The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


Acquired '87 CBR600 in '89. Religiously nursed. Now with 20k city mi.

Until '06, I left gas in the tank thru cold winter. Sputtered a tiny
bit in the spring, then ran fine.

In '06 I had to go thru the carbs, clean the idle jets. Everything
else looked near flawless.

So I put Stabil in tank last Dec. Now it runs OK above, say, 3k rpm, but
it won't idle.

Any advice other than tear carbs out to clean idle jets again? And
drain the damnable things at end of season?

How'd I get away with leaving gas in tank for 16+ years? I don't
unnerstand.

Sigh,
Puddin'

"Blues starts to rolling ...
stops at my front do'.
I'm gonna change my way of livin' ...
won't have to worry no mo'."
- from "Blues Before Sunrise", Leroy Carr, maybe 1934

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote

> So I put Stabil in tank last Dec. Now it runs OK above, say, 3k rpm, but
> it won't idle.
>

Too much Stabil. The stuff really doesn't make good fuel.
Drain tank and carb(s).
Fresh fuel.
If that makes a marked difference, then run a little "real" carb cleaner
through with the gas......like Gumout or Berryman's B12; not injector
cleaner and not (sorry fans) Seafoam.
Unlike Stabil, you can go a little heavy with the carb cleaner if you feel
the need. It does burn good.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in message
news:GAiCj.986$qT6.537@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>
> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>
>> So I put Stabil in tank last Dec. Now it runs OK above, say, 3k rpm, but
>> it won't idle.
>>
>
> Too much Stabil. The stuff really doesn't make good fuel.
> Drain tank and carb(s).
> Fresh fuel.
> If that makes a marked difference, then run a little "real" carb cleaner
> through with the gas......like Gumout or Berryman's B12; not injector
> cleaner and not (sorry fans) Seafoam.
> Unlike Stabil, you can go a little heavy with the carb cleaner if you feel
> the need. It does burn good.
>
Stabil isn't a cleaner, it just helps the fuel from varnishing. Did you run
the gas through the carbs once you added the Stabil last year? Did you
drain the carbs? My guess is that it will run better once you've put some
carb cleaner through it. I wouldn;t call myself a fan, but I've had good
results with Seafoam but those other brands are fine as well. Personally, I
wouldn't drain the tank, I'd try to run it through as long as it had Stabil
and it hasn;t sat for more than 5 or 6 months. I'd just load it up with carb
cleaner and go for a long ride.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"LJ" <laremoDelete@yahoo,com > wrote
>Personally, I wouldn't drain the tank, I'd try to run it through as long as
>it had Stabil and it hasn;t sat for more than 5 or 6 months. I'd just load
>it up with carb cleaner and go for a long ride.

Apparently you haven't tried to run an engine with too much Stabil in the
gas.
If that is (a significant part of) the problem, then riding through a whole
tank of gas is probably NOT an option.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

On Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:57:29 -0500, "LJ" <laremoDelete@yahoo,com > wrote:

>
>"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in message
>news:GAiCj.986$qT6.537@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>>
>> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>>
>>> So I put Stabil in tank last Dec. Now it runs OK above, say, 3k rpm, but
>>> it won't idle.
>>>
>>
>> Too much Stabil. The stuff really doesn't make good fuel.
>> Drain tank and carb(s).
>> Fresh fuel.
>> If that makes a marked difference, then run a little "real" carb cleaner
>> through with the gas......like Gumout or Berryman's B12; not injector
>> cleaner and not (sorry fans) Seafoam.
>> Unlike Stabil, you can go a little heavy with the carb cleaner if you feel
>> the need. It does burn good.
>>
>Stabil isn't a cleaner, it just helps the fuel from varnishing. Did you run
>the gas through the carbs once you added the Stabil last year?

Yes.

>Did you
>drain the carbs?

No. Didn't think it should be necessary. Know better next time.

