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loss of power. Fuel issue suspected ? Gs550e

ukjules

ukjules

Forum Sage
A problem for you guys - loss of power. Fuel issue suspected ? On gs550e 4 cylinder

After fitting a new starter motor the bike has run fine until ran it down to almost reserve and started onto 3 cylinders .
(I am sure it was just 3)

Status at riding:
Very smooth running for 30 miles but then lost power and felt like on 3 cylinders when nearing reserve . Filled up at a garage , no change but got home another 20 miles no probs with loss of power.
Charging system can be assumed ok as I get 14.5v running with handlebar tester.
No kinks in fuel line. Breather pipe on.

- one thing that had changed was I had to take off the fuel filter as broke so running without one for first time in years. This is the only change but was ok before this !!

Test when home:
Check plugs for spark. All good spark
Plug 3 was black !!!!! , the others were fine. This plug 3 being black is new and was not like that before.

Id say at tick over it's smooth it's when throttle up and into max that it feels likes it's on 3 cylinders .(Whatever jets do that work - can't recall )

Do I'm assume :
Off with carbs and check and clean carb 3 jets ? And don't as all know run old bikes with no fuel filter ?

Thoughts would be useful to spare me totally strippi
ng all my carbs ....
 
Gosh just me, I like cheap and easy first. I'd try a new plug in # 3. Sometimes, no clue how, a plug will fire in open air but not when under compression. Hate to remove and clean carbs then find the #3 plug was the problem.
 
I will do that tomorrow change the plug for another OR .....
NO I'll swap that plug for another on bike and see if it transfers.

I think (and I'm sure you do too) this is gonna be dirty jets on 3 due to no fuel filter.
 
P.s - as I have to put on a fuel filter anyway which is easier with carbs out as so tight and dealing with such difficult bends I'll treat as a maybe for now. Until exhausted all easy options.
 
Wouldn't want to change anything on cylinders that are doing fine .. A good used or new plug for # 3. Unless the filter inside the tank has been removed or damaged, I never saw the need for any other filter. Those things are so fine a gnat's butt couldn't get through it.
 
The filter isn't necessary, actually not recommended either especially on gravity flow system. The petcock screen and screens in the carbs should catch any debris. Personally, I've never had one on any of my GS's. Lots do though.
Just sayin.

If you swap plugs instead of replacing, a neat trick I learned from another form member here to clean old plugs without damaging them is to use a torch and heat the electrode till it glows red. This burns off any crud and won't damage plugs works like a wire brush could.

Good luck. Always something with these old bikes...
 
It’s interesting that #3 cylinder on my 1100 started giving me fits, I chased it for darn near a year until I replaced my ignition with a Dyna. End of problem for me, and I had had my carbs off no less than 6 times for full tear down and cleaning. Sooooooo you might consider that as well and do the checks on the pick ups and such.

V
 
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