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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Unoriginal1 on June 05, 2011, 12:41:05 PM

Title: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 05, 2011, 12:41:05 PM
  any help would be awesome. here goes, I bought an 89 gs500 a couple of weeks ago and I suspect a stuck float. I have had it apart a couple of times with no luck. the idle hangs around 3k and it leaks gas when its off. i took the carbs off this morning and there was gas pooled in the place that the right carb goes into the engine. what would i need to fix the carbs? I also think the problem might be letting gas into the crankcase, what do you think? would a stuck float cause that?
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: jacob_ns on June 05, 2011, 12:43:13 PM
Stupid question but is your petcock set to Pri? (prime)
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: ben2go on June 05, 2011, 01:19:34 PM
Carb kits http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Suzuki-GS500-GSX1000-Carb-Repair-Kit?sc=12&category=73881

Carb rebuild. http://gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

Check float level. http://gstwin.com/float_height_check.htm

Replace the stock petcock with one from a 2004-07 Honda CRF250X. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=56352.0
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 05, 2011, 02:06:19 PM
petcock is set to "on"
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: JAY W on June 05, 2011, 02:41:36 PM
Yes stuck float would be right.Remove oil filler cap,smell oil for gas if present renew oil.Cheat method for float,tap float bowl with handle of screwdriver whilst revving bike will often unclog dirt in float needle/remove carbs clean float valves,seats check o ring on underside of float valve seat.
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 07:56:03 PM
Well I rebuilt the carbs and the problem is still there. It seems to hang a little higher than before. I may have made alittle progress. I'm close to giving up, I don't know what else to look at? Any help would great. Thanks again.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Big Rich on June 09, 2011, 08:09:54 PM
Well, with the bike off and the petcock "on" there shouldn't be any gas going to the carbs.

On the centerstand and the bike off, turn your petcock to prime. If the carbs overflow it's either your floats or the float needles. The floats may have a leak (therefore sinking), could be some dirt blocking the float needle, float needle is seized (the little spring part), or they could be installed upside down.

Turn the petcock to on and remove the float bowl after draining it. Push up on the float with your finger and turn the petcock to prime again. If gas comes out onto your finger, it's not the float.
Title: Re: stuck float?
Post by: The Buddha on June 09, 2011, 08:22:10 PM
Quote from: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 07:56:03 PM
Well I rebuilt the carbs and the problem is still there. It seems to hang a little higher than before. I may have made alittle progress. I'm close to giving up, I don't know what else to look at? Any help would great. Thanks again.

Idle hover ... what else ... BTW your airbox - still ahve it ? does it have the hoses on the top and bottom intact or are they gone.
What about the wd40 test.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
The air box is still there and I replaced the filter. The bottom hose off of the air box is missing. I didn't even consider that an issue though becuase I thought it was just a drain hose and didn't seal the box.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 10, 2011, 06:33:21 AM
Have also tried the wd-40 test. But I will try it again.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: The Buddha on June 10, 2011, 07:27:48 AM
Quote from: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
The air box is still there and I replaced the filter. The bottom hose off of the air box is missing. I didn't even consider that an issue though becuase I thought it was just a drain hose and didn't seal the box.

That also lets in air ... unfiltered air. Replace the hose or cap that guy off and try it, yea then do wd40 test and heck clean the air filter while you're at it.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: JAY W on June 11, 2011, 08:51:46 AM
Instead of taking your carbs on and off try bench testing them,carefully clamp in a vice and put a small funnel on the fuel pipe to top up.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 11, 2011, 11:24:52 AM
another update... After spraying wd-40 everywhere with no cahnge, I tired carb cleaner. Still nothing. So I turn the synch screw one turn to left because it seemed like the right carb was getting way more fuel. It worked!! No more hanging idle, but it seems like it doesnt have the power it did have. I gotta get these things synced
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: Unoriginal1 on June 14, 2011, 04:58:41 PM
Stupid bike!! I used the five dollar sync. I got em both in line and now the rev is back!!
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: DoD#i on June 16, 2011, 10:32:09 AM
Quote from: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
The air box is still there and I replaced the filter. The bottom hose off of the air box is missing. I didn't even consider that an issue though becuase I thought it was just a drain hose and didn't seal the box.

The stock hose has a "valve" at the end of it (slit rubber cap - water or fuel can leave, but suction pulls it closed.) Without that, it's a way to pull dirt in without involving the air filter.
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: thecdn on June 16, 2011, 11:37:36 AM
Quote from: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
The air box is still there and I replaced the filter. The bottom hose off of the air box is missing. I didn't even consider that an issue though becuase I thought it was just a drain hose and didn't seal the box.

Same here.....   :icon_eek:

Quote
That also lets in air ... unfiltered air. Replace the hose or cap that guy off and try it, yea then do wd40 test and heck clean the air filter while you're at it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Will be capping it when I get home....  :oops:

And I had never heard of the wd-40 test. Looks worthwhile trying.

Then the $5 sync. I have a home made sync tool for my vstrom. Wonder if it will work?
Title: Re: stuck float? UPDATE
Post by: ben2go on June 16, 2011, 12:05:16 PM
Quote from: thecdn on June 16, 2011, 11:37:36 AM
Quote from: Unoriginal1 on June 09, 2011, 08:27:18 PM
The air box is still there and I replaced the filter. The bottom hose off of the air box is missing. I didn't even consider that an issue though becuase I thought it was just a drain hose and didn't seal the box.

Same here.....   :icon_eek:

Quote
That also lets in air ... unfiltered air. Replace the hose or cap that guy off and try it, yea then do wd40 test and heck clean the air filter while you're at it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Will be capping it when I get home....  :oops:

And I had never heard of the wd-40 test. Looks worthwhile trying.

Then the $5 sync. I have a home made sync tool for my vstrom. Wonder if it will work?

If your sync tool will do two cylinders together,then yes,it will work.