another gs stalling...stumped...please send help!!

[blueskygal]

First - I PROMISE I have searched and read and even tried the suggestions in most of the gazillion 'stalling' posts!!  I've been riding a year and have put 11K on my 04 gs500f.  I ride with two very experienced guys, but they mostly like to wrench Italian   

Problem - stalling, even when warm, when clutch pulled in, down shifting, off throttle, coming from above 35pmh or higher to a stop light...or even moving off highway to exit ramp.  It's a quiet stall with no kick or sound or smell of gas or smoke. 

History - Bought bike with 300 miles on it last June.  Now has 11K.  Stock except last summer, I did have the Suzuki official modified cam kit put it b/c it was one of those bikes with that knocking issue (could this possibly be related???)

No problems with this sweet thing until April.  Bad battery cell/bike dead.  Did have to jump start it from electric car  to get it home.  That was replaced.

A few days later, after I gased up (I swear it wasn't diesle, but that was the speculation)  - blew white smoke and had a jerky/choking kind a ride. Drained the tank, new gas and seafoam.  Changed the plugs.

In May, went on a 1200 mile round trip (to the Delta - wonderful trip) NO PROBLEMS

BUT for the past month the above problem started...and is progressively getting worse

Attmpted fixes - "serviced" (the quotations indicate sarcasm) for 7500 miles and stalling issue.  They didn't address the stalling issue nor synch carbs but it wasn't stalling for other people riding it (the service guy).  Convinced that I'd gotten into a bad habit of some sort that was making me stall the bike, I rode that weekend - but its not me!

back in to shop - a hose going into the carb was leaking air - CARBS SYNCHED and hose fixed.  Rest of 7500 service done.  VALVES in spec.

Still doing it - I've ridden over hard bumps pre and post this problem, so could it still be the FLOATS??  We adjusted the IDLE upward.  It was resting at 12K, but we've bumped it to 14K and still doing it.  Is it possible that the tachometer reads higher than it's idling?  Cuz if doesn't feel/sound 14...but lower.    FUEL FILTER changed.  AIR FILTER changed.  OIL fine. 

What next?  Where do I go or "guide" the service department into looking? Help?!! 

Thanks!
Carlie

[blueskygal]

No help?  Oh man...this is day number two of my bike in the shop and they have no idea what to do....

I'm starting to have slight palpitations with worry!!

[ballyhoo]

Are you absolutely sure that the fuel petcock on the tank is in its fully open position? If not, fuel starvation can occur.

[starwalt]

I would have them, or you if you are wrench oriented, clean out/replace the entire fuel delivery to the carbs. You may even need to remove the pick-up in the tank and clean it out.

It sounds like fuel starvation of a sorts. I wonder about debris in the fuel pick-up, hoses, vacuum diaphragm, petcock, and hoses to the carbs. That's easier than pulling the carbs off.  Just make sure the hoses go to right places. We've had more than one GSTwinnner pull a tank and get them crossed up.

Was the mysterious fuel purchased at an place you usually don't fuel up?

That incident seems to be a nexus in this tale.

[bullseye]

Carlie,

I ride with Carlie and her husband.

The thing about this is I've watched it happen and it can go for  days and work fine then it just gets worse and worse. My thought, the bike sat for a long time, she bought it last year and only had about 4oo miles on it, thinking she's got some debris somewhere intermittently interupting fuel flow. Checking and changing all the lines seems like a good place to start now after all other things done.

Another thing mentioned in another thread  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36278.0

The carbs may need cleaning.  I too was thinking a float issue.

Chris

[frankieG]

may sound silly but try opening the gas cap and closing it, may be a vacuum problem

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Might check for water in the gas tank... probably look like a dirty "blob" oozing around the bottom.

Use a good quality, sealed flashlight, not a lighter, please.

[CndnMax]

Might check for water in the gas tank... probably look like a dirty "blob" oozing around the bottom.

Use a good quality, sealed flashlight, not a lighter, please.

But i use my trusty zippo for everything, besides whats the worse that could happen . 

[blueskygal]

Well, I've fueled up more than once since this problem, so the gas cap has been opened and closed, so that isn't it (but thanks).

Could this be related in anyway (thinking fuel lines) - before the stalling issue started, I was riding along and the bike felt like it was running out of gas.  Choking and stammering then cut off and coasted.  My trip odometer pin had fallen out so I wasn't being as careful with watching my milage as usual - I assumed I was out of gas, put it on reserve and got to a station.  It wasn't completely low when I filled up - and that was a surprise.

