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Unacceptable gas mileage

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Anonymous

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I got my bike for free, so I couldn't really complain about how it runs (once I got it running). However, I've done a lot to it recently, and I'm wondering what the next step is.

It was idling really high, and it was suggested that I replace the boots and O-Rings. I did that yesterday (except for one boot that wouldn't come off, but I replaced 3 boots and all the o-rings). I'm still not getting the mileage I think I should. I'm getting around 30 mpg right now. Still double that of my minivan, but not as good as it could be.

What do I need to do? How do I do it?
 
I am having the same issue right now too buddy. Only mine is more like 24 MPG. It is most likely carb related. I will say this whether it relates to your fuel economy issues or not. If your boots and boot o-rings needed replacing and you didn?t get one of them then it was all for nothing unless you are 100% beyond a shadow of a doubt sure that the one you couldn?t get off doesn?t leak and is sealed tight. If not 100% sure then you must get that boot off and replace the o-ring.

If that is leaking all bets are off. Your 850 once setup right should give you mileage in the high 40?s all day long and even better on the highway.

How detailed was your carb setup work? Are they in sync? Lean, rich?
 
There are other factors too, compression, valves, ignition timing and week coils ect ect .
 
Well it could a combination of things, i would always start with the motor and and eliminate any potential problems there before tearing into carbs.
 
What John is saying is right on. Do you have a compression gauge Brad that you can test with? If not they are under 20 bucks at an auto parts store. Get a good compression test first. If there is a serious problem there it will reveal it. Then move on from there. Also check the voltage going to your coils. It should be giving a good 12.5 volts to both coils evenly. Check grounds to the coils. Make sure they are clean.

Your fuel economy is not tops but isn't that far off. It could be better.
 
Re: Unacceptable gas mileage

bradleydr20 said:
What do I need to do? How do I do it?
Click to expand...

Here is my suggestion. You need to discipline your bike. Tell it its been drinking too much and has been a very bad bike. Has your bike been making runs to the gas station to fill up without you? Sounds like we might have a petrolholic. I suggest GA(Gasoline Anonymous) classes for your motorcycle.


Ok so I didnt help at all. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
 
Hoomgar said:
What John is saying is right on. Do you have a compression gauge Brad that you can test with? If not they are under 20 bucks at an auto parts store. Get a good compression test first. If there is a serious problem there it will reveal it. Then move on from there. Also check the voltage going to your coils. It should be giving a good 12.5 volts to both coils evenly. Check grounds to the coils. Make sure they are clean.

Your fuel economy is not tops but isn't that far off. It could be better.
Click to expand...

I don't have a compression gauge. I probably have a few friends that do, though. Hopefully they will know how to do a compression test...
 
One basic thing that can cause poor fuel consumption, is a filthy air-filter element. For example, when I got my Kat1100, it was thirty-something mpg :( , but then when I changed the air-filter, I immediately got around 50mpg. :D

So, have you changed the air filter element?

Mike.
 
tfb said:
One basic thing that can cause poor fuel consumption, is a filthy air-filter element. For example, when I got my Kat1100, it was thirty-something mpg :( , but then when I changed the air-filter, I immediately got around 50mpg. :D

So, have you changed the air filter element?

Mike.
Click to expand...

Well, I just found out today that I have the wrong size air cleaner in the bike. The guy that gave it to me bought a new one but figured that they were all the same. So, I need a new air cleaner. That may solve a lot. I still probably have carb problems, but we'll see.
 
If I keep the throttle pegged against the stop too much I get mileage in the low 40's. Good thing we have speed limits unlike those lucky Germans. :wink:
 
does not have filter??

does not have filter??

My GS850GL came to me with a metal element in the air box (filter I thought) but there is not spongy material on it. Nothing to clean or oil as I have read. Is there something else that needs on this? Would this running like this effect the gas mileage? thanks
 
The metal thing should have a filter on it. The metal is a frame for the filter. Not haveing a filter may make your engine run lean. This can affect gas milage. It will also cause dirt to enter the carbs and gum things up.
 
cjexotic,

I don't know what the OE air-filter element for the GS850 looks like, but for the Katana 1100 it is a pleated paper/fibre cylinder with metal end-caps, like the one below. These days Suzuki have updated the part, so that now it also comes with an unoiled foam sleeve over the whole thing, which most folks I know just pull off and don't use.

air%20filter.jpg


I assume that the GS850 would have the same kind of setup... but it is an assumption. Take your filter in to a Suzuki dealership and get them to compare it to the correct unit off the shelf, that's the safest bet.

Mike
 
In the 40's!!

In the 40's!!

My '80 GS850G with recently rebuilt carbs that are synced. get only 29 MPG no matter how I ride it commpresion is 150, 155, 160, 140!! :cry:
 
I have 35K on my 850L and get between 35-40 city. My compression is on the low side (120s-110s), so it can't be said that low compression alone can cause bad mileage. My engine idles and runs cleanly throughout the rev range - just lucky - it always has.

A high idle could mean a vacuum leak or bad head gasket or out-of-synch carbs. If you have low compression, it can be lots of things. You need both a compression and vacuum gauge to really diagnose a problem.
 
Shortlid,

There's no way I would be happy with 30mpg -- it's not much better than a car! It's likely running too rich, which is not a harmless state of affairs.

For one thing, it will lead to accelerated wear of the pistons, rings & cylinder sleeves, because the excess fuel actually interferes with the lubrication of the fine oil film that's left behind with each piston stroke.

Also, your engine oil will deteriorate more rapidly with more unburnt fuel residues blowing past the rings into the crankcases, so there will be accelerated wear across the board.

You should be able to get over 40mpg at least, but mpg in the high 40s (eg. 47mpg) can be reasonably expected with GS and GSX Suzukis, with a tuned engine in good condition.

Sometimes it's best to take the guesswork out of things, and get the bike dyno'd to check the air:fuel mixture right through the rev-range. That will tell you where it's chewing the juice.

Mike.
 
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