ugh...continued carb problems!

[CWilliamson]

ugh

so...I'm sitting here...had two projects on my plate today. sync the carbs and bleed the brakes.

Bleed brakes...bought speed bleeder syringe thing. Master cylinder just pushes fluid through, no air. When I squeeze the lever only a little fluid comes out. Connect the lines bleed and bleed and bleed. Never develop any pressure at the lever. Tried the vacuum bleeder and the old fashioned method. Only get fluid, no air. tapped all the banjo bolts, no more air. The master cylinder is missing the rubber boot where the lever meets the piston. Am I sucking air through there? Could that be my problem? Do I need to buy a rebuild kit?

Last time I worked on the bike I finally got it to idle at about 1500rpms. Started it up tonight...with choke idling at 2k. Starts warming up, turn off choke...4K removed the throttle cable and it didn't change. Turned the idle knob(feels like it is free spooling now)...no change. I turned in the plot needles until they soft stopped and then turned the out a half turn (thinking then it would only idle if the choke was on) nope, still at 4k. I just can't seem to get it below 4k now

I've sat here and drank 2 Twilight ales and have started on the third. Normally after 2 beers I have relaxed to the point where the answer comes to me...no such luck...

Any suggestions?

Clark

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Clarke,

I merged this thread with your previous so "we" could see and follow some of the work you have already done. It's best to keep posting in the same thread so we don't keep recommending the same thing to try when we can't remember what you've already tried!!

Amongst your posts, you have never mentioned that you PRESYNCHED your carbs?? Just messing with the pilot screws wont' do it, IF they are way out of synch! There are many ways to presynch them, using the breadstick tie, or visually by using the 3 little pinholes in the top of the carb body where the butterflies open, you can adjust the synch screws to place the edge of the butterflies in the same position on each carb. Start with #3, and then the others. IF you can't get #3 to just barely cover the first hole closest to where the butterflies are closed, then the others may be adjusted too far not allowing #3 to close. The runaway idle is most likely in the synch situation since you have the throttle screw all the way out! Sorry, but you need to pull them back off and readjust/presynch them.

While you've got them off, did you ever remove the intake manifolds? The mating surface rubber may be cracked and allowing a vacuum leak?? There have been recent posts about how to fix this, either thru replacing the manifolds $$$, or putting gaskets or sealant on them. Other vacuum leaks could also cause your problems, like butterfly shaft seals for one!
T.C.

[yamarider]

Well Clark, you have really opened a can of worms here! Have much experience with carbs? What is your time worth? You may want to just bite the bullet and take 'er in to the shop and let the pros handle this. Keep in mind that they have a plethora of carb experience and the required tools to properly sync those four devils!!

[John]

If you do go to a shop with them, don't go to the dealer! Locate an independent shop with some older guys working there. They will know how to set up the carbs. The kids wrenching at the dealership won't have a clue about carbs that are older than they are.

[CWilliamson]

yep, bread tie pre-synced

I started out with a xs850 in '99 and completely rebuilt it from the ground up (first bike, had a sabatical from work coming. What better way to spend 4 weeks? :-)

I printed out and ran through all the carb tech tips already. I bought a carb sync tool but with it idling at 4k I've been afraid to use them. I also noticed that cylinder #2 doesn't start up with the rest. I'm out of time so I'm going to have to bring it into a shop. None of the dealerships will touch it because it is so old (not that I would want them to) but there are a couple independents that specialize in older Japanese bikes so I'll get a quote and bring it to one of them. I hate to do it but we are moving in a couple weeks and there is no time left for tinkering.

Clark

[CWilliamson]

also

My house is at 7018ft elevation (bike has been in colorado springs it's whole life) and I failed to check what size jets are in the carbs...ahhh...that's it! I got carb #1 from Diveray...he's at sea level and I'm way up...I cleaned the jets that were in it and put them back instead of swapping the originals out from my old carb...

What y'all think? Plausable?

[CWilliamson]

resurecting this...

On this our 21st day in the month of June in the 2007th year of our lord the mightly Ratzilla was given spark and fuel. It's starter churned furiously again
and again...fuel flowed from its tank like amber ale and still she would not ingite.

After many mighty kicks and starter presses the beast's mighty heart quivered and with the throttle held wide open her heart roared to life and she lived again!!!!

sigh...now I'm back where I was just before moving to Denver...but this time I have the parts and the time.


So close...

A whole year since I last worked on her...got a garage again. Wish me luck because I have the whole weekend to work on her...plenty of time for a triple clean of the carbs, rebuild the front master cylinder and tune her up right?

Clark

[scott0757]

I believe the left side cover lock is there so people can't steal the tool kit or battery it covers. Not likely they'll steal fuses or rear brake fluid from under the right side!

Good luck and clean those carbs, especially the float bowl enrichment pilot! Cost me several carb bank removals...something you'll grow to hate iif you don't already.

Also run some Sea Foam gas treatment to continue to clean out the carb jets.