Carb float full of fuel

[rscottlow]

I do believe that I've located my problem...

I took the float chambers off the bottom of my carbs, and found that one of the floats is full of fuel. Anyone know how to fix this?

[fetor56]

Buy a new float.

[Big Rich]

Yep. That's the best way to make certain the problem is fixed. You could try finding the hole that's allowing fuel in, and try to seal it, but whatever you use to seal it could either dislodge or weigh down the float.

[rscottlow]

That's what I was afraid the answer would be lol. Thoughts on where to find one?

[Big Rich]

Unless somebody has some good, used ones around you'll be waiting for them to come from Japan. I order from Partzilla.com, but there are a couple places to get OEM parts. If you want a used one asap you can look on ebay and buy from the fastest shipper.

You have late model (GS500F) carbs, correct?

[rscottlow]

Unless somebody has some good, used ones around you'll be waiting for them to come from Japan. I order from Partzilla.com, but there are a couple places to get OEM parts. If you want a used one asap you can look on ebay and buy from the fastest shipper.

You have late model (GS500F) carbs, correct?

Ok thanks. Yes, it's an 09 GS500F

[rscottlow]

And it's not a huge hurry. I want to get riding, but I'm going to spend the time to get it running right first.

The other concern is that it doesn't seem to be getting a spark now. That started after I got the bike, but before I started messing with anything. I checked the old plugs, because it wouldn't start...I figured it was the carb issue. But when I checked the plugs, they aren't sparking. I've checked all the basics, and all the wiring and the fuse looks fine. Maybe ignition coil?

[Big Rich]

It could be..... are you not getting any spark at all? Or just on one side?

[rscottlow]

No spark at all. It started fine the day I bought it, and the next day. I put it in the garage for a few days until I could get plates. I put the license plates on, went to fire it up, and it turns over but no spark at all. I replaced the plugs, even though the old ones looked fine. Still nothing.

I managed to drain the fuel out of the carb float through the tiny leak, and put everything back together until the new float arrives. But it won't start, so that wasn't really worth my time except for familiarizing myself with the bike. 

[rscottlow]

So...all of that being said, I'm sitting at work going over everything in my head and trying to do some more research online. I read on another forum that on some of the newer models they switched over to just one ignition coil. Does anyone know if that the case for my bike? Or are there two? Since I highly doubt that both could go out simultaneously.

[Big Rich]

If there's no spark at all, I'd look further down the electrical system. Probably just a loose wire somewhere - do you have a multimeter?

And yes, there are 2 coils.

[rscottlow]

Hopefully a loose wire is the culprit. I'm itching to get out of work today to do some more investigation. I don't have a multimeter, but I'm picking one up at lunch today. I'm going to have to do some reading to figure out what to look for though, because I've never used a multimeter before. There are a couple of other threads I've found on here that appear as though they'll be helpful with that part. If all else fails, I have a friend that's going to help me try to diagnose the problem on Wednesday or Thursday.

[rscottlow]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=5500.0

^^That's one of the other posts I've been looking at, but unfortunately the links in Kerry's second post are no longer active. I think those would go a long way in helping me to find the problem.

[gsJack]

All years GS have 2 ignition coils and the earlier E models had 2 pickup coils but the later F models had only one.  A problem with the single pickup coil on your F model would affect both cylinders.

[rscottlow]

All years GS have 2 ignition coils and the earlier E models had 2 pickup coils but the later F models had only one.  A problem with the single pickup coil on your F model would affect both cylinders.

Ah, yes. It was the pickup coil that was referenced in the other thread I was reading. I bought a multimeter on my lunch break today, so I'll go home and see if I can narrow things down a bit. I'm holding out hope for an inexpensive fix. The bike was dropped on the right side by the previous owner, and there's some damage on the round Suzuki emblem plate covering the signal generator. But it was running when I bought it, so I wouldn't think that something there is broken...

[rscottlow]

When I check the resistance on the wires coming from the signal generator, they read infinity. I'm thinking that means that there is an issue either with the signal generator or the connection to it? Is that right?

[rscottlow]

Sorry, this may be a stupid question, but the "pickup coil" is the same thing as the "signal generator"? Right? It seems as though I've narrowed it down to this...hopefully it's just a loose wire that I can reconnect after i pull that cover off. Which, I suppose is not surprising as the bike has been dropped on that side, and there is some damage to the Suzuki plate that covers the signal generator. I'll be pulling that off tonight and looking to see if I can determine what's going on inside.

[Big Rich]

Yep, same thing.

[rscottlow]

Good deal, thanks! You've been a huge help! It looks like we've got rain for the next ~10 days straight, but warmer weather is coming. I can't wait to get this all taken care of so I can get out on the road!

I ordered the float from partzilla yesterday morning, and it should be shipped soon. But I was able to seal up the leak when I had the carbs apart...so it's no longer leaking any fuel out of the airbox drain hose. So once this electrical issue is straightened out, we should be good to go! 

[rscottlow]

Quick update:

I had a friend come over with a better multimeter yesterday (I've got the $6 one from Harbor Freight and just can't trust it when it comes to spending money on a replacement part for the GS). We settled on the signal generator as the problem. We checked resistance between the two wires that go to the signal generator, and it's incredibly high (500,000 ohms). The wires are both connected tightly, and there's continuity from one end of each wire to the other. I still don't understand what would cause the signal generator of all things, to go bad, but I ordered one on eBay last night from a company in Tampa that parts out cars and bikes. It should be here early next week - I'll report back once it's installed and (hopefully) running again!