pressurise.

There must have been over 4 oz of gas in the pipe, and about that much in the oil too. Enough to be dangerous. Thanks for suggestions. I should have it up and running as soon as I buy oil and filter. I hope.

 

if you smell gas in the oil, you have gas in the oil and there are only two ways for it to get there. through the needle valve or through the fuel enrichner ( choke) . its more then likely the choke, and if it happened once it will happen again or still worse it will leak into your oil a little at a time washing down your cylinders. this is a big problem so be prepared to cure it. this is one of the original problems with the kawi but don't expect a recall.

 

That exact same thing happened to me yesterday. I have no idea why, the only thing I did differently is installed a front bumper. Lifted and dropped quad a few times from said front bumper. Went back out to garage a couple hours later; same gas puddle under quad. I drained the pipe, removed silencer and drained, and went to sand lake today. Everything seemed to be fine. If anyone does know why gas would drain into pipe; PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!

 

to the best of my knowledge, the gas tank, at times, builds enough pressure that gas seeps by the needle valves...the reasons could be many... a particle or varnish in the needle valve, could be enough to allow pressure built up in the tank, from temperature changes, or ??? to force gas through the system...

the gas tank vent system, is complex, as it has a one way valve, & is reastricted... to assist in starting ???... some of the guys with the "problem Prairies", have removed the valves, etc. on the tank vent tube... this has been said to cure this problem, however is reported to make 1st start up, more difficult ( as the system has to build up pressure )...

a better fix, would be to do as I listed in my previous post, & start & keep using a gas line additive ( such as Stabil )... it will prevent & or dissolve any deposits in the needle valves... then if a good quality fuel line filter, is used, IMO, you won't have this problem, I never have had this problem, so I believe it has worked for me...