>My guess is that it will run better once you've put some
>carb cleaner through it. I wouldn;t call myself a fan, but I've had good
>results with Seafoam but those other brands are fine as well. Personally, I
>wouldn't drain the tank, I'd try to run it through as long as it had Stabil
>and it hasn;t sat for more than 5 or 6 months.

It sat for maybe 10 weeks. Tank with Stabil was about 20% full.
I filled it 100% full with fresh gas a couple days ago.

>I'd just load it up with carb
>cleaner and go for a long ride.

I'll give it a try.

Much thanks.

P

"Blues starts to rolling ...
stops at my front do'.
I'm gonna change my way of livin' ...
won't have to worry no mo'."
- from "Blues Before Sunrise", Leroy Carr, maybe 1934

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote

> It sat for maybe 10 weeks. Tank with Stabil was about 20% full.
> I filled it 100% full with fresh gas a couple days ago.
>

Ah, more data.

For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it during
storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture (water) during
storage.

I repeat my recommendation to drain the tank...........now for a different
reason ! ;-)

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in message
news:bJmCj.17446$0o7.5116@newssvr13.news.prodigy,net ...
>
> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>
>> It sat for maybe 10 weeks. Tank with Stabil was about 20% full.
>> I filled it 100% full with fresh gas a couple days ago.
>>
>
> Ah, more data.
>
> For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it during
> storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture (water)
> during storage.
>
> I repeat my recommendation to drain the tank...........now for a different
> reason ! ;-)
>
>
So basically, your assumption that the Stabil concentration was not a good
one, especially after he filled the tank. You're correct that he should
have filled the tank, but he didn't and Sea Foam will help moisture, I
assume the other brands will as well. If there's rust in the tank, he
should definitely drain it, but ten weeks is hardly a long layover. If he
left gas in the carbs, I pretty sure that's where his problems lie. At
least that's a good place to start.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

OK. So noone is in a position to even guess why this wasn't a problem
for the first 16 years of garaging the bike for winter. Mysteries
abound.

For future reference, if I drain both the tank -and- the float bowls
DRY in the early winter, can I expect that to be "As Good As It Gets"?

Thx,
P

On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:02:51 -0500, "LJ" <laremoDelete@yahoo,com > wrote:

>
>"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in message
>news:bJmCj.17446$0o7.5116@newssvr13.news.prodigy,net ...
>>
>> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>>
>>> It sat for maybe 10 weeks. Tank with Stabil was about 20% full.
>>> I filled it 100% full with fresh gas a couple days ago.
>>>
>>
>> Ah, more data.
>>
>> For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it during
>> storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture (water)
>> during storage.
>>
>> I repeat my recommendation to drain the tank...........now for a different
>> reason ! ;-)
>>
>>
>So basically, your assumption that the Stabil concentration was not a good
>one, especially after he filled the tank. You're correct that he should
>have filled the tank, but he didn't and Sea Foam will help moisture, I
>assume the other brands will as well. If there's rust in the tank, he
>should definitely drain it, but ten weeks is hardly a long layover. If he
>left gas in the carbs, I pretty sure that's where his problems lie. At
>least that's a good place to start.
>

"Blues starts to rolling ...
stops at my front do'.
I'm gonna change my way of livin' ...
won't have to worry no mo'."
- from "Blues Before Sunrise", Leroy Carr, maybe 1934

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

Puddin' Man wrote:
> OK. So noone is in a position to even guess why this wasn't a problem
> for the first 16 years of garaging the bike for winter. Mysteries
> abound.

