Carb Getting Dirty?

[dwh367]

When I come to a dead stop, the engine stays at an elevated rpm and after several seconds it finally settles down to a normal idle. Also used to get it to start without the choke in 90+ plus weather. Now I have to choke it a little and let it warm up for a bit. Anyone else ever experienced this? I'm am not mechanically inclined but I was thinking maybe the carb needs cleaned? It runs just fine when I'm riding down the road. It's a 2009 model with 9,300 miles on the clock.

[jonathan180iq]

Having to use a little choke, even in warm weather isn't unheard of.

A hanging idle indicates a lean condition, so yes, it's quite possible that you need to run some carb cleaner through there. Something is either binding gas flow or you have an air leak somewhere. You also need to check your vacuum hoses for deterioration and check your air filter to make sure it is sealed properly. (There is really no way that it can loosen itself since it's screwed in, but that's just a good habit to form anyway.) :)

Have you made any changes to the bike lately that could be the cause for this hanging idle?

[alantf]

it's quite possible that you need to run some carb cleaner through there.

With the Gz, it's not just a possibility, it's a necessity to run carb cleaner in the fuel tank. I'm afraid the carb is the achilles heel of the GZ. :)

[dwh367]

Have you made any changes to the bike lately that could be the cause for this hanging idle? Nope. The engine is bone stock. Guess I'll need to have the dealership take a look at things when it's due for service again which will coming up in the near future. Thanks for your input everyone.

[dwh367]

it's quite possible that you need to run some carb cleaner through there. I've always been afraid to run it through too many fill ups for fear of the bike eventually running on carb cleaner only :biggrin:

[jonathan180iq]

I've always been afraid to run it through too many fill ups for fear of the bike eventually running on carb cleaner only :biggrin:

If you measure your additive accurately, that will never be a problem. Just add a little bit at every fill up.
Which brand you use doesn't really matter. But keep a bottle on hand and treat it fairly consistently.

[northsidegz]

With the Gz, it's not just a possibility, it's a necessity to run carb cleaner in the fuel tank. I'm afraid the carb is the achilles heel of the GZ. :)

Good to know! Despite trolling these forums for a while now, I hadn't realized that. O_o

I have used SeaFoam in the past. Haven't tried anything else. Anybody have a product that's worked well for them consistently?

[jonathan180iq]

... Anybody have a product that's worked well for them consistently?

Berryman's B-12 Chemtool is just as effective and 1/3 of the cost of Seafoam.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N3230/large/7040112_bry_0116_pri_larg.jpg

I'll also use this opportunity to plug my personal favorite:
http://i45.tinypic.com/18p4q1.jpg

[bonehead]

I ran B-12 in mine the 4 years that I owned it. In its last days with me as owner, it sat at a repair shop for 4 months. Cranked right up after they FINALLY got done with the repair. I personally won't use anything but B-12.

[northsidegz]

Thanks! :)

[dwh367]

I took in the shop for it's 10,000 mile service and they told me they had it running better a lot better but the carb will probably have to be rebuilt by the time the next service is due. Is it normal for a carb to wear out on this bike at between 10,000 and 13,000 miles?

[alantf]

Is it normal for a carb to wear out on this bike at between 10,000 and 13,000 miles?

No! It probably needs carb cleaner running through it. I noticed in one of your earlier posts that you were a bit scared of using it. Afraid it's a necessity with the GZ. If this doesn't work, the "rebuilding" will, in all probability, be just stripping the carb & manually cleaning it. :)

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like Alantf is on to the right answer. Also keep in mind to use top tier gas only. All top tier gas has a small amount of Techron(cleaner) in it. A lttle added cleaner will do wonders for the carb and keep you happy. Whatever cleaner you use just add according to the instructions and keep on riding.
I had an issue with the Vstrom once when I used a less than wonderful brand of gas. After a few fill ups the FI system was throwing nasty codes. Switched back to Chevron and the bike was happy again.

[dwh367]

I've been riding quite a bit since the dealership worked on it and it seems to be running normally again. On a warm day I can get it to start and idle without the choke but riding requires a little bit of choke applied until the engine is up to temperature, which is normal from what I understand. It's also falling back down to a normal idle when I come to a stop so for me that was money well spent. Evidently the possibility of the carb needing to rebuilt already was a worst case scenario that they wanted to warn me about.

[Water Warrior 2]

Well there you go. A testamonial on how to keep a GZ happy. Ride it.