Mostly there is 2 type of ATVs on the market. Those are carbureted and fuel injected. These two types of engines use different technologies. Mostly this problem comes to carbureted ATVs. Your ATV can leak gas when the carburetor float is stuck, or fuel jets get clogged in most cases.
What are the most common reasons for gas leaks on your ATV?
- The Carburetor jet needle and o-ring going wrong or not getting tightened
- The carburetor float stuck in the open position or not working properly
- Float height changed
- Carburetor gasket damaged
- The fuel tank vent is clogged
Gas is highly flammable, so you should fix it immediately when your ATV leaks gas. You know the engine has a spark plug, and it makes sparks. So when your ATV leaks gas, what if some spark comes out? So in this article, I will explain all scenarios about why your ATV is leaking gas, how to troubleshoot it and how to fix it step by step. Keep reading manual riders!
Why does your ATV smell like gas?
Your ATV can have a gas leak. If you smell like gas around your ATV and make some strange sound from the engine, you must check for a gas leak.
Where can the gas leak on ATV? The most common places to check
- Carburetor
- Fuel lines
- Gaskets
- Engine seals
- Fuel system parts
How to Troubleshoot a gas leak on a four-wheeler?
When you check the engine, you can see what the place to reason for the leaking gas is. First, you must clean your ATV engine area because this troubleshooting process is easy when it’s clean. Turn off the fuel from the fuel switch. It stops the fuel flow. Now leave ATV to dry the water. After it, we can start the inspection of the engine.
Get ready for the operation. Turn on the fuel switch and give few minutes. Now your ATV engine area is clean, and you can see which spot is the have leakage. After you turn on the fuel switch, you can see the leak in a few minutes. It does not take long because the fuel tank pressures the fuel to come down. So if there is any leak, it will begin to leak in a few minutes when you turn on the fuel switch.
Start the inspection process with the carburetor. There is an overflow hole in the bottom of the carburetor. Next, Check the fuel switch. Fuel switches can be damaged easily. Next, the fuel bowl, and last, check the fuel lines for any damage or cuts.
Is your ATV leaking gas from the fuel switch?
Some ATVs come with a fuel switch. You can stop fuel flow when you need it. It’s located between the fuel tank and the carburetor. Over time, this fuel switch and valve can be damaged. Check the inflow and outflow fuel lines from the fuel switch. Also, you should check the switch bottom.
Why is your ATV carburetor leaking gas?
Are there leaking gas drops on the bottom of the carburetor? In this case, you should check the drain plug first. Because if it was not fit and tightened correctly to the valve, it can be the reason for the leak. If the drain plug has no issue, it can be the carburetor seal. It would be best if you investigated it now.
What causes the gas pump to overflow on ATV?
There are the most common causes of this situation.
- Is the fuel tank vent clogged or not working correctly
- Carburetor float stuck or damaged
What should you do when the fuel tank vent is clogged?
This vent balances the air pressure inside the tank and keeps the fuel tank cool when riding. So, when the vent is blocked or clogged, Air pressure can build up inside the fuel tank and pressure fuel to the carburetor. In this situation, fuel will leak out of the carb overflow pipe on the carburetor. Now, how to fix when your ATV fuel tank vent is clogged? Easy. Follow the steps. It would be best if you blocked the tank vent manually. You can use a rubber pad or towel. Make sure it blocks the fuel tank vent tightly. Wait for a few minutes. Is the leak stopped? It means the issue is on the ATV fuel gas cap. Clean it, or if it is damaged very badly, you can replace it, and the problem is solved.
What should you do when the carburetor float stuck?
Atv carburetor float is to manage the fuel flow to the carb. Fuel flow through this float to the carburetor bowl. When the float gets stuck in the open position, fuel flow is not controlled as it should be. As a result, fuel will come out from the carb overflow pipe continuously.
Why is the new carburetor leaking gas from the overflow?
