Smart GL1100 Carb guy!!!

imported post

For two months now I've been trying to determine the problem with my #3 cylinder which shows signs of a rich running condition by a black soot covered plug end. I am in need of the opinion of someone who has been into these carbs before. I am trying to avoid having to remove mine. The other three are working great, the bike runs great at all RPMS, has great acceleration, but at idle the rich condition is evident by a strong fuel smell. However, I am still getting 32 MPG consistently. Here are the other signs and symptoms:

1. The bike set up for a few months, I've run 3 tanks of gas with seafoam. The carbs are synched. I've changed out the #3 plug, wire, and cap.

2. The vacuum advance works (I can hear it). A vacuum pump showed a leak. I put 5 in Hg on it and it bled off in 30 secs. After further investigation, there was wet fuel where the vacuum line attaches to the vacuum module. This may be my leak, not the diaphram itself. The gas there leads me to believe the vacuum port on the carb may be pressurized, not sucking. Have you ever seen this?:baffled: Could this somehow be related to the rich #3 carb condition?

3. The only other sign is the right tail pipe end is slightly gold and a wipe with the finger shows black soot.The left side does not have this.

It's looking more and more like the carbs will have to come off, but if that's the case, I am not touching the other 3, they work great. I appreciate any wisdom and words of experience.