82 GS850 Fouling Plugs

[racinma]

OK so "Suzi" was back up running for a short time but then she's fallin ill again. We've gone through 3 sets of plugs in the past several days.. the first set we thought "eh bad plug from the factory", 2nd set "eh maybe another bad plug (it can happen)" 3rd set "no way can this be factory plug problem." It appears as if it's fouling out on the # 2 cylinder... Gaping on plugs is roughly .030 in. give or take a .001... We've checked the coil pack and she's sparking like a big dog though we aren't able to test the voltage coming from it... DH Says it was enough to tingle his you know what (The spark jumped over the rubber part of the glove and into the knit part and got him LOL) Any suggestions to look for or test?

PS. Plugs are B8ES NGK's

[tkent02]

#2 is where the vacuum line to the petcock comes from, if the petcock diaphragm is failing a lot of fuel can run down that line from the petcock into the carburetor and the cylinder. This would make #2 much too rich. To test, disconnect and plug the vacuum line so no air leaks into the carb, run the petcock on PRI and see if it fixes the fouling.

[Big T]

#2 is where the vacuum line to the petcock comes from, if the petcock diaphragm is failing a lot of fuel can run down that line from the petcock into the carburetor and the cylinder. This would make #2 much too rich. To test, disconnect and plug the vacuum line so no air leaks into the carb, run the petcock on PRI and see if it fixes the fouling.

What he says

Time for a new petcock

[Dave8338]

#2 is where the vacuum line to the petcock comes from, if the petcock diaphragm is failing a lot of fuel can run down that line from the petcock into the carburetor and the cylinder. This would make #2 much too rich. To test, disconnect and plug the vacuum line so no air leaks into the carb, run the petcock on PRI and see if it fixes the fouling.

Tri-fecta ! ! !

[racinma]

Okey dokey.. petcock was ordered anyways so now it's just a waiting game til the new petcock gets here then...... Will run the "Other" plugs that aren't fouled until they foul out then wash, rinse repeat til that petcock gets here! Thanks for the thoughts every1

[bwringer]

Okey dokey.. petcock was ordered anyways so now it's just a waiting game til the new petcock gets here then...... Will run the "Other" plugs that aren't fouled until they foul out then wash, rinse repeat til that petcock gets here! Thanks for the thoughts every1

It's safer to disconnect the vacuum line from the petcock, block it off, and use the petcock manually for a few days. Prime=on, on=off.

[Big T]

It's safer to disconnect the vacuum line from the petcock, block it off, and use the petcock manually for a few days. Prime=on, on=off.

Exactly

Go to Napa or similar and get a rubber cap that slips down over the vacuum port on your carb.

That will keep you riding (and confirm the source of your problem)

Less than $1

[racinma]

It's safer to disconnect the vacuum line from the petcock, block it off, and use the petcock manually for a few days. Prime=on, on=off.

This is a tough one to do as the petcock is shot anyways that's why a new one was already ordered prior to the "new Petcock" suggestions... When I say shot that means no matter what position we have the petcock in fuel still flows out not to mention we can't turn the petcock by hand we need to use pliers to turn it *sigh*.. The petcock should be here by friday or saturday sooo the bike will probably just sit for the most part except for maybe a few short rides til it get's here!

[tkent02]

When I say shot that means no matter what position we have the petcock in fuel still flows out

In that case check your oil, it probably has a lot of gasoline in it.

[racinma]

In that case check your oil, it probably has a lot of gasoline in it.

Oil Change is scheduled for this weekend anyways due to previous issue's so that's no biggie either.... Oil does smell of gas however, due to residual gas that was in the motor from the likelihood of a valve that was stuck open from bad jets and a carb that was beyond fubar well ok not completely fubar but definitely needed some HUGE TLC (Had rust sediment in the carbs & Float bowls & a mangled jet) previously it is suspected that's why it smells of gas as the fluid level hasn't changed since the discovery of the carb needing serious attention. Consistency of the oil is still very much heavy compared to what it was prior to oil change last weekend. This bike has only been in our possession for about 3 months now but it had sat for quite awhile before the PO put it out for sale.. Soooo we knew it was going to need TLC when we bought it thankfully we got a sweet deal on it... even after all this we're still going to be around .65 a CC Which makes it worth sticking all this money into the bike heheheheh

[Big T]

Still a good deal on the bike

POS (previous owner syndrome) strikes again, not very badly by comparison to some

[racinma]

Back Up & Running

New Petcock - Check
Oil Changed - Check
New Plugs - Check
Suzi Running in tip top shape - Check
Time Made for Some ride time - Absolutely Check!

Thanks everyone for your input.. all seems to be going well, will know for sure in the next day or two

[racinma]

Just wanted to let everyone know .. YOU GUYS FREAKIN ROCK!!!! Suzi hasn't run this great since we got her!!! Fuel mileage has improved immensely not to mention no more fouled plugs, no spitting or sputtering, no smell of gas from the exhaust... Ahhhhhhhhhh time to enjoy "Suzi" Thanks again everyone

Keep the tires on the road and your knee's in the breeze everyone!!!