Yet another 'bike wont start' thread :(

[Guest]

Please help, guys!

So, my bike has been running beautifully. A few days ago, however, it started to bog out, and Id have to give it quite a bit of throttle to get it home.

I talked to 2 friends, who both are familiar with my bike, and they both said the same thing... "It sounds like your carb bowls have gunk in them... "

So, I pull the bottom bowls off, clean out the gunk, and get everything put back together properly. It just will not start

I have an 80 gs850l. Any tips? Suggestions? And yes, I checked the kill switch haha

[DenverChris]

Id like to add, that Ive done this procedure before. It always takes a few to get it running. Maybe because of vacuum or lack of gas, but it always gets going after a bit. Not this time. Also, i put on a new fuel filter, cleaned the (pretty new) plugs, etc...

[Nessism]

You may want to check the Newbie Mistakes thread as linked in my signature to see if anything applies.

[DenverChris]

Hmm. I dont see a signature in your post. Ill dig around for it, though.

Thanks!

[tom203]

Gunk in bowls likely made its way into pilot circuits - also plugged up "choke" passages (there is small hole in each fuel bowl that feeds the enricher circuit). Since this is a recent event, try some Seafoam or equivalent - maybe good luck will find you.

[bwringer]

Yep, all is revealed in the "newbie mistakes" thread.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?171846-Top-10-Newbie-Mistakes

If your GS doesn't spring to life instantly with the lightest momentary kiss of the starter button, something is wrong, maybe several somethings.

If you're regularly getting gunk in the carbs, you need to address that. That's not normal or acceptable just because the bike is old. Maybe the filter on your petcock is missing, so you need a new petcock, and/or you need to clean the tank and line it with POR15. You also shouldn't need a second fuel filter -- these often cause issues with fuel flow, or the fuel line kinks or gets squashed.

[DenverChris]

Some really good advice guys, thanks alot. I read the entire newbie thread. When I get off work Im gonna see what I can do...

As far as the gunk goes, my bike had been sitting a long time before I bought it. There was rust in the tank apparently, so someone coated it. Well, the COATINGA was actually starting to slough off, so I cleaned up the inside of the tank. Apparently not good enough. That coating is a pain to remove. Anyhoo, i thought a 2nd fuel filter, other than the one on my new petcock, might help keep junk outta my carbs...

[Boriqua]

my advice after my experiences is forego the seafoam and just take out the carbs and clean them. The sea foam is good for minor blockage but if you found "gunk" in your bowls I think its to late for that and you will just buy an expensive product that will have minimal effect.

As much as I freagin hate pulling my carbs and fitting everything back together ... I would pull them and give em a good clean.

I would also drain my tank and flush it and flush or change my hoses.

[bwringer]

What kind of stuff are you finding in the carbs or in your second filter?

Some sort of chemical mung from the failed lining?

A super-fine rust powder?

[DenverChris]

Update.. I got it running!

I got a screwdriver and turned the knob on my petcock to get it to prime, I believe. At any rate, its running great.

And the above poster is right, pulling the carbs blows. Especially getting the airbox back on. Ugh.

The stuff in my bowls looks like rusty water, or dark reddish tea. I actually DID clean out my tank, as i mentioned above... but obviously not good enough... Thanks for the help guys!

[roeme]

Update.. I got it running!

I got a screwdriver and turned the knob on my petcock to get it to prime, I believe. At any rate, its running great.

And the above poster is right, pulling the carbs blows. Especially getting the airbox back on. Ugh.

The stuff in my bowls looks like rusty water, or dark reddish tea. I actually DID clean out my tank, as i mentioned above... but obviously not good enough... Thanks for the help guys!

Wait wait wait. Screw driver to turn the petcock?!

I don't think we've got the whole story here.

[cowboyup3371]

You must have the dreaded 1980s petcock without the lever. Be sure you don't leave it on prime as gas will get into the engine the wrong way

[DenverChris]

Yes, I have the weird petcock the above poster mentioned. And yes... I turned it back to normal, or whatever youd call it...

But to sum up, my petcock does not have the usual on, off, reserve settings. Its just there. haha You can use a screwdriver to turn it from regular, to prime, Id guess you call it.

I have an 80 GS850L...