How critical is the rear snorkel on the airbox?

[JTGS850GL]

I have a GS1000G engine that I'm trying to sort out before I remove it for a top end rebuild. The problem I'm having seems like classic symptoms of a missing airbox. Won't idle without choke and wont take any throttle input. It originally had pod filters and some strange jetting. Mains were 6 sizes larger and the pilots were 3 sizes larger. I rebuilt the carbs, replaced the jets with stock sized OEM jets and picked up a stock air box. The stock box has been resealed and all the boots are soft and tight. The valves were adjusted as well. Stock exhaust attached. The one thing that is not OEM is that the airbox I received did not have the rubber/plastic rear snorkel that goes up the back of the airbox and it's from a GS1100GL. There is an opening at the back-bottom of the airbox that's about 6 inches long and 1 1/4 inch wide that the snorkel normally goes into. Any ideas on how much this would effect throttle response?

[tkent02]

Not much, I've had them missing on a few bikes with no ill consequences that I could tell.
Maybe if it was super lean anyway it could push it a little bit leaner, dunno. I think it's supposed to be more of a muffler than a restriction. Some of them get collapsed and cause too much restriction.

You could always block some of the hole to see for yourself.

[JTGS850GL]

Thanks. I'm running the carbs back through the dip and sonic clean process just to make sure. The engine has a solid 140psi compression cold across the board and the valves were almost all in spec with only a couple that needed to go up one size. I've been able to start the engine on choke. When it does run on choke I hear what sounds like a marble in a can clanking sound near the top end and will not take any throttle or run off of choke. Kind of sounds like a loose screw bouncing around but nothing I see under the valve cover indicates it. The two bolt timing chain tensioner was mounted backwards (spring side facing left of engine toward stator), but I turned it around and reset it.

My plan was to use the engine as a spare after a complete top end rebuild but really was hoping to get a good health assessment before I pulled it out of the frame. Maybe I need to move this to the 4 cylinder engine forum.

[Larry D]

It made a difference on my GK. It just wouldn't run correctly without it. It did take some time, but, I found one and it's been running fine since.

You may try temporarily taping up a portion of the opening to give the air a bit of restriction and see if that helps.

[chuck hahn]

It keeps the air being taken in above the edge of the inner fender and swing arm and out of a lot of the road slop thats whirling around that juncture. Youll get lopts of sand and little stone settling in the bottom of the air box with out it.

But dont worry its just there to act as a shock absorber for the float needles.

[Steve]

The two bolt timing chain tensioner was mounted backwards (spring side facing left of engine toward stator), but I turned it around and reset it.

This is the part that caught my eye.

Every 850 that I have seen has a THREE-bolt tensioner.

.

[JTGS850GL]

But dont worry its just there to act as a shock absorber for the float needles.

You're a piece of work. Or a piece of something.

[JTGS850GL]

This is the part that caught my eye.

Every 850 that I have seen has a THREE-bolt tensioner.

.

Yep, but as I said... this is a GS1000G engine. Not an 850.

[chuck hahn]

Yeah...Ive had the same half a dozen GSs for well over 6 years now and have had everything imaginable to fix or figure out what was broke and the HOWS and WHYs of what said broken part did ( or does )......but I dont know anything.

Stick to your kids Go Cart engine and youll be fine.

[JTGS850GL]

Geeezzz! Now we're comparing credentials? Be careful since you know nothing about my background. Trust me... I've been around the block a few more times then you have on a wide range of mechanicals. GS's are not unique in any respect when it comes to carburetors and their function. If fact I would argue that it's a late comer into the street motorcycle market. Suzuki didn't design the carbs and the same basic design was used my many others LONG before Suzuki or you even used them. 6 years owning GS's Give me a break.. My first GS was in 79 as an original owner that worked on it himself. Am I new? At this forum maybe, but not new to bikes, cars, carbs, fuel injection, turbo charging, electronics...

So you're a genius!!! Congratulations!!! At least in your mind. You get called out on one thing and throw a fit. Guess I'll have to fix your Go Cart for you now. Way to childish for my taste.

[chuck hahn]

Never questioned you credentials...just your ability to diagnose and understand how things function. Bet youd wet your pants trying to figure out how a zipper works.

Wanna throw sarcastic little comments back and forth?? I can do this all night. Wanna rebutal comment on my explanation of why the snorkle goes up like that???? Well of course you do because you know all so much more than anyone else!!!!

I will be following your many post throughout your tenure here as you ask meaningless question after question.

[JTGS850GL]

Fragile egos are so sad. Have fun playing tag with yourself. I'm done talking to a rock.

[JTGS850GL]

Wanna rebutal comment on my explanation of why the snorkle goes up like that???? Well of course you do because you know all so much more than anyone else!!!.

Actually I understand and agree with the usage of the snorkel as you stated it. It's not so much the purpose of the snorkel that I was looking for, just the impact on idle and drivability issues. Interesting how you always look for a fight when there isn't one.

[tkent02]

Rock paper hammer.
Three in one.

[Octain]

Yeah...Ive had the same half a dozen GSs for well over 6 years now and have had everything imaginable to fix or figure out what was broke and the HOWS and WHYs of what said broken part did ( or does )......but I dont know anything.

Stick to your kids Go Cart engine and youll be fine.

Which is why you send carbs off to have someone else clean em claiming you didn't have time. But yet you didn't even have a freaking full time job at the time. Yeah...
6 GS's, quite the accomplishment there Chucky.