cleaning the carbs, need help

[fred1diver]

ok, so I cleaned the bowl, changed the jets, the float needle but I still can't get the bike to run, so now I'm in the process of disassembling the carbs separately, need info as to where I need to pay close attention to the cleaning, any tips and tricks would be very appreciated

[SilverDave]

Here is a place to start :

http://www.randakksblog.com/the-single- ... #more-5060

[SilverDave]

I have always "had mine done" since I don't own a 4-barrel manometer for doing the final balance ....
but from my friends with 1100's and 1200's who have done it :

The commonest errors are
- not checking / cleaning each and every tiny tiny hole completely ( there are several )
-setting floats absolutely correctly before re-assembly
- using either Randaaks kits or OEM parts ... not any other aftermarket junk .
- careful 4-carb balancing after its all back in the bike

Good Luck

SilverDave

[fred1diver]

ok, so I made a vibrator cleaning bath, I wish I could have an ultrasonic cleaner, but...

so far I left a single carb in there for almost 30 minutes, I wanted to let is longer but my plastic "bath" melted from the vibration and heat, so I went to the dollar store and found some stainless bowls, it's raining now but as soon as the rain stops I'll try it out, but so far the half of the carb that was in sea foam is really clean, or at the least looks really clean, it's going to be lon doing one carb at a time but if it works, I was quoted starting at 450$ to clean them from a local shop.

[Charlie1Horse]

Are you sure it is a fuel related problem? If so have you checked to be sure your fuel pump is getting fuel to the carbs? Possibly a bad pump or a collapsed fuel hose to the carbs. Ethanol fuel will eat up the inside layer of the hose and cause it to collapse.Float levels set properly? Unlikely you would get them all off enough to not run but, just a thought.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those whoa re doing it.

[fred1diver]

I checked my fuel pump and she cycles as should be, the fuel filter is new, when I leave the bike alone for a while it will start up but lacks fuel, when I drained the fuel bowls they weren't all full, the bike has been sitting still for a bit over 4 years and the PO hadn't emptied the carbs and tank, so I did a primary cleaning of the bowls, changed the jets, but I didn't want to play with the pilot screws before, but now I see I need to change them as well (already have them on hand).

after about 30 minutes in the vibrating sea foam there is a lot of crud in the pot, so I know it helped, one carb done, 3 to go, just nervous about putting it back together, not sure about the right amount of turns needed on the new pilot screw

for now the carb is still in sea foam for the night, I'll give it another 30 minutes tomorrow morning on the vibrating pad (sander).
then on to rebuilding that carb before taking the other apart.

[fred1diver]

the fourth carb is almost done cleaning, now to re-build it then it's installation time, I'm crossing my fingers that everything will be ok

[SilverDave]

Be sure to spray carb cleaner down each and every tiny jet and tiny hole, and finish each " hole " with a blast of compressed air and a strong light visual-look-see into each ...

after 4 years there could be all sorts of hidden varnish lurking in out of the way places ..

Good luck

SilverDave

[fred1diver]

the carbs are re-assembled, just waiting on some screws to finish the job and re-install them on the bike

[fred1diver]

got the screws this morning, re-installed the carbs, it does the same thing than before, if I let it sit for a while (gives time for the fuel to go in the carbs) it starts but then dies.
I already changed the fuel filter, but I wonder if the varnish in the tank is flaking off and clogging the filter? the bike has been sitting for over 4 years, I did drain the tank and added sea foam to the tank.

or it could be the pump that doesn't feed enough fuel to the carbs, I'll start with the filter this weekend and go from there, gone replace the fuel line from the tank to the filter at the same time.


if I'm missing anything let me know, any help will be appreciated

[SilverDave]

There is , in your manual both a pressure test and a volume per minute test for a fuel pump "

viewtopic.php?t=1019

simple to do, especially if it appears to be starving ...

and , if you are gutsy, and can ignore the profanity, there are those who have " Rebuilt " a 1200 fuel pump.... mostly fixed the pump points ...



   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!


good luck

SilverDave

[fred1diver]

Quick question, as I was reading on the net to try and find answers to my problems ( I'm at work and can't play on the bike) I read something about a gas tank vent, everytime I open my gas cap it seems to have a vacuum built up, is there a vent that is supposed to prevent this?

[fred1diver]

finally got home, tried running the bike without the gas cap, but doesn't seem to make a difference

[fred1diver]

Still at work, now I'm wondering if he problem might be that the bike is flooded, how can I tell if it's flooded or just lacking in gas, I'll have the weekend to play on her and figure it out, I'll be replacing the fuel lines to be sure they aren't just clogged up at the same time

[fred1diver]

just replaced the fuel lines, it's a first for me, the guy sold me clear lines, I asked him if they were fuel lines and he assured me they were, now I need to get some new hoses clamps, this afternoon I'll test the pump to see if it works or not.

[fred1diver]

So the pump works fine, guess I missed something in the carbs Nor sure what to do now

[fred1diver]

any alternative to sea foam to clean the carbs?, I need 3 cans to fill my tub to clean with the sander, it's getting expensive, I'm at a loss, I left each carb soak and vibrate in sea foam for over an hour each, and it still gives me problems, granted the bike has been sitting for over 4 years

[jimmyschow]

I have rebuilt a few sets of carbs, know nothing of homemade ultrasonics. I do know you can buy a large enough unit to get your carbs in from ebay. That being said, along the solution line, i have used simple green in my unit and also a commercial soap from Omegaclean. It was not as cheap as simple green but did clean fairly well. One of the things i would recommend doing is using water to unsure that all of your passageways are open. I use a waterpik flosser with the smallest opening. I shot it though all of the passageways unit they flow freely, then use compressed air to dry it right away. Last time i did mine i put the carbs back on, filled them with gas and bike started right up. Hope this helps. feel free to pm if you need something answered.

[fred1diver]

thanks, I found a guy who offers the ultrasonic cleaning service for 20$/carb, might look into that direction, cheeper than buying the gear, I'll get in touch with him and let you know the results

[fred1diver]

the carbs are leaving tomorrow to get ultrasonically cleaned, hope it solves my problems

[fred1diver]

I'm getting ready to go pick up the carbs, I have my fingers crossed my problems will be solved, then once installed and when the machine is running, all I'll have left to do is change the compressor and switches then it's off for the safety check, hopefully by wednesday she'll be on the road

[fred1diver]

just got back from picking them up, they look nice, now I misplaced the sheet with the pilot screw adjustments, any general guideline in re-installing them?

[jimmyschow]

My Honda service manual says 2 1/4 turns.

[fred1diver]

ok, thanks, the pilots have been adjusted, but now I can't get the carbs back on the air box
I can't get the dowels to line up, I can get 3 of the lined up but the carb is askew and doesn't want to line up, any suggestions?

[jimmyschow]

Those dowel pins should be loose in the airbox and in the carb body as well. They are only used for alignment purposes. It sounds as though you need to revisit the positioning of the other carb on that side.