In most cases, it happens when the carb float is stuck in the open position. Now, how to fix it? There is an easy thing you should try first. Park your ATV on a flat area before this. Give a little tap with a screwdriver to the carburetor bowl from the back side. It will release the float. You can use a carb cleaner with fuel. It will go through fuel lines and will clean the clogged stuff.
 If it does not work? There is Another way to reposition the float. Shut off the fuel switch. Now, you can give compressed air between 20-100 PSI to the carburetor’s bold drain hole Or intake fuel line. Air will clean the clogged inside and release the float.
 If this not worked? It means you should go deep inside the problem. Get some help from a professional or service center. They will get apart the carb and repair it. The fuel will become sticky when you park your ATV in winter or for a long time. It will be a reason for the float to get stuck. So, in this situation, add a fuel stabilizer to your ATV fuel tank. It will prevent it.
Is your ATV carburetor float height changed?
When carb float height changes, fuel leakage can be a big issue. A carb float can be made of metal in most ATVs, but some ATVs have plastic floats. Float has a needle. This needle controls the fuel flow to the carb. When the carb chamber fills with fuel, the float goes up, and the needle closes the gate. It determines the fuel flow to the carb chamber. The float has a height, and your ATV manufacturer decides it. If that height changes, gas can leak.
Is your ATV leaking gas from the carburetor bowl gasket?
The carb bowl gasket can damage while you disassemble the carburetor or over time. When you identify a leak is happening from the gasket, you should replace it immediately. The Bowl gasket works as a seal between the bowl and housing to prevent the fuel leak. Check and inspect around the carb housing line. Is fuel leaking from the gasket? Let’s fix it.
First, you want to take out carbs from ATV. Remove screws from the housing. Unfortunately, you can’t fix this damaged leaking gasket. You should replace the bad one with a new gasket. Be careful when you reassemble the carb, and ensure not to damage the new gasket.
Is the carburetor needle and o ring going bad and leaking the fuel?
Carburetors have a needle and float. I discuss how this float works in the above paragraph. Now it’s time for the needle. This needle works as a gateway. It works with an O-ring seal to control fuel flow. When the carb bowl gets will float going up. Also, the needle goes up and tightens with the o ring. These two guys work hard when the engine runs. So needle and o ring can go wrong over time. It’s a regular thing.
Always Use quality gas for your ATV
Engines need clean fuels to run smoothly without any issues. But there are a few types of fuels. If fuels come with many dirty particles, it can cause a problem. There is a fuel filter on the ATV, but it can not prevent all dirt particles. Using low-quality gas for a while can damage the carburetor inside parts and fuel lines. Nowadays, all ATVs mostly use plastic for components.
When this dirt particle can clog the fuel pipes, it will damage them. In our problem, dirty fuel can be the main problem. Change the fuel filter and keep in mind to use quality fuel for your ATV.
How to clean an ATV carburetor?
- First, Disconnect the fuel lines from the carb.
- Remove the screws and take out the carb from ATV.
- Remove the screws on the bottom side of the carb. Usually, there are 2 to 4 screws.
- After it, you can see the float and jets inside the carb.
- Now, remove the jets and clean the area.
- Replace jets with screws, make sure jets are not blocked and work smoothly.
- Check the carb floats.
- Clean the floats and make sure they move freely too.
- Clean the bottom part of the carburetor.
- Get back all parts and Rescrew.
- Make sure all screws are nice and tight.
- Connect to ATV and fuel lines.
The bottom line
Suppose your ATV leaks gas, don’t panic like before now. You have a complete guide about “Why is my ATV leaking gas?“, “How to diagnose?” and “How to fix?” step by step. Mainly you want to identify the leaking spot. Also, make sure that is the problem before start fixing. After identifying it, you can easily flow this post and fix your ATV.
Make sure to make the easy points I mention before taking out carbs from the ATV. If you do not know much about engines, please don’t go deep. You can hire or go to a professional to repair your ATV. Always use high-quality fuel for your ATV. It will help you to keep your ATV in the best condition. Try to keep it clean while you park it for a long time. At last, I hope you will find answers to all questions about leaking gas on ATVs. Thanks for reading, and Happy riding manual riders!
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