GS850 float valves on eBay any experience?

[Guest]

I have a few float valves that have the spring part frozen and I'm working on freeing them up with heat. I saw these on eBay and wonder if anyone has direct experience with this product or vendor. Before I take my propane torch to them, tried my heat gun on one but no joy, any ideas? I've soaked them in Berrymans chem-dip overnight already.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CARBURETOR-FLOAT-NEEDLE-VALVE-SUZUKI-GS1150-GS850-GS-1150-850-GS750-750-700-/321243283982?hash=item4acb97820e:m:m9dA6VeZqvK-53omOGbJt_A&vxp=mtr

Thanks.

[tkent02]

Give it a try and let us know how it works.

[londonboards]

These needle valves have very small springs in them and I replace the whole thing as a matter of course when doing any carb work. Weak springs will cause all sorts of problems.

[steveb922]

Try soaking them in a lubricant - ATF/acetone, light engine oil, molasses etc. Leave them in there as long as you can.

[helmutholderbenz]

I put those in my carbs this past spring and have already had to replace one, the spring got weak. Fighting fuel level problems right now. Where do you get the good stuff?

[jdvorchak]

I put those in my carbs this past spring and have already had to replace one, the spring got weak. Fighting fuel level problems right now. Where do you get the good stuff?

I guess you go to partzilla and buy OEM.


Update I didn't have to use any heat on 3 so far. The overnight soak in Chem-dip got them free then some carb cleaner sprayed on and worked them a little. The 4th is in the dip right now and I'll pull it tomorrow.

I have another set of carbs with frozen springy thingy's (technical term) and chem-dip didn't help them. When I get time I'll pull them and try the heat gun first then the propane torch. I'm afraid that more than a couple of seconds with the propane and even if they freed up I risk taking the springiness out of the springs. That's why I asked about those eBay ones as replacements.

[jdvorchak]

The fourth one just spent 24 hours in the chem-dip and was still frozen. I tried my Harbor Freight heat gun on high for a few seconds on each side. A couple of rounds of heating and testing and it freed up. More carb cleaner and exercise and it seems normal now.

It's 11 deg outside and in my garage it was 22 deg F. I turned on my kerosene "torpedo" and got it up the mid 30's in there but the air was so bad I had to quit working. I didn't want to show up on tonight's news as a victum of carbon monoxide poisoning so I'm done for the day.

[Nessism]

If the spring isn't strong enough to hold up the float I'd replace the needle. Those ebay needles are over priced. I'd look for some K&L needles. http://www.amazon.com/Supply-18-8957...s+float+needle

[helmutholderbenz]

If the spring isn't strong enough to hold up the float I'd replace the needle. Those ebay needles are over priced. I'd look for some K&L needles. http://www.amazon.com/Supply-18-8957...s+float+needle

Thanks for the link Nissism

[jdvorchak]

If the spring isn't strong enough to hold up the float I'd replace the needle. Those ebay needles are over priced. I'd look for some K&L needles. http://www.amazon.com/Supply-18-8957...s+float+needle

Not clear in my mind. Is that $23 for 6 float needles or for each? If for 6 that is the buy of the century!

[Nessism]

Not clear in my mind. Is that $23 for 6 float needles or for each? If for 6 that is the buy of the century!

6 needles.

[eil]

The fourth one just spent 24 hours in the chem-dip and was still frozen. I tried my Harbor Freight heat gun on high for a few seconds on each side. A couple of rounds of heating and testing and it freed up. More carb cleaner and exercise and it seems normal now.

It's 11 deg outside and in my garage it was 22 deg F. I turned on my kerosene "torpedo" and got it up the mid 30's in there but the air was so bad I had to quit working. I didn't want to show up on tonight's news as a victum of carbon monoxide poisoning so I'm done for the day.

If the needle took that much effort to free up, it may be suspect now. Feel free to use them but be prepared to swap them out if there are any carburetion issues.

Always have a CO alarm in the room with you when you're burning something to keep warm. Even if it's vented to the outside. They're $20. Cheap insurance against dying. I have one of those propane heaters that sit on top of the tank and usually run it just long enough to get the temp up to 50 F, the CO alarm hasn't gone off yet. I'm in the process of insulating my garage right now so that I don't have to run it as much to keep reasonably warm.

[jdvorchak]

I do roughly the same thing. I use the kerosene heater to get it up to 45 or 50 then turn it off and turn the electric furnace on. The furnace is too small for the area but it was free!

My plan was to insulate the garage but never got around to it. Then I could probably keep it warm all winter without breaking me.

[jdvorchak]

I dropped by the local Suzuki dealer yesterday to order some parts. Asked about factory needles. $41 each! I passed on that deal. Even the parts guy thought that was a bit high....LOL

I did use the Harbor Freight heat gun on 4 more and they all freed up with PB blaster and heat cycles. Only one of them required two PB/Heat cycles. Put them back in and set float levels. One float was way off and 3 of the enrichener circuits were clogged in the float bowls. This was on another bike I have.