Cold cylinder...now hot!!

[chuckycheese]

OK....First of all, I want to thank my helpers Bill (the Chef) Walt, 49er..(we love NZ!!!!!) The Cafe kid, Steve (always offering quality advice) and Nessism (whom I suspect to be a very naughty (fun) boy..but I have no proof).

I removed the #4 float bowl from my cold cylinder..based upon the advice received. I also removed the rubber plug, the pilot jet and the air/mixture screw at the top of the carb. Rather than blowing air along the path, I chose to squirt carb cleaner through the top...over and over and over. It did come through and I put it all together again.

All is well...whether the problem was fixed by what I did is more than I feel qualified to say. As an aside, I would mention that I believe trying to push fine wire through the passages would be a big mistake. The angles are such that even if you could possibly get it through, I don't think there's a chance you would ever be able to pull it out...

Many thanks to all!:-D

Now....how do I get rid of the carbon buildup on my piston that created the high compression in #4????

[Nessism]

Glad to hear the bike is running better.

Not sure about the carbon buildup. I'd run some Seafoam through it for next several tank and give it a chance to work. If the compression issue doesn't correct itself...not sure. I'd most likely pull the head but then I hate things that are not "right".

Good luck.

[TheCafeKid]

Hey Chucky! Glad to hear you're firing on all four...Literally...lol. I dont know that i was really any help in the matter, but thanks for the accolades just the same. Good to hear.

[49er]

Hey Chucky! Glad to hear you're firing on all four...Literally...lol. I dont know that i was really any help in the matter, but thanks for the accolades just the same. Good to hear.

Yeah, great to hear that #4 is on song again.
When I suggested using fine wire to clear the pilot passages, I should have been more specific. I wasn't suggesting that you try and feed it right through the passages, just to pry anything that was blocking the entrance from either end. You then use compressed air to complete the exercise! Many here have soaked their carbs and then used compressed air, only to find that some passages have remained blocked. That's when you need to carefully use the fine wire to help clear those stubborn passages.

After warming up your engine, you can dispense with that carbon by removing your airbox/pods(whichever you are running) and squirting fine sprays of water into #4 carb while holding the revs at 3000-4000rpm.
The water turns into super heated steam and removes the carbon off the piston crown and valves. You should see carbon particles in the exhaust gases coming from the exhaust. If you get too carrried away with the volume of water your engine will start missing. Take it easy. Give this a try for 2-3 minutes, then stop the engine and re-check the condition of your piston through the spark plug hole. It pays to use a portable fan while doing this to avoid overheating a slightly lean engine (as a result of no airbox).
If you're concerned that your engine is running too lean, you can partially cover the carb inlets with masking tape while spraying into that carb.

Give it a go. You might even decide to do all the pots while you're at it.

[chuckycheese]

Thanks, again!

I did exactly as you advised with the wire...I pushed it in where I could but didn't get carried away and really jam it in. I did feel it give way at one point so I'm guessing that was where the crud was.

The water spray idea sounds very interesting...I'll definitely give it a go! I can't remove the air box but I think I can still get the spray in there.

By the way, my wife spent about 9 months backpacking around N.Z. about 5 years ago.....and absolutely loved it!!

Thanks, again, guys! This was an interesting lesson for me because I worked so hard to get my carbs clean...but I missed one little thing. Next time, I'll be more careful.:?

[49er]

By the way, my wife spent about 9 months backpacking around N.Z. about 5 years ago.....and absolutely loved it!!

Thanks, again, guys! This was an interesting lesson for me because I worked so hard to get my carbs clean...but I missed one little thing. Next time, I'll be more careful.:?

9 months is a good amount of time to backpack in a country this size. I bet your wife has seen more of NZ than I have! My wife and I plan to visit the US when I retire. I want to look up some friends and also check out Canada as well.

Good luck with the carbon removal. You can increase the revs to counter any missing that occurs when injecting the water.
Let us know how it goes.

By the way, you're not the only person to have thought they had cleaned their carbs, ask me how I know!!

[spyug]

I'm a big fan of running Seafoam in the tank. It might be my imagination but I think the gas we get these days goes off really quickly and if the bike sits for 3 or 4 weeks the gas goes skanky S,foam stops that. Again, its likely my overactive imagination but I feel the bike runs better on it.

A shot in the tranny also helps keep the sludge out of the passages I'm told. Its good stuff and it can't hurt anything.

Its a shame to clean the carbs and have them get crapped up again so its preventative maintenance in my mind .

Good work on getting things sorted.

Cheers ,
Spyug

[chuckycheese]

Thanks!

You Canadians and NZ boys are a 'good lot'! I got a jug of Seafoam and think I'll just try water and Seafoam both..why not? It should work out fine, I should hope!

49er...As far as N.Z. is concerned, she was accepted for emigration but we're still here, as of now. I also visited for a much shorter time and found nothing but kindness, good fun and a splendid way of life.\\/I, so regret, that it's not more prevalent throughout the world.:?

[49er]

That kindness is sometimes viewed as gulliblity and is often exploited.
I'm sure the world would be a better place with more of it!!

I've never used Seafoam as it's not available down here. The PO of my 1150 did use it before shipping the bike to me. On it's initial start up, the engine missed and smoked until it warmed up. I think the carbs still had a trace of seafoam left in them. The new fuel soon smoothed things out though. Our fuel doesn't seem to cause any problems unless left for 3 months or longer. I run the 850 daily in the summer months and the 1150 every 3-4 weeks.

[TheCafeKid]

That kindness is sometimes viewed as gulliblity and is often exploited.
I'm sure the world would be a better place with more of it!!

I've never used Seafoam as it's not available down here. The PO of my 1150 did use it before shipping the bike to me. On it's initial start up, the engine missed and smoked until it warmed up. I think the carbs still had a trace of seafoam left in them. The new fuel soon smoothed things out though. Our fuel doesn't seem to cause any problems unless left for 3 months or longer. I run the 850 daily in the summer months and the 1150 every 3-4 weeks.

Fortunately for you 49er i think you prolly have less of the Bureaucratic hands in the cookie jar, EPA mongrells filling your gasoline with unstable additives and then taxing the living crap out of you for it. I have had gas turn on me in as little as 3 weeks as well..hell on a lawnmower, much less a bike.

[chef1366]

Glad you got it! I only told you to put Cracker Jacks in the gas tank. :-D