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]

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

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]

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

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]

Originally Posted by alantf

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]

Originally Posted by dwh367

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]

Originally Posted by alantf

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]

Originally Posted by northsidegz

... 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.


I'll also use this opportunity to plug my personal favorite:

[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!