Run carbs dry

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by joeyvans, Jan 28, 2018.

  1. joeyvans

    joeyvans New Member

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    Hi all! When I tore apart my new to me Gen IV a few weeks ago, I was surprised to see these have a fuel pump with just a fuel on/off switch as opposed to a petcock with reserve. Reason for my surprise was that my '98 600F3 had a standard petcock.

    My question is about running the carbs dry for storage. I noticed that the pump begins to click if I turn off the fuel with the bike running. I can only imagine that doing this will eventually burn out the pump. To nearly empty the bowls while running the bike.... can I simply unplug the fuel pump until the motor is starved for fuel and stalls?

    Or, is there a better way to drain the carb bowls without removing the carb bank?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Does it have any drain screws? I like to put a piece of vacuum line onto the drain, and let it run into a container for disposal.

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  3. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    How long are you storing it for?

    3-6 months - Before storing it run with good fuel - 98 octane +..

    This will at least get 'good' fuel in the carbs.

    then run till it dies..

    Then empty the carbs following the above method by Mind Surfer..

    This way:
    the tank is brim full of good quality petrol
    the carbs have only good petrol in them (& as little as practical)
     
  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Yes, unplug pump.

    After the engine dies, turn the choke to full, and run that circuit dry too, about 10 seconds.

    there is a small problem with this, however, since some fuel will remain in bowl and may turn gummy.

    Best to take the time to remove side fairings to access the drain screws. Big PIA i know.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2018
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  5. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    what Squirrel said and use Rec 90, non ethanol gas.
     
  6. hondaman219

    hondaman219 New Member

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    Carb bowl gaskets and orings dry out without fuel. Especially with 25 year old bikes. Then they leak when you start it up till they swell up. If they swell up. For warm dry winter storage I put stabilizer in and keep them filled and the tank 99% dry. This way I can start it once a month to build oil pressure. Mind you this is for short term storage. No more than 4-6 months. If stored cold or outside fill the tank to prevent rust. Then drain what you can from the tank and run fresh gas through it. My 2 cents worth. Most of us do not have access to non E10 gas. Shit sucks, nothing but problems and no benefits. Long term storage drain the carbs, fuel lines ,tank. rebuild the carbs now or when you want to get it out of storage. Coat the inside of the tank and seal the cap.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2018
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  7. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    No ethanol +1 !
     
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  8. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Absolutely agree! Holy crap don't even get me started...

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  9. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    rc46 tank
     

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  10. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Is that where you keep your tobacco? lol
     
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  11. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    Actually this "tobacco" is simply the rest of E10 fuel after left the bike sit for one year .

    IMG_5070.JPG IMG_5071.JPG IMG_5276.JPG IMG_5069.JPG
     
  12. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    That is horrible.
     
  13. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    IMG_5276.JPG IMG_5335.JPG And pretty expensive . luckily no a single point of rust inside , but fuel pump was dead.
    As honda tech i started to see this shit already in 2015 .
     
  14. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Did you Cream the tank? I had a 1975 RD 350 that I creamed the tank and it was fine for a long time. Sold it last year.
     
  15. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Have you seen the effects of 10% ethanol fuel on the plastic strainer components in tank and float valves of a 1986 Interceptor?

    The in-tank strainer swells, and cannot be removed. The float valve strainers swell and become disengaged from the valve, rendering them ineffective and worse.

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  16. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    Yes , i saw on a cbr600f the same troubles .... not much to do when it´s too late
     
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  17. Ghostrider.1127

    Ghostrider.1127 New Member

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    Think the customers after was searching for a used tank
     
  18. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Are you aware that creem has proven far inferior to the epoxy-based www.caswell.com fuel tank sealer and is likely to flake off, causing fuel gloggages ?

    any reference to creem seems decidedly old-school .
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2018
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  19. Gator

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    I did not know that. I had the RD for about 6-7 years and the tank was still in excellent condition when I sold it. I only ran REC 90 in it so it may have slow down the deterioration.
     
  20. Gator

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