Carb Cleaner

[Anonymous]

Hey, I'm brand new to this forum and to GS bikes. My bike wont start when its cold w/o run starting it. I assume its a carb problem as it will not idle until it has been riding for 10 minutes. I heard of carb cleaner that you just spray it into a running engine (through the air intake) and it cleans carbs. it sounds too easy to be true. I was wondering what you had to say about it.

[Anonymous]

Re: Carb Cleaner

Hey, I'm brand new to this forum and to GS bikes. My bike wont start when its cold w/o run starting it. I assume its a carb problem as it will not idle until it has been riding for 10 minutes. I heard of carb cleaner that you just spray it into a running engine (through the air intake) and it cleans carbs. it sounds too easy to be true. I was wondering what you had to say about it.

Welcome to the GSR! I'm sure you're going to love your GS. We all love ours!

Yep - too good to be true. This same carb cleaner you speak of, though, is great for cleaning the varnish and gunk out of the jets and parts once you disassemble the carbs.

Unless jetted for pods, your bike might not run at all without the airbox and filter installed, especially if it already isn't running well.

If you have CV carbs (you didnt mention what year/model bike you have) spraying carb cleaner in the bores could clean the slides if they are sticking, but its unlikely that would do any good in your case.


Your best bet, if mechanically inclined, is to get a service manual and follow the procedures for a carb disassembly and cleaning. It's really not that tough, just pay attention to how things come apart, and try and be careful not to strip the screws, as they're usually in there quite tight.

[Anonymous]

oh, sorry, its a 1982 GS650E. I'm going to open them up a little tmo, to see whats up with them, then decide from there what to do.

[Jeff Tate]

I pour a few ounces of Gumout carb cleaner in my gas every couple of months and a few weeks ago when I took the carbs off to clean them I was surprised by how nice and clean the inside of the float bowls were. I still went ahead and cleaned everything anyway just to be sure. In years past when ever I took off the bowls after an extended time they would be discolored and a little bit of sludge build up. It dosen't hurt to use either the the spray or gas additive occasionally, but it won't substitute for a good teardown.

[Anonymous]

You have to be careful about using carb cleaner, especially the kind that comes in a spray can. It's hand when used right, but it contains some nasty chemicals. Acetone, toluene, MEK, all kinds of stuff. The stuff I have will take the galvanizing off decking nails. It'll also tear the heck out of rubber if you let it. And there are lots of rubber pieces in carbs. So be careful with it.

It also kills spiders very well. :twisted:

Michael

[chuckycheese]

Yes

I TOTALLY agree with Michael. I've even seen bike shops use that stuff but it's probably not a good idea on any kind of regular basis. :roll: