Scooter Jim Posted February 9, 2014 #1 Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) I added sea foam to the tank and took a ride this morn. Engine developed a rough, low idle and there is gas dripping on the left side exhaust pipe. Barely got the bike home. It runs pretty good after 3000 rpm but won't hardly idle. Gas smell is strong. I am financially limited right now. Is there a way to solve this problem without buying rebuild kits? Any help will be appreciated. This bike is new to me. Bought it back in June but had back surgery in July and just now getting it on the road. It had a kind of rough idle before adding the sea foam but ran pretty good. I am not a very savvy mechanic. I change oil, etc but nothing complicated. BTW, it's an '84 Royale. Edited February 9, 2014 by Scooter Jim Omitted the year.
KIC Posted February 9, 2014 #2 Posted February 9, 2014 One trick to try is to get a can of spray Seafoam or Techron and then open the drain screw and drain the gas out of the carb bowls. Then place the little red red tube up into the drain hose and then cover the end of the hose with a rag and give a good spray. close the drain screw. Do each carb. You should use about a can for the job, so you are squirting 1/4 can per carb. Let sit for a little while and then drain the bowls and turn your key on several times to cycle the fuel pump and refill the carb bowls. This might dislodge a Piece of crap in one of the bowls that might be keeping the float from shuttling off the fuel flow.
Guest tx2sturgis Posted February 9, 2014 #3 Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) I'm guessing the Seafoam dissolved or dislodged some crud, that ended up in the pilot jet and/or carb float needle. Dose it again with a full can of Seafoam or Startron in a half tank of gas, run it for 5 or 10 minutes, idle to half throttle, and then let it sit for 24 hours. After the Seafoam soak, then refill the gas tank to full. Then try again. Let us know what happens. Edited February 10, 2014 by tx2sturgis
Yammer Dan Posted February 9, 2014 #4 Posted February 9, 2014 Both above good advice but just run what you have in there thru it and don't baby it. You have broken some crud loose and hopefully you can just run it on thru.
Venturous Randy Posted February 10, 2014 #5 Posted February 10, 2014 Jim, you appear to have a float valve that is over flowing. The way I fixed my bike when it did that was to remove the air box and determine which carb was the problem. I then took the fuel line loose and used low pressure air to blow into that carb through the float valve. That fixed my problem. Also, Seafoam is hard on spark plugs, so after you run the heavy Seafoam mix thru the bike, you should probably change the spark plugs. I use cheap Autolites I get from Advance Auto and they work good for me. RandyA
pmelah Posted February 10, 2014 #6 Posted February 10, 2014 whats the part # on the autolites i have a good set of ngk in it and am having the same well i have had the same problem for the last year small doses of seafoam have been run threw it but i want to do the heavy dose and will put te cheap autolites in for that and then switch back to my ngks those plugs only have about 3 k on them
Venturous Randy Posted February 10, 2014 #7 Posted February 10, 2014 whats the part # on the autolites i have a good set of ngk in it and am having the same well i have had the same problem for the last year small doses of seafoam have been run threw it but i want to do the heavy dose and will put te cheap autolites in for that and then switch back to my ngks those plugs only have about 3 k on them Autolite #4164 for $1.98 each. Always in stock. RandyA
CaptainJoe Posted February 10, 2014 #8 Posted February 10, 2014 After you apply a strong dose of seafoam and it has been sitting in the carbs for at least 24 hrs. Turn the fuel pumps on but don't start. Tap the side of the carb in question with the plastic portion of a large screwdriver...That should dislodge crud under needle valve or stuck float...
Scooter Jim Posted February 10, 2014 Author #9 Posted February 10, 2014 Thanks to all for your help. I let the carbs soak overnight and went for a 150 mile run today. Doing MUCH better. I still smelled raw gas and got to looking and the pet clock was very slowly oozing gas. I tightened everything and turned the dial from on to reserve several times. I think it has stopped leaking. I hope so. I put some more sea foam in the tank after I filled it and will continue to run it for a few more tanks. Gas mileage was 42 mpg after fill up. I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks again guys for all your help.
Scooter Jim Posted February 12, 2014 Author #11 Posted February 12, 2014 Bike is running pretty smooth, BUT, the Petcock is leaking. Can someone give me some tips on the best way to remove it? I ordered a new one and will replace it. It is very hard to turn it from on to reserve, and off positions also. I already have a fuel filter kit that I will install as well. I know how to access the fuel filter and I have taken off the right side cover to look at the Petcock but it seems very difficult to get access to it. I am probably making it harder than it really is. You guys have a lot more experience than me. TIA
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