Carb cleaning while you wait?

[turbodish]

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I don't really object to paying a good mechanic to do the work, but if the Seafoam will help me out then it would be a bit more convenient for me if I could get away with holding out on doing a full cleaning until the 4000 mile/6000 km service (about 1500 more miles) and then getting everything looked at at once.

I use carb cleaner in my tank every spring. It's preventative maintenance that helps me avoid EVER having to open up my carbs for a "full" cleaning.

 

[CruisnGrrl]

Thanks guys. I'll pick up some Seafoam up on my way home from work today and try it in a tank throughout the remainder of the week and see if it helps.

If it doesn't at least significantly improve the issue, I guess I'll be waiting outside Rosey Toes when the doors open on Saturday.

I don't really object to paying a good mechanic to do the work, but if the Seafoam will help me out then it would be a bit more convenient for me if I could get away with holding out on doing a full cleaning until the 4000 mile/6000 km service (about 1500 more miles) and then getting everything looked at at once.

adding seafoam to a full tank isn't as effective, it is the strength of the mix and the time sitting that gives it a chance to do what it needs to do.

 

[infernobuster]

Thanks guys. I'll pick up some Seafoam up on my way home from work today and try it in a tank throughout the remainder of the week and see if it helps.

If it doesn't at least significantly improve the issue, I guess I'll be waiting outside Rosey Toes when the doors open on Saturday.

I don't really object to paying a good mechanic to do the work, but if the Seafoam will help me out then it would be a bit more convenient for me if I could get away with holding out on doing a full cleaning until the 4000 mile/6000 km service (about 1500 more miles) and then getting everything looked at at once.

You and 15 others will be waiting outside Rosey Toes on Saturday ..

Guess you've never been to his shop on a weekend .. lol

 

[unL33T]

I'm still considering doing Seafoam the same way, but am a bit wary of putting it right into my gas. Heard some horror stories of it dislodging rust in the tank and making things worse.

If there is rust in your tank there are some very easy products to take care of that as well. Just remove the tank, drain the fuel, fill with rust remover product, leave for a day, drain, rinse, let dry, reassemble, refill. Or so I've heard.

 

[bombshelter13]

I use carb cleaner in my tank every spring. It's preventative maintenance that helps me avoid EVER having to open up my carbs for a "full" cleaning.

Sounds like it might be a good idea for me to adopt a similar practice. As I just got the bike this season I unfortunately had no control over how the PO winterized it.

 

[bombshelter13]

If there is rust in your tank there are some very easy products to take care of that as well.

Good to know. I don't know if there is rust in my tank, but it's on the bike and full right now so checking isn't super convenient. I'm just being cautious about it in case there is some there, since I don't really know what the inside of my tank looks like yet.

 

[bombshelter13]

You and 15 others will be waiting outside Rosey Toes on Saturday .. Guess you've never been to his shop on a weekend .. lol

Maybe it'd be smarter to get a morning off work and go on a weekday? My work's pretty flexible about when and where I work, so I could probably skip going to the office for a day and do my shift at later than normal hours from home.

 

[joeboo]

Hey guys,

I think my bike's carbs could probably use a cleaning, but my bike is my only vehicle so I can't really afford to leave it at the shop for days at a time. What are my options as far as getting a carb cleaning done without having to leave the bike at the shop? I'd like to ride in, get it done (I'll bring a book or, if permitted, watch) and ride off.

If I can't have this done at a shop I guess I'll have to take a whack at it myself.

Have a seat It'll be about 2 days.

 

[bobjohnson]

Maybe it'd be smarter to get a morning off work and go on a weekday? My work's pretty flexible about when and where I work, so I could probably skip going to the office for a day and do my shift at later than normal hours from home.

Definitely go on a weekday. This is a long weekend and its supposed to be gorgeous, so the lineup of guys wanting tire changes, safeties and "quick fixes" will be loooooonnnngggg.

 

[int15]

adding seafoam to a full tank isn't as effective, it is the strength of the mix and the time sitting that gives it a chance to do what it needs to do.

But wouldn't the mix ratio be the same as a full tank? If you put 1 fl. Oz to 1 gallon of gasoline, whether you do it on half a tank or a full one, the mix should be the same strength, unless I'm missing something (*)

(*) Which is totally possible since I never used SeaFoam before. I just bought my first can today after reading this thread.

 

[jeero]

But wouldn't the mix ratio be the same as a full tank? If you put 1 fl. Oz to 1 gallon of gasoline, whether you do it on half a tank or a full one, the mix should be the same strength, unless I'm missing something (*)

The part you missed is:

this is how i do a seafoam treatment.

ride bike til reserve
add a can of seafoam
ride around a couple more km to ensure seafoam is mixed with the remaining gas and into the fuel system
let bike sit overnight
fire up the bike and smoke the neighbourhood
ride to gas station and add fresh gas

 

[int15]

The part you missed is:

Humh... Way to go dez .

If I understand this correctly, using this method the bulk of the SeaFoam will be in the fuel line/carbs since the rest of the tank will be topped up with fresh gas?

Is there any counter-indications doing this with a GS500F of is this a "universal" method?

Thanks again,
dez

 

[jeero]

Humh... Way to go dez .

If I understand this correctly, using this method the bulk of the SeaFoam will be in the fuel line/carbs since the rest of the tank will be topped up with fresh gas?

Is there any counter-indications doing this with a GS500F of is this a "universal" method?

Thanks again,
dez

I like CruisnGrrl's method better, because it seems a bit more intense. I don't see why this would be damaging to any recently-manufactured motorcycle.

Let's assume the reserve comes on at one gallon of gas.
Instead of having a concentration of 1oz-per-gallon, CruisnGrrl's method has a much higher concentration because she puts a whole can in the remaining gallon, thus providing more of a 5oz-per-gallon ratio. It leaves a more intense concentration on the parts that need to be cleaned and then you blow all that crud away by filling up the gas tank the next day and running it all out until the smoke is gone.

I may do this myself at the end of the season.

 

[turbodish]

I like CruisnGrrl's method better, because it seems a bit more intense. I don't see why this would be damaging to any recently-manufactured motorcycle.

If the bike is equipped with a catalytic converter, you might want to avoid that kind of "flooding".

 

[silverbullet132]

I do what the can recommends, 1/2 in gas 1/2 in the vac line. Works great for me

Could do 1/3 in gas/vac/oil but I'd prefer not to do it into my oil.

 

[madura]

OK, seems like I am cleaning my 1985 Suzuki Madura with Seafoam tonight .... I'll post my results here after couple of tanks.

 

[Eddie06]

I'm gonna resurrect this thread.

How much does a carb clean up usually cost? I called GP bikes in whitby and they charge around 300$ for my bike (yamaha r6 2001). I kind of think that's expensive..

If anything I'll probably just do the Seafoam route or go to Rosey Toes depending on the cost..

 

[RockerGuy]

I'm gonna resurrect this thread.

How much does a carb clean up usually cost? I called GP bikes in whitby and they charge around 300$ for my bike (yamaha r6 2001). I kind of think that's expensive..

If anything I'll probably just do the Seafoam route or go to Rosey Toes depending on the cost..

Try seafoam first. Run at high concentration until you see white smoke. Take a run around the block then let it sit overnight

 

[Jimsun]

You cant seafoam clogged ports. U litterally need to use a string or dip it in carb cleaner

 

[RockerGuy]

He didn't mention clogged ports, but I'm willing to gamble $12 to a problem rather than outright $300.

Simpler solution first

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