XR400 carb problem

[cdo1uk]

only just got the bike... its a 2002 XR400R, went out for a ride today for the first time, and got 10 miles or so and it started to run bad, like running out or petrol. I put it on reserve but it kept doing it... i pulled over and look down... petrol pooring out of the over flow pipe so i turned off the fuel and tapped the carb to see if it was a sticky float... no.... got home by relay, had the carb off and everything looks fine, no sticky float, no blocked jets... im stummped.... Any ideas please?

thanks

[catteeclan]

Can only be the float valve. Maybe had a bit of muck stuck in it? or it needs replacing. The rubber on the end goes hard in time and doesn't seal as it should.

[Lumiya]

Get a carb repair kit for it and also give it a good spray out with carb cleaner and then compressed air.

Also check the state of the tank (unless it's GRP/Plastic) as it could be rust or something else in the petrol...If it is then get an inline filter until you can sort it out with a replacement or petseal

[taggkent]

I had a similar one with my xr250, except the other way around, rather than overflowing, the bowl wasnt filling up properly.
After much playin about with the carb, i noticed that the pin that the float hinges on, wasnt securely fastened and was free to slide out of position one way or the other then jam the float in the float bowl.
Of course when i took the carb off, it had slidden back into place so i didnt notice!
I fixed the problem simply by squeezing the metal tabs on the float that are supposed to retain the pin.

You may have a similar problem judging from the way the problem comes and goes

[cdo1uk]

I had a similar one with my xr250, except the other way around, rather than overflowing, the bowl wasnt filling up properly.
After much playin about with the carb, i noticed that the pin that the float hinges on, wasnt securely fastened and was free to slide out of position one way or the other then jam the float in the float bowl.
Of course when i took the carb off, it had slidden back into place so i didnt notice!
I fixed the problem simply by squeezing the metal tabs on the float that are supposed to retain the pin.

You may have a similar problem judging from the way the problem comes and goes

will keep an eye out for this, thanks

[catteeclan]

I had a similar one with my xr250, except the other way around, rather than overflowing, the bowl wasnt filling up properly.
After much playin about with the carb, i noticed that the pin that the float hinges on, wasnt securely fastened and was free to slide out of position one way or the other then jam the float in the float bowl.
Of course when i took the carb off, it had slidden back into place so i didnt notice!
I fixed the problem simply by squeezing the metal tabs on the float that are supposed to retain the pin.

You may have a similar problem judging from the way the problem comes and goes

If your carb is the same as my XLs and Domi, the pin can't shift out of place once the float bowl is refitted.