Removing plastic pieces from the carburetor

[Egaeus]

Is it possible to remove the plastic inserts from the carburetors without damaging them?  There are several holes and crevices in my carbs that I just can't seem to get to, and I'd like to clean them.  However, Suzuki seems to want me to not be able to give the carb a half-hour in some B-12.  Clymer says that there's no way to do it, but Clymer's not always right.

[MarkusN]

apparently it can be done.

[Egaeus]

Interesting.  It looks like there's not much holding it in.  I guess I should just pull!

[MarkusN]

Could be. Mabe it's only the o-ring holding it in.

[Mandres]

Egaeus, I posted a how-to on removing this part (Haynes manuel calls it the 'piston support' I think).  It definitely needs to come out to fully clean the carbs, the o-ring on mine was shredded and useless. 

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=24036.0

I absolutely could not get the piston support out by pushing on it.  Gas had leaked past the o-ring, turned to glue, and locked it in there tight.  I was tired and frustrated and started brainstorming.  Here's what I came up with:



-M

[pandy]

Egaeus, I posted a how-to on removing this part (Haynes manuel calls it the 'piston support' I think). 

Nice write up and pics! Moved to the FAQ section to live on in perpetuity!

I just know there are other carb clean freaks out there....er...I mean fastidious GS'rs! 

[Egaeus]

Egaeus, I posted a how-to on removing this part (Haynes manuel calls it the 'piston support' I think).  It definitely needs to come out to fully clean the carbs, the o-ring on mine was shredded and useless. 

Awesome, Mike, thanks!  I knew that if there was a way to get it in, there was a way to get it out. 

Darn you, Clymer, darn you to heck!  Phil is waiting for your sorry non-forthcoming arse.  I will dip my carb in B-12!

[Egaeus]

Well, it wants to work.  However, I keep breaking the wooden pieces I am using.  I didn't have a dowel laying around, and I rode to Lowes, so I ended up getting some dowel plugs.  You know, the decorative pieces that go over screw and dowel holes in furniture.  Well, they're apparently not very sturdy.  I clamped and glued two together with the grain crossed so that maybe I can get something that works tomorrow. 

[Egaeus]

Do not use this method!  It can break the piston guide!  Ask me how I know.

Pandy, you might remove this from the FAQ. 

[Mandres]

damn man, what happened?  I've used this method on three different sets of carbs now and haven't had a problem.  You did unscrew the main jet before using the puller right?

-M

[Egaeus]

Bad luck?  The emulsion tube was really badly gunked up.  I had to beat on it quite a bit to get it free.

Edit:  Err...strike that.  I retraced my steps more carefully.  It's official.  I'm a dumbass.  I took the main jet out to get the freaking punch in...  Somebody needs to take away my shadetree license...  I just hope the JB Weld will hold it. 

[Mandres]

it's my bad, I really should have mentioned that in the walkthrough.  I can't go back and edit it now either since it's been moved to the FAQ forum.

-Edit  Hey, whaddya know! I've got an extra one you can have.  I'm sending you a PM now...

[Savor]

All I did to remove the piston guide was unscrew the main jet and push out on the piston guides with my barehands. I guess mine weren't stuck to the carbs at all. Were there supposed to be glue on them?

[Egaeus]

The emulsion tubes get gunk built up on them.  I had to use a brass punch to push the emulsion tube out.  It only required my hands to hit it (quite a bit) though, no hammer.