i noticed something blowing out from behind the air cleaner on my 2000 fxdl. once i removed the air cleaner i could see the leak was coming from what looks to be the bottom part of the carburetor in 2 spots. does this look like a simple fix or should i call the mechanic,lol? in other words, is it a simple seal or a carb rebuild? is this a common problem?i have attached a pic of the bottom of the carb.

i also attached a pic of a hose going to the top of the carburetor. can anyone tell me if this hose should have a clamp on it?



thanks in advance

 

I bet you have a accelerator pump diaphram that has a hole in it, as I did two weeks ago. Pull up the rubber boot on the shaft ( pic 1 top arrow ) turn the throttle and see if gas comes out where the boot was. If so and I bet it does, you need a new diaphram. EASY fix, remove the 3 phillips screws from the bottom of the pump housing and the diaphram is in your hand.

No clamp is correct, pic 2.

Fix the diaphram leak then see if all is well after. That oozing gas goes everywhere.

 

Just replace the whole thing with a 42 Mikuni.....you won't believe the difference! Starts better, throttle response is better, idle is better. This is one mod you won't regret.

 

My buddy had a similar problem and was similarly perplexed. I suggested he examine the float in the float bowl. For some reason, the adjustment likes to work itself loose and allow WAY too much gas into the float bowl. Sometimes, vice versa. Sometimes they'll go out of adjustment and your bike will die under load.

A simple adjustment and a cheap gasket later, he was all set.

Blind squirrel, meet acorn. Because that's about all I know, or want to know, about carburetors. Even if you need it rebuilt, it shouldn't be all that bad, cost-wise. Check around. A LOT. Carburetors are not rocket science to a skilled mechanic. I see no reason why an auto mechanic with a good background in carburetors can't do the same rebuild as a motorsickle mechanic.

Follow my advice at your own risk.

 

thanks! great instructions. i took off the pump housing and sure enough, the diaphram is deteriorated badly. i just picked up the new one from harley and i realized that i didn't pay close enough attention when taking the old one off....does the screen face upwards or downwards? i'm about 90% sure it was facing the bottom...

 

sure...got $400 i could borrow?

 

With the old diaphram I had, screen was down. The new diaphram I got was rubber on both sides.

 

that's what i thought. mine does have rubber on each side but you can tell which side has the screen. i got it put back together and it idled fine it's nice to be able to save about $100 worth of labor!!! thanks for your help.

 

LOL....sure just stop by.....large bills or small?

 

Pic 2 is the cable housing for the fuel enrichener cable (choke).