"." suggested it might have to do fuel components that have changed in
16 years.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote

> For future reference, if I drain both the tank -and- the float bowls
> DRY in the early winter, can I expect that to be "As Good As It Gets"?
>

NO. Pay attention:

>> For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it during
>>> storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture (water)
>>> during storage.
>>>

Drain the bowls, yes. Drain the tank......NO.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in
news:8BRCj.1170$LV5.9@newssvr19.news.prodigy,net :

>
> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>
>> For future reference, if I drain both the tank -and- the float bowls
>> DRY in the early winter, can I expect that to be "As Good As It
>> Gets"?
>>
>
> NO. Pay attention:
>
>>> For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it
>>> during
>>>> storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture
>>>> (water) during storage.
>>>>
>
> Drain the bowls, yes. Drain the tank......NO.
>
>
>
>

If you drain and seal the tank and drain the carbs, that is as good as
it can be. KB

--
THUNDERSNAKE #9

Protect your rights or "Lose" them
The 2nd Admendment guarantees the others

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Kevin" <kevyNOSPAM@netins,net > wrote

> If you drain and seal the tank ............

RIGHT.........even if you could completely seal the tank, which is doubtful,
you would be sealing in a tankful of (usually) damp fall air, to later
condense moisture on the inside of the tank walls.
Oh, next you say, fill the tank with dry nitrogen.............

Bad advise. Just FILL the tank. Quick, easy, simple and effective. No BS.

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

On Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:05:31 -0500, "Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote:

>
>"Kevin" <kevyNOSPAM@netins,net > wrote
>
>> If you drain and seal the tank ............
>
>RIGHT.........even if you could completely seal the tank, which is doubtful,
>you would be sealing in a tankful of (usually) damp fall air, to later
>condense moisture on the inside of the tank walls.
>Oh, next you say, fill the tank with dry nitrogen.............
>
>Bad advise. Just FILL the tank. Quick, easy, simple and effective. No BS.

Have we delved into the realm of theoretical human behavior, here?

In general, when the temp is decreasing, we see condensation. As with
morning dew. Vice versa when the temp increases. No?

Such things are not too difficult to monitor ...

If one drains a tank, leaves the fill-cap open, in a garage, and
won't fill it until he has a nice warm, dry afternoon ...

I not saying most bikers aren't better off filling up. I don't even
know.

P

"Blues starts to rolling ...
stops at my front do'.
I'm gonna change my way of livin' ...
won't have to worry no mo'."
- from "Blues Before Sunrise", Leroy Carr, maybe 1934

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors


"Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote

> Have we delved into the realm of theoretical human behavior, here?
>
> I not saying most bikers aren't better off filling up. I don't even
> know.
>

Then, theoretically, why are you running on about something that you don't
know ???

Re: The Honorable Mr. Keihin sabotaged my carburetors

On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:02:51 -0500, "LJ" <laremoDelete@yahoo,com > wrote:

>
>"Just Me" <hitchhiker@dont.panic> wrote in message
>news:bJmCj.17446$0o7.5116@newssvr13.news.prodigy,net ...
>>
>> "Puddin' Man" <puddingDOTman@gmail,com > wrote
>>
>>> It sat for maybe 10 weeks. Tank with Stabil was about 20% full.
>>> I filled it 100% full with fresh gas a couple days ago.
>>>
>>
>> Ah, more data.
>>
>> For future reference, the tank should be as FULL as you can get it during
>> storage. An 80% empty tank will tend to accumulate moisture (water)
>> during storage.
>>
>> I repeat my recommendation to drain the tank...........now for a different
>> reason ! ;-)
>>
>>
>So basically, your assumption that the Stabil concentration was not a good
>one, especially after he filled the tank. You're correct that he should
>have filled the tank, but he didn't and Sea Foam will help moisture, I
>assume the other brands will as well. If there's rust in the tank, he
>should definitely drain it, but ten weeks is hardly a long layover. If he
>left gas in the carbs, I pretty sure that's where his problems lie. At
>least that's a good place to start.

I shined a light in the tank: no rust evident.

Added some B12, ran it for a while. It idles now, down around 500 rpm.

It's had a lo-speed miss for some years, a bit more pronounced now.
I'll run the rest of the tankful with the carb cleaner, then
address the miss if necessary.

Thx,
Puddin'

"Blues starts to rolling ...
stops at my front do'.
I'm gonna change my way of livin' ...
won't have to worry no mo'."
- from "Blues Before Sunrise", Leroy Carr, maybe 1934