Do these boots look bad?

[bigs_gs]

I pulled these boots off my 1980 gs850l that I have had massive hell with. It will not run right at all. I have had the carbs rebuilt and put another engine on it and it still does the same thing as the old engine. It sputters pops and will not rev up and just dies when you try to. I think also my fuel petcock is gone as it spews gas no matter what position the slot is pointing. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Tarbash 27]

If theres no cracks in the boots and there not real stiff, than I say there good. Just have to clean them up a little and they will look good. As long as they seal good then there working fine.

[Redman]

Condition of the boots are one question. Condition of the o-rings is another question. Cant really tell from these pics but seems like the orings are fairly detererated. And at $2 a piece, you can replace them.

The orings leaking (sucking in air) can cause varoius problems.

.

[mark]

I'd say get new ones big time. You can see where the rubber is peeling off the side of the mounting plate or completely gone. The surfaces that mate to the engine don't look that great either. The O-rings obviously need to be replaced.

I can't tell by the photo's but if you look on the inside of the boot and there are any chips at all in the rubber, its definitely time for new ones.

From what I can see................new ones. Those have had their day.

[bigs_gs]

Yeah the area between the mount plate and the rubber itself looks like its about to go. The orings in that groove are flattened and the new ones are only 18 bucks a piece so ill just replace em and see what happens then. But would the boots being bad cause the sputtering and all that?

[GregM.]

Hi,
Lots of experts here, but I'm not one of them :-D

I CAN tell you though, that my intake boots didn't look quite as bad as yours, but they were leaking... or letting air get sucked in. I replaced them. When you do, don't re-use those cheap philips screws - Get stainless steel allen head replacement screws. Way, way better the next time they need to be removed.

And it's gotta help, in some way, your bike run better.

[Pearson]

Hi,
Lots of experts here, but I'm not one of them :-D

I CAN tell you though, that my intake boots didn't look quite as bad as yours, but they were leaking... or letting air get sucked in. I replaced them. When you do, don't re-use those cheap philips screws - Get stainless steel allen head replacement screws. Way, way better the next time they need to be removed.

And it's gotta help, in some way, your bike run better.

Yeah, I agree with GregM. If you've already gone to the trouble of swapping the engine and the problems are following, that suggests carb or other related mixture problems to me. Boots aren't really cheap, but at this point you're probably on borrowed time with them anyway. I vote for new boots and gaskets. That way you'll have peace of mind that it's not the cause and you won't have to worry about them again.

Since you're in for the boots, get a new petcock too. That's some definite upgrades according to many here for about $225 or so.

[bigs_gs]

would a petcock rebuild kit do it instead of replacing the whole thing?

[Dave8338]

would a petcock rebuild kit do it instead of replacing the whole thing?

Don't even waste you time, let alone money. The kits all seem to be junk! I put a kit in mine and all it got me was a wasted evening and a dent in the shop wall. ( I "launched" the thing after the kit failed to fix anything. BUY A NEW ONE!!!

[koolaid_kid]

I have to agree with Dave, mostly (I don't have quite the emotional commitment he shows). I have looked at the kits, and I have decided that when I need to work on the petcock, I will just replace it rather than trying to make the rebuild kits work. A lot less hassle, and it will save your garage wall.

[bigs_gs]

yeah but over 200 bucks i mean damn

[bexabarr]

The orings in that groove are flattened and the new ones are only 18 bucks a piece so ill just replace em and see what happens then.

Is this right guys? I bought mine for a gs550 from the dealer at $2 a piece. I remember seeing them online somewhere for around 1.50 plush shipping. Maybe I misunderstood you or something. Just making sure you don't spend more than they may be worth.

[mark]

But would the boots being bad cause the sputtering and all that?

Absolutely.

[ScottMc1100L]

Is this right guys? I bought mine for a gs550 from the dealer at $2 a piece. I remember seeing them online somewhere for around 1.50 plush shipping. Maybe I misunderstood you or something. Just making sure you don't spend more than they may be worth.

I agree, $18 for an O-ring? Even for a set that would be a little pricey IMHO. $200 for a petcock? Where are you getting these prices?

[Mike_H]

The Boots are 18 bucks or so apiece. The O-rings are around 2 bucks a piece. The petcock is about 60 I think. The 225 is total (4 x 18 = 72 + 4 x 2 = 80 + 60? = 140) Maybe pingle valve are more expensive? It seems as though I have seen new petcocks on EBAY for around 60 bucks. I dunno though, I haven't had to replace mine.