carburettor cleaner does it work??

Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
25
Location
LIVERPOOL
My 2000 st1100 has a flat spot and wont go pass 50mph been told to clean the carbs with carb cleaner.
Has anyone used it with any good effects
been told to use Wurth Carb cleaner,
cheers
mal:04biker:
 
We need a little more information to help. Is the bike new to you? Has it been ridden daily or sitting for a while? How does it run at idle? Is the power smooth but unwilling to pull past 50mph?

Carb cleaners run through the gas tank can help. A bike that has been sitting a while may need a bit more invasive action to clean out the jets in the carb. I am unfamiliar with Wurth brand
 
It sounds like you may have another issue like torn or leaking carb diaphram - If this is the case the fuel additive won't do anything - If you do have plugged jets etc - that are plugged enough to keep your bike from going over 50 mph -I doubt that a carb cleaning additive will help much - you will need to pull the carbs and clean out the jets etc. There are articles published to show you how to do this.

Dan
 
it just seems to have a flat spot on take off as if its not getting fuel .but as it get fast it clears. checked all fuel lines but it has been standing for 4 months as the exhaust fell off. Just got round to replacing it with a s/ steel one thats all I did and now it struggles to get pass 50mph. didnt touch anything eles but the tick over was only 200rpm when I first turned it on had to speed it up.
The other thing is that the left exhaust down pipe by the engine gets hot quicky then the other side. is right.
 
Hmmmm, sounds like the transition from idle to your needle jet. I suspect it is a blocked passageway. This happens frequently today with ethanol fuels left to sit in the carbs over an extended time.

I would add a can of Seafoam to a tank of fuel. I think one ounce (30cc) of Seafoam to a gallon of gas should suffice. If this does not clean out that lean spot I would pull the carbs and clean them. If you do this try to locate someone with an ultrasonic cleaner. The Ultrasonic clear does a nice job. Carb cleaners today are weak thanks to the EPA.

Your carbs haven't been sitting in old fuel for to long so I am thinking the SeaFoam will have you running after a tank of fuel.

On another note, check the insulators between the carbs and the heads, they can dry out and crack, the clamps can loosen up and either of these situtations can allow the engine to suck air causing a lean situation.

Mike
 
I haven't pulled off these carbs yet, so I don't know how they're configured, but what I know DOES work, if you can get just the carb by itself, is a can of carb cleaner that is made for dunking the carbs. It looks like a paint can, you can get it at most any car parts store, and you MAKE SURE YOU TAKE ALL NON-METALLICS off the carb, then drop the whole thing into the little parts basket that comes with the can...leave it there 20-30 mins, and it comes out like brandy new! I've used this on several lawnmower carbs, and it works like a charm.
 
Just put carb cleaner in the carb and it seems better.acceleration at pull off is better just like normal but when in top gear on motorway struggles to get pass 70 mph you can feel it jecking for more fuel. going to try seafoam as soon as i get it will let you what happens.
 
I agree it sounds like clogged jets.
A couple of tanks with Seafoam would be my choice as well. Can you get Seafoam over there (Liverpool)?
 
In a word NO it does not. I have never seen an engine (carbed engine) that was stored with gas in it and had plugged idle jets respond to carb cleaner. NEVER EVER NEVER! The carbs have to come out and be taken apart and cleaned by hand to fix this.

There are multiple threads on this site which have found that running Seafoam through the carbs (ST1100) have cleaned them.
 
Really weak at speed, I've seen a clogged fuel filter do that. Also, could be the vacuum gas shut-off device. I've had both.

Also, I've had the clogged low-speed jets, usually only impacts idle and low-throttle running.

Also, I've had the torn diaphragms, all four at once. It'll shut off the top end pretty effectivelly but still runs about 80 MPH on level ground.

All of the above also pull down the gas mileage.

Pulling the carbs is second nature for me, done it many, many times. But the first time thru can be intimidating. Try to get someone with experience to lend a hand if possible.
 
hi guys
just done the seafoam thing and its worked. bike is now in good con but my get me carbs balanced as ive never had it done.
thanks for the help.
 
guys
Got sea foam off ebay and it really does work, used whole of the can and is running better.
Going to get carbs checked for balance in near furture
Thanks for all your help.
 
That's good news...
You might want to continue to run some Seafoam for a couple more tanks and *then* sync the carbs... and even, perish the thought(!), a valve clearance check! :D

Just remember ride the 'ell out of it for a bit to make sure it gets clean (and avoid the cameras when/if you do!).
 
Back
Top Bottom