Since then, I can pinpoint that this problem started and is increasing in frequency.


ALSO today - finally - another person rode the bike and experienced it three times.  So it's not just me and that I don't know how to ride....

Thanks for the tips - will look along the fuel lines...
Carlie

[blueskygal]

Cndnmx- last time I used a zippo to look into a fuel tank - I dropped the lighter.

Pretty bright after that!



:laugh:jk - I'd only use a disposable to do that work!

[CndnMax]

Cndnmx- last time I used a zippo to look into a fuel tank - I dropped the lighter.

Pretty bright after that!



:laugh:jk - I'd only use a disposable to do that work!

it would make an ausome fireball though, that is if it doesn't blow the tank 20ft in the air .

[frankieG]

i am having the EXACT same problem so hopefully it can be resolved.  i was thinking of a complete carb rebuild on mine, get the head gaskets changed,  compression check and valve adjust.  but i think it may be just a gummy line problem  huuuhhhhhh gummmy lines

[scratch]

Also, see if it happens with the petcock turned to Prime.  May be a faulty/sticking diaphragm valve.

[frankieG]

i thought prime sent less fuel

[spc]

Not if the vacuum that only allows fuel to flow in the on position when the bike is running has a leak. ie a faulty petcock diaphragm

[blueskygal]

Thanks for the tips, everybody - the bike sits in the shop with a list of all the things mentioned on this thread for the mechanic to check out.  Starting with fuel pet chicken and working to floats then carb. 

There are times when I wish I was a man - usually when I am speaking with mechanics and salesmen.   

Starwalt - I keep going over the the mysterious fuel issue as well - it was a gas station that I don't usually use, and noone else gassed up at the pump I used nor with the grade gas I used either.   But then I think it traces back to the day I had to put it on reserve....

I just want it fixed so I can ride this weekend....I've a new textile/mesh jacket due to arrive today!!!

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Hate to harp on it, but did you look for water in the tank?

Air in the tank cools (usually in the evening, but maybe moving to shade) and water condenses out. It runs to the bottom, and since it's now underneath the gas, it can't evaporate, can't go anywhere. Over time it builds up... and eventually it gets to the point where by sloshing around, rusty water can get in the reserve tube (first), then much later might even get in the primary "on" tube. 

The thought you express that the problem may date from when you had to put it on reserve seems to fit this scenario.

[blueskygal]

Wrecent Wryder - sorry I didn't answer your suggestion - Yes - that was one of the first areas examined when this problem first started - in fact, we drained the tank,  examined interior with a flashlight ( no zippos here  ), put higher oct fuel and seafoam and ran that tank thru.  In the beginning the problem was much more intermittent.  The tank did not appear rusty, but I didn't take it off. 

When the stalling became more frequent, I once again looked at the gas/tank and no problems.   Is there another way to look more efficiently?

I just went up to the shop to check on it - they have the list I dropped off yesterday of you guys' suggestions - and will try to get to it Monday.

Drumming my fingers on the table and pacing the halls....amazing how attached I am to this little bike!!  Thanks for your help!

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Wrecent Wryder - sorry I didn't answer your suggestion - Yes - that was one of the first areas examined when this problem first started - in fact, we drained the tank,  examined interior with a flashlight ( no zippos here  ), put higher oct fuel and seafoam and ran that tank thru.  In the beginning the problem was much more intermittent.  The tank did not appear rusty, but I didn't take it off. 

When the stalling became more frequent, I once again looked at the gas/tank and no problems.   Is there another way to look more efficiently?

I just went up to the shop to check on it - they have the list I dropped off yesterday of you guys' suggestions - and will try to get to it Monday.

Drumming my fingers on the table and pacing the halls....amazing how attached I am to this little bike!!  Thanks for your help!

Not a problem, didn't mean to create an obligation, just hoping it might be something simple.    If it was there in large enough quantity to get into the petcock, I'm sure you would have seen it.

I know what you mean by "attached", it was almost two weeks without riding while I fixed a recent oil leak. First time I really empathized with those who want multiple bikes.

[blueskygal]

Wrecent said -  "I know what you mean by "attached", it was almost two weeks without riding while I fixed a recent oil leak. First time I really empathized with those who want multiple bikes."


Just 30 minutes ago, I went to dinner with DH who has 2 bikes and one of my best friends who has 3 bikes - and I said those very words "I NEED a back up bike"!!!  I hope you got your oil leak fixed!!