In need of a good carburation...

Hi guys...so far I've been able so solve some problems with my bike (xj 700 1985) and keep it in riding conditions but now I have a serious problem with the carbs to the point where I had to remove the air filter and replaced with a thin foam in order the bike can run and not get choked in gas. So by the color of the spark plugs (way black) I'll said that too much gas is coming to the cylinders... Thing is there is not one mechanic I can trust this bike. Other thing is I do not have too many tools and probably not the ones needed for this job. So all the help you may send me must be thinking like if this happened to me on the road (kind of) I'm living in Argentina not close to any mayor city. Any help where to start will be great for me...Thanks.

 

Try some seafoam or STP in the tank run it though( give it a "hot shot" ) leave one gallon in tank run it though , then fill up tank and see if it help. Try pulling plugs and cleaning check before and after .

 

What a seafoam is and what it do? that's the brand name? there is any other known brand that i may able to find in my location? Thanks

 

What good could it be if I built a homemade sync tool for the xj engine?

 

Seafoam is a brand of carb cleaner you dump it into the fuel tank that simple, sometimes it can clear up a rough running engine. As to your question on the carb synch tool go for it . either use 4 vacuum gauges or the bottle synch method it is possible your out on the synch. Other possibility you need to rebuild the carbs, and adjust the valves, unfortunately your bike (XJ700) is water cooled the shims are under the bucket so after you take valve measurement you will have to determine which valves need shims changed. This WILL require the cams to be removed to swap shims, you will need a manual , and search this forum it can be done .

 

The xj 700 is not water cooler...at least not mine. How can I do to know in advance if a have a problem with the carbs out of sync or the valves?

 

He won't be able to get Seafoam easily in Argentina. A bit of Naptha will do.

The XJ700/750 X is the water cooled one, and was (to my knowledge) not sold in South America.

 

You will have to check valve clearances, and either do a running synch with a vacuum gauge or manometer, or remove the carbs for inspection and cleaning (which really should be done anyway).

 

take a look at the choke and choke cable.

 

how is that u joint holding up for you?

 

Choke cable is pretty good. K-moe, the model X got here, saw one on sale on the net... I'm not savy in this bike specially but I don't think seafoam or any carb cleaner could help. Three years ago my ex mechanic did check the valves clarence and cleaned and synced the carbs...so I think it's needed again but this time I want to do it. I checked the manual and is not a big help for this it does not even mention what screws you should turn once you're carburating...(and that's important...I don't know the screws to turn!!)

 

It really sounds like you have a sticking float. Any kind of fuel additive that is labeled to help clean injectors or carburetors may solve your issue. Pour some in the tank and run a full tank through it, fill it up and do it again. That may be all that is needed to clean the little varnish that may be present, causing the float needle to stick.

 

Thanks DrewUth, let's start for the easy thing to do, let's give it a try to the carb cleaner...

 

Always start with the easy/simple things first!

 

I've always had good results with SeaFoam. However, my local Kawasaki dealer told me about a Mercury outboard additive Quickleen. He said his local Mercury dealer no longer tears apart carburetors, just runs a "strong" mixture of this product through a batch of gas overnight. I use about 1/2 ounce every tankful and it seems to do even better than SeaFoam. However, it is not a gas "saver" product.

All I can say is that between Seafoam and Quickleen , my XJ550 was given new life last year (that a and a few other maintenance items, but it took care of my carbs).

 

Let's try it...I'll buy it today...

 

One thing...If I use seafoam like product in the gas tank could that chemical loose some rust that I may have in the tank and take it to cloak the carbs? I have a filter right off the gas valve underneath the tank and that may prevent the problem, right?

 

The fuel filter will save you. But I think the fuel system cleaner is more likely to loosen fuel deposits (which could be nearly as dense as rust in extreme situations) than rust.

 

that's what I was thinking...I'll buy a couple of filters...

 

Keep in mind no gas additive is a miracle. If the carbs are fundamentally in need of cleaning or rebuilding, it may not do much, or may only help so much.

As the original owner, I know how mine has been cared for, and can attest that Seafoam and Quickleen eliminated some sputtering and hesitation due to varnished/aging carbs.

 

You are right...that's why I didn't think to use it at first...and never used it before but willing to try just in case of what I think the bike need is what it is...

 

Thanks again.