My poor girl sat for many months, victim of a number of personal issues, and when I tried to fire her up she resisted.
Here's what I know:
- I can get her to fire up and run on all three - briefly - by spraying starting fluid into the intake horn
- She will NOT idle, and is difficult to keep running (and could not be ridden)
- I know (from my IR thermometer) that one of three is not firing reliably, the other two seem 'normal' looking at header temp.
I'm thinking perhaps a carburetor problem; but I'm not the best mechanic, and I'm open to suggestions otherwise.
So...
Hoping for some wisdom from the collective on how to approach (and correct) this issue!
Thanks in advance.
you got a ethanol induced gummed up carb or two
go get some sea foam at auto zone
add about a 1/3 of a can to at least a half tank of gas
turn on petcock
let it sit overnight
get it to start
keep speed over 2000 rpm with choke , dont touch throttle
let it run till good and warm
go for a 20- 40 mile ride keep making it work coming off idle as much as you can (you may need to keep the choke on to start the ride )
if the sea foam is gonna do it you'll feel things smarten up at around 10-15 miles
if it's really gummed up you need to pull the carbs and clean all the jets out
I'll give that a try; but I did have Sta-Bil Ethanol treatment in the fuel when she was parked (it's a habit). I suppose it certainly could be gummed up carbs; but I do hope not. :BangHead
trust me it is ...................... :nod
;)
If I don't have a bottle of Seafoam in my bike shed, I'll go out and get one tomorrow and give it a try!
It took a week and several start/run cycles; but today she not only started without the help of starting fluid, she finally settled into a normal idle and the throttle response is returning to normal. Lots of smoke (from the SeaFoam), so I added a couple of gallons of premium and let her idle until the temp guage began to rise.
Tomorrow I'll take her out and give her a bit more 'pipe cleaning'; but I think the problem is solved. Thanks lads!
:icon_cool:
Keep us posted. I love it when it's the "simplest solution is usually the one that works" kind of scenario.
Ethanol = spawn of the devil.
She's certainly not ready for prime time - yet. Took her out today for a quick 'rideability' check. She got me back; but it was a bit of a struggle (keep in mind I have a very steep hill up from the highway to where I live). WFO was something of a waste, as there really wasn't any power. She didn't want to rev much past about 5k, and when I got back she wasn't idling normal any longer. I stopped and she quit running; but fired right back up with a tiny bit of throttle.
Still convinced it's just a matter of clearing the crud out of the carbs, I just have to be patient (which I can be).
:D
Had similar problems, and blocked idle jets in the carbs. Even Seafoam didn't solve issues, but stripping the carbs, and leaving the jets to soak in carb cleaner did the trick.
Its a problem with modern petrol, which depending where you are in the World might contain up to 15% ethanol, which reduces the shelf life. Plus it attacks the brass and alloy in the carbs, and also the Nylon 6 the tank is made form :icon_evil:
I've read that some manufacturers don't put the ethanol in until it leaves the refinery,incase it damages the tankers!!
I've read that too. Its menace Ethanol, and not sure what the best course of action is long term to protect the bike.
She sat for a couple of days, with other projects on my plate. Put the key in, pulled the choke on, one touch on the starter and she fired right up! Idle is fine, throttle response perfect.
Just one more ride test and she should be good to go!
Quote from: FoothillRyder on May 01, 2015, 06:38:32 PM
She sat for a couple of days, with other projects on my plate. Put the key in, pulled the choke on, one touch on the starter and she fired right up! Idle is fine, throttle response perfect.
Just one more ride test and she should be good to go!
yep that's typical Sea Foam results :eusa_clap
IMO Seafoam ranks up there with cable ties and post-it notes as one of the most useful things ever created.....
Hi there! I got the similar problem ont my 98' Tiger. I'm from Sweden and I do'nt understand what seafoam is?
Does she start now?
Yours
Nick.
http://seafoamsales.com/
(http://www.ipdusa.com/uploads/images_products_slideshow/fullsize_5993.jpg)
Quote from: Tallbrick on May 17, 2015, 10:04:24 PM
Hi there! I got the similar problem ont my 98' Tiger. I'm from Sweden and I do'nt understand what seafoam is?
Does she start now?
Yours
Nick.
Seafoam is a US product, I've never found any in stock in the UK so Sweden might be the same. The nearest we have is a German made product called Profi Fuel Max (http://www.profi-products.de/en/products/profi-fuel-max/) so you can probably get that in Sweden.
I get my Seafoam from Ebay.uk
I tried the Profi Fuel Max, nowhere near as good as Seafoam in my opinion.
Quote from: rf9rider on May 17, 2015, 10:31:04 PM
I get my Seafoam from Ebay.uk
I tried the Profi Fuel Max, nowhere near as good as Seafoam in my opinion.
:icon_scratch: time to look again, thanks.
Seafoam is on sale at NAPA Auto Parts in Nelson, BC, at the moment: buy 2 get one free! :icon_wink: :icon_wink: :icon_wink:
Just for you Sin...............
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Vehicle-Parts-Accessories-/131090/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=seafoam
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEA-FOAM-SPRAY-Engine-Motor-Cleaner-Ports-Piston-Valves-Catalytic-Converter-/351244572526?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51c7ced76e
Egads. It's only $16 here!!!! And on sale for less, sometimes.
