Top Carb Screws Stripped

Sesty

Sesty

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Just got my first bike, it's an 78 xs400E only has 7,500 miles

At running temp the carbs dump fuel... A whole lot of fuel.

Plan was to take carbs apart give them a good cleaning plus new gaskets. I got the carbs off and started at the bowls. Quick spray of WD40 on the screws and the bowls came off no problem. After getting everything out off the bottom I went for the top. Before even attempting to unscrew them, I could tell most were pretty stripped.

What's the best way to get these screws out? I don't have an impact driver but I'm sure I can borrow one.

If I can't get them out, I'll settle for some carb cleaner and a rag then pray that replacing just the rotted bottom gaskets fixes the fuel dump.
 
I would get some PB blaster on those screws and let it sink in for a bit. Then using some vicegrips or the impact wrench twist them off. I would avoid just spraying carb cleaner up in there as it would reek havoc on the slider diaphragms
 
I agree with the vise grips. A good pair with a short stubby end works well. I have had good results removing bolts from old carbs with them:thumbsup:
 

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Thanks i will try to get them out tonight with some vice grips.

i did spray a bit of cleaner on the throttle plate and around it as it was crudded up. I am hoping i didn't do any damage to the diaphragms yet.

Can you purchase the diaphragm separately from the slide? On MikesXS all i see is them together.
 
xschris said:
I agree with the vise grips. A good pair with a short stubby end works well. I have had good results removing bolts from old carbs with them:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That's what I did. I replaced the screws with metric stainless steel screws from the local Ace hardware.
 
Thanks for all the help

I am now worried that carb cleaner is currently eating away the diaphragms as they sit on my bench at home....
 
Thank guys, borrowed my dads vice grips and he had some industrial penetrating spray. After some expletives and some sweat was able to get all of them off.

Now that I have my diaphragms and slides out, what should I use to clean the,? Soap and water? :confused:
 
Thank guys, borrowed my dads vice grips and he had some Kroil penetrating spray. After some expletives and some sweat was able to get all of them off.

Now that I have my diaphragms and slides out, what should I use to clean them? Soap and water? :confused:
 
The diaphragms, soap and water should be fine. Any harsh chemicals will melt them I think. Hold them up againt the light and see if there are any cracks/holes that you can see. If so replace them.
 
Diaphragms look good. i broke the carbs down (besides my needle jet which will not come out) and boiled them in white vinegar (inside :banghead:) and a little water for 15-20. they came out pretty good, I wiped them down with a rag soaked in Carb cleaner and they rather clean.

I did not disassemble the Choke plungers and spring assembly before boiling. I realize now that was probably a bad idea as there is moisture in behind it. Does anyone see any issue with this??

I put a little WD40 on the plungers and propped them open to dry out in the heat today.
 
they are likely to still be alright, but there's no telling for sure until you put them on the bike :)

did you probe through all your passages? that may be even more important than boiling the carbs, as the passages are the spots where dirt causes real problems.
 
willem said:
did you probe through all your passages? that may be even more important than boiling the carbs, as the passages are the spots where dirt causes real problems.
Click to expand...

I have been soaking everything except for the damn needle jets which I cant for the life of me get out. I am going to put some wire through the ports and holes of the other jets when I get home. My pilot jet heads are pretty mangled from removal, so I might just opt for a new set.
 

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