So, last weekend I bought this 04 GSF that was sitting for some time, and got it running after working on it for a day and running some sea foam through it.  Well, today I'm riding to lunch when it acts like it's running out of gas, then dies when I pull in the clutch.  I get it started back up, but the dang thing wont idle.  I have to rev it up to keep it running (choke) and if I pull in the clutch it dies.  I finally decide to ride on to see if I can get it home.  About 3/4 of a mile later, as I'm riding, it starts bucking like its running out of fuel. Finally it dies.  I keep trying to start it, but now am smelling gas like I had flooded it.  So, I call friends for help and let it sit while they head my way.  Once they get to my location we decide to mess with it a bit to try to get it started up.  Finally we do, but notice that the thing is puking fuel out a tube under the seat (I'm assuming this is some kind of carb over flow tube, but havent had time to check it out).  Shortly thereafter, it died because it wouldnt idle.  I then trailered it home and went back to work.  

So, basically I am getting ready to pull this thing apart and get my detective hat on to try to figure out the problem.  I have a group ride scheduled for this weekend, so I REALLY want to get this running.

Can anyone help give me an idea of what I need to do, or look for, based on this information?

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

(not a pro)

check float height and the needle.  if it's excessively worn it may not work correctly. also check for sticking floats by tapping the carb?
also try checking the plugs to see how they look. not sure of the link but there are some posted in the forum that are picture aids of what different looking spark plugs mean.  the condition of the plugs will help determine what you may need to do to your carbs.


not sure what else.. good luck!

The fuel will be coming from the Airbox. Whent The Carbs over flow, it flows into the airbox housing and out an overflow pipe.

Sounds to me like your floats are out of calibration / worn out. As you rode you may have cleaned out dirt that was actually helping the float vavle to seal.

Before ripping into the bike do the quick float valve check using a clear pipe attached to the drain of each carb. Hold the other end up and lossen the drain screw.

You want the level to be the same as the gasket between the float bowl and carb body.

I'm thinking that it will be much higher than the gasket, and hense your problem.

Quote from: pandymai on May 04, 2010, 12:27:52 PM
(not a pro)

check float height and the needle.  if it's excessively worn it may not work correctly. also check for sticking floats by tapping the carb?
also try checking the plugs to see how they look. not sure of the link but there are some posted in the forum that are picture aids of what different looking spark plugs mean.  the condition of the plugs will help determine what you may need to do to your carbs.


not sure what else.. good luck!

Thanks bro. I'll tap the carbs and give the plugs a look to see if they're fouled.

QuoteBefore ripping into the bike do the quick float valve check using a clear pipe attached to the drain of each carb. Hold the other end up and lossen the drain screw.

You want the level to be the same as the gasket between the float bowl and carb body.

I'm thinking that it will be much higher than the gasket, and hense your problem.

This sounds interesting.  Can you give a little more info on this procedure, i.e. the steps, what I'm looking for, what it means?  Is there a thread out there that already has this info? 

I appreciate your help.

http://www.gstwin.com/float_height_check.htm
for the float height check. quick and easy.

Quote from: pandymai on May 04, 2010, 12:53:23 PM
http://www.gstwin.com/float_height_check.htm
for the float height check. quick and easy.

Thanks bro

So, I got home and did the float check.  Didnt take long to get a result on that one.  Just after I put it on prime, fuel started flowing out of the carb breather tube (where it was coming out before.  Time to take off the carbs I guess.  Here are pics of that process:











Now that I have the carbs off, is there a pictoral help on how to clean them anywhere?  I appreciate all help!

Upon further inspection, it looks like the plastic peice between the carb and the electronics for the throttle positioning sensor is broken.  Does anyone know if this would cause the carbs to pour fuel out of the breather tube if that plastic peice were broken?  I'll try to find a schematic with that piece so people will know for sure what I'm talking about.

EDIT: Part number 13550-13D60 if that helps.  Do I have to buy the whole sensor just to get that plastic piece??  I hope not.

How do I get the password to open this link on the wiki for the carb rebuild?

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Maintenance.RebuildCarbs?action=edit

Thanks.

http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

here you go friend. there are others i think as well. i'll post them if i find them.

Quote from: pandymai on May 05, 2010, 08:31:50 AM
http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

here you go friend. there are others i think as well. i'll post them if i find them.

I really do appreciate that.

New update:

Looks like the tabs on the float bowls were bent just enough to keep the floats open all the time, and thus too much gas in the carbs.  This is likely why it was spilling out the vent tube.  I have now adjusted the tabs so the floats have more room to operate, and should close with much less gas in the bowl, stopping the flow of fuel, and allowing the carb to process it before spewing it onto the concrete.  I am going to install the carbs when I get home from work and hopefully I'll be able to ride the bike to work tomorrow!

The only thing I am concerned with at this point is whether that broken plastic peice that goes between the TPS and the carb will create a problem in getting it all back together.  If anyone can chime in on that, I would really appreciate it!

Dave

Quote from: OilSooner on May 05, 2010, 11:47:04 AM
New update:

Looks like the tabs on the float bowls were bent just enough to keep the floats open all the time, and thus too much gas in the carbs.  This is likely why it was spilling out the vent tube.  I have now adjusted the tabs so the floats have more room to operate, and should close with much less gas in the bowl, stopping the flow of fuel, and allowing the carb to process it before spewing it onto the concrete.  I am going to install the carbs when I get home from work and hopefully I'll be able to ride the bike to work tomorrow!

The only thing I am concerned with at this point is whether that broken plastic peice that goes between the TPS and the carb will create a problem in getting it all back together.  If anyone can chime in on that, I would really appreciate it!

Dave

that's cool. i hope it solves your troubles. i'd say do the quick check again once you get fuel flowing through the carbs again. couldnt hurt to double check.  happy riding!

and sorry i got nothing on the tps sensor bit. i have an 89 and dont think mine has one. haha

Quote from: pandymai on May 05, 2010, 12:31:06 PM
that's cool. i hope it solves your troubles. i'd say do the quick check again once you get fuel flowing through the carbs again. couldnt hurt to double check.  happy riding!

and sorry i got nothing on the tps sensor bit. i have an 89 and dont think mine has one. haha

I appreciate your input.  I'll do another float height check before I crank it up, and PRAY that it comes out good!  

If not, I'll be tearing it apart again!  

you don't have to put it on the bike to check the float height.  just use a small jug to act as a temporary gas tank.  that way you dont have to take tha carbs back off if they arent right

Quote from: OilSooner on May 05, 2010, 06:16:52 AM
How do I get the password to open this link on the wiki for the carb rebuild?

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Maintenance.RebuildCarbs?action=edit

Thanks.

There isn't a wiki on rebuilding carbs at this time.  When you see a red link in a wiki, it means it is a stub, or just a placeholder for a section that will be produced later.   Now, once you get yours rebuilt, you can produce that section!  The password is found in this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46173.0

Well, I got it put back together.  I didnt document the process well enough for the wiki, but that sounds like something I may be interested in doing later.  As far as the bike, it is still not running right.  It is no longer spewing fuel out of the vent tube, but it did stall twice when I pulled in the clutch to come to a stop on the test ride.  Current things I am going to check on include:

1) am I warming the bike up correctly?  Its a new bike, so I cant be sure.
2) is the fuel coming out so fast that its spilling over into the plugs, and putting out the spark?
3) are the spark plugs any good?
4) is the choke cable stuck or getting hung up?

Its a tiring process.  Thats for sure.