Quote from: rf9rider on May 18, 2015, 02:23:01 AM
Just for you Sin...............
Cheers Mate, don't know why it didn't come up before, might have been something to do with where I was when searching :BangHead Handy link for others too :thumbsup
Or how about less than £9 a can...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3X-SEA-FOAM-Engine-Treatment-Fuel-Stabiliser-Lubrication-Diesel-Petrol-Motor/351244572524?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Da8586bf32de54446a3a74e62a2029aa1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D351244572526&rt=nc
Or for those with fewer bikes :icon_wink: ...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-AMERICAN-SEAFOAM-TWIN-PACK-2-Motor-Treatment-from-the-USA/281658416627?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Da8586bf32de54446a3a74e62a2029aa1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D351244572526&rt=nc
I looked on ebay in Feb and it wasn't available then :icon_scratch: only Profi-fuel, which is good and did the trick.
I've used Profi Fuel and it seems to work, but my can of Seafoam arrived today. just under £14 seems a bit steep, but that included free delivery by DPD and it can't be cheap to import from the USA.
Is the trick with Seafoam to add it as an additive to the tank or to soak the carb parts in it?
Cheers,
Dan
Quote from: Danwarb on May 20, 2015, 04:39:37 PM
Is the trick with Seafoam to add it as an additive to the tank or to soak the carb parts in it?
Cheers,
Dan
Pour it in the tank when you do a fill-up. One can is good for quite a lot of fuel so you do not need to use it all in one go. Repeat as necessary.
You can also add some to your crankcase oil prior to an oil change , run the engine to warm it up and then drain it. Supposed to help clean out the crud.
I sprung for a 4 pack which makes it quite good value with the free delivery.
Me too, two going to France at the end of the week.
Anyone know if Seafoam have a use by date?
Don't think so. If it does, maybe you have to put Seafoam into it to stabilize it. :ImaPoser
No use by date on the can so your good to go
Quote from: John Stenhouse on May 29, 2015, 10:39:22 AM
No use by date on the can so your good to go
Nothing on my cans other than a batch number either.
Cheers fellas, looks like a batch of 4 then.
As my bike doesn't seem to suffer as much as some peoples, I didn't wanna end up with a load that gets binned.
Quote from: GavD on May 29, 2015, 05:33:40 PM
Cheers fellas, looks like a batch of 4 then.
As my bike doesn't seem to suffer as much as some peoples, I didn't wanna end up with a load that gets binned.
if you are running on ethanol blended fuel , it hurts nothing to use an ounce or so every fill up . it restores the lost volatility of the corn squeezin's that's added
as well as greatly reduces the ethanol's ability to attract moisture . :nod
Oh, I didn't realise people added it regularly, I thought it was just to blow the crud out.
Should be here by wednesday according to fleabay, so I'll pop some in wed eve.
Any recommendations for how much per tankful of petrol?
Quote from: GavD on May 29, 2015, 07:40:46 PM
Any recommendations for how much per tankful of petrol?
Per Mustang: if you are running on ethanol blended fuel , it hurts nothing to use an ounce or so every fill up . it restores the lost volatility of the corn squeezin's that's added
Thats about 30 ml I think?
Cheers JD, :thumbsup
it's been a long week, couldn't be bothered to work it out myself!! :BangHead
Quote from: GavD on May 29, 2015, 07:40:46 PM
Oh, I didn't realise people added it regularly, I thought it was just to blow the crud out.
Should be here by wednesday according to fleabay, so I'll pop some in wed eve.
Any recommendations for how much per tankful of petrol?
you won't notice
anything if everything is fine and dandy .
regular use helps keep it clean when tigger has to drink ethanol
and even though you can use it all the time , myself just runs a tankful or two or three of the mix thru in the spring time
after that they get run enough all summer to not bother. as it is expensive stuff
I thought more than 30 ml would needed for 25L of fuel :icon_scratch: or is that enough to 'maintain' it, as opposed to half a can to clear/clean the carbs.
Having said that - I'm comparing it with Profi Fuel Max, as Thats all I've used.
Quote from: Mustang on May 29, 2015, 08:57:12 PM
you won't notice anything if everything is fine and dandy .
regular use helps keep it clean when tigger has to drink ethanol
and even though you can use it all the time , myself just runs a tankful or two or three of the mix thru in the spring time
after that they get run enough all summer to not bother. as it is expensive stuff
:icon_salut: Thank you Sir, I've used some Profi Fuel Max I had lying around this spring on the first couple of tanks of fuel. Seems to be running well at the moment. I'll start with the Seafoam over the winter.
Quote from: JayDub on May 29, 2015, 09:21:26 PM
I thought more than 30 ml would needed for 25L of fuel :icon_scratch: or is that enough to 'maintain' it,
Yup, just to 'maintain' you only need a little.
Used half a bottle of Profifuel I had lying around in the Maggot with a gallon of fresh petrol while waiting for the Seafoam to arrive. It cleared it enough to run with a bit of throttle, took it out for a blast and - after about 5 miles of pops and bangs on overrun and flat spots on acceleration - it cleared and now starts and runs great. Happy enough!!!