Flaking intake boots

[Anonymous]

I just pulled the carbs on my 1980 GS850GL (boy, was that easier than pulling the carbs on my 1981 GS550L). The black rubber (?plastic) is peeling off the metal flange that seats against the intake manifold, but the rubber otherwise looks good. Is this acceptable?

Thanks.

[duaneage]

If the boots are not leaking and are not hard they should be OK. Ihave seen boots do this and they wre still OK.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If the rubber is pulling away from the metal THEY NEED to be replaced

[Anonymous]

The rubber is flaking off the metal flange where the bolts go through. The rubber is otherwise intact and pliable with no cracking.

[robinjo]

Why did you take of the carbs in the first place? Was the bike not running well enough? If budget allowes I would replace them, I believe they are about $25 each.

[Anonymous]

I figured it was time to clean the carbs. Found it to hesitate a bit when cold, but ran great when warm.

Looks like I'll replace them.

[robinjo]

Don't forget to replace the o-rings too! And good wrenching to you.

[Poot]

I've got the same thing on mine....the rubber has just started flaking, but there are no cracks.

I suppose I'll have to replace them.....?

[first timer]

YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE BOOTS AND O RINGS BEHIND THEM.

the rubber may look like it is still attached but there are little leaks you can't see and no matter how much silicone you glob on them it will not help.

been there done that.


-ryan

[Anonymous]

Got the o-rings. Will need to get new intake boots. Besides the dealer where can I get them?

[first timer]

go google type in parts fish they has some for pretty good prices

-ryan

[dpep]

I just noticed exactly the same thing on my 850.There appeared to be a little crack around the outside of the bolt hole. I stuck my fingernail in it and flaked a little piece of the coating off. But there are no cracks or flaking down where the boot attaches to the flange. The bike was running fine the last time I rode it. I would not have known there was flaking if I did not have the tank off for another reason. I am not going to replace the boots as long as the bike is running well. You can test it from time to time by spraying the boots while it's running.

If you determine at some point the boots are actually leaking, then they do have to be replaced. They have a serious effect on the way the bike runs.

[Poot]

I just noticed exactly the same thing on my 850.There appeared to be a little crack around the outside of the bolt hole. I stuck my fingernail in it and flaked a little piece of the coating off. But there are no cracks or flaking down where the boot attaches to the flange. The bike was running fine the last time I rode it. I would not have known there was flaking if I did not have the tank off for another reason. I am not going to replace the boots as long as the bike is running well. You can test it from time to time by spraying the boots while it's running.

If you determine at some point the boots are actually leaking, then they do have to be replaced. They have a serious effect on the way the bike runs.

Mine only flaked after i took my bike to a mechanic to get the carbs synchronized. I don't think that they are leaking, but I will spray to check in the spring.

[bwringer]

If the rubber is pulling away from the metal flange at all, then yes, they are leaking. Period. End of story. No matter how hard you wish.

I've also been there, done that.

All kinds of intake boot and o-ring goodness:

http://bwringer.com/gs/intakeorings.html

[AOD]

My original boots are 'flakey' as you describe. They're okay and don't leak air though. I'm not sure what flakes off, it's almost like a paint of sorts...