idle problems with 2007 GS500F

[Gcook57]

I am having erratic idle problems with my 2007 GS500F it seems to start okay but as it warms up the Idol starts going way up to about 3500 RPM when it cools off a little bit the idle will drop down to a good 1500 RPM which is just right I've check for vacuum leaks and found none replace the plugs any info would be greatly appreciated

[Gcook57]

 could it be when the carbs get hot and expand that the throttle plates aren't closing all the way I also noticed that the vacuum controller at the bottom of the right carb clicks on and off a lot of times

[Watcher]

The metal in the carbs doesn't even come close to expanding enough to do something like that.

My guess is the choke is stuck or improperly adjusted, and although you turn the choke "off" at the grip it's still technically "on".

[Gcook57]

Thank you for all your help watcher how do you adjust the choke on a 2007 GS500F there doesn't look like any adjustment at the carburetor also if the choke was not adjusted right wouldn't idle high all the time like I said in my post when it cools down it will idle at 1500 RPM but as soon as I start riding it and it gets hot the idle goes up to 3500 RPM

[Endopotential]

I think you would have to remove the carbs to check and adjust that bit.

I have an '07 as well.  The choke cable goes to a metal plate that slides at the front of the carbs.  On mine, that plate was binding regardless of what I was doing with the handlebar choke adjust.
I put some plastic / Delrin washers along that plate to align it better and lubed it up.  Also check that the choke cable itself is not binding within its housing.

[J_Walker]

I think you would have to remove the carbs to check and adjust that bit.

I have an '07 as well.  The choke cable goes to a metal plate that slides at the front of the carbs.  On mine, that plate was binding regardless of what I was doing with the handlebar choke adjust.
I put some plastic / Delrin washers along that plate to align it better and lubed it up.  Also check that the choke cable itself is not binding within its housing.

yeah do this, sometimes the guide screw falls out too, you can actually get on your knees and check it by pushing the slider with your finger, my bikes apart and carbs on the shelf so I cannot get a good reference picture for you today.

[Watcher]

If the choke was not adjusted right wouldn't idle high all the time?

Not necessarily.  But idle increasing as the engine gets hotter is something that the choke will reflect.  That's the indication that you need to turn it down, as the RPMs go up you lower the choke, if you need more RPMs you increase the choke.


In fact, in my Ducati manual it refers to the choke as the "fast idle lever" and describes it as being used to make cold starts easier and set the idle properly until warm.


Make sure you have proper slack in the choke cable (adjusted at the lever) and the choke at the carbs is free functioning, then warm it up and set the idle when warm with the big thumb-screws between the carbs.

[Gcook57]

The weird thing is that when it idles high when the engines at full operating temp 3500 / 4000 rpm if l let it sit for 1/2 hour the engine is still really hot .l will restart it with out touching the choke and it will usually idle at 1500 rpm then when l ride it for about 5 min all of a sudden when l let off the gas it starts idleing at 3/4 k . Maybe the choke slides moving around l will check choke linkage & cable and also make sure the throttle  and return cables are funtioning and adjusted right . When l reinstalled the carbs after cleaning l might have not tightened down the lock nut on the carb cables..but again why would this happen onlly when it reach full operating temp ..l will let you know what l find out ..maybe it might help someone else out..again thanks for all the input everybody

[ajensen]

High idle when hot is a common problem. I cured mine by adjusting the valves and cleaning the carbs.

[Gcook57]

 what is the purpose of the elelectronic vacuum controller located at the bottom of the right carb