Runnin like $#!+

[abusive throttle cranker]

I've had my Venture for sale (a '91). Its been sitting in the garage for 3 months or so. I tried to run it last week and it was terrible (it was running fine b4 that). Wouldn't run without the choke or even hardly idle at all. Wouldn't accept any throttle either. And black smoke too. The diaphragms looked kinda poorly so I've now replaced with new. Well, that helped but its still not where it should be. I've been thru the carbs several times, synced em, all that- months ago. And I've been wrenching on Japanese fours for 40 years now. Not to say I know it all, but I've seen my share and then some. But I'm stumped here. I don't know what could be the problem. And I've got a guy wants to buy it if I can get it running good. Oh- its had techron in the gas. While its been sitting too.

[Flyinfool]

Start with some fresh gas with a heavy dose of fresh Techtron in it.

A few months can be all it needs to gum up the carbs.

 

Your symptoms sure sound like gummed up carbs.

 

I never tried Techtron for storage, I've always used Sea Foam.

[bongobobny]

Most likely gummed up carbs. Those little passageways clog up very easy. Try seafoam in the carbs. you could also have a clogged fuel filter, fouled plugs, moisture in the TCI box, and a myriad of other things...

[Yammer Dan]

Maybe it just thinks you are crazy to sell it!!!! It does sound like fuel. This junk they sell us anymore is ruining a lot of carbs and engines because people don't know what to do with them. Can't get mower to crank?? Just buy a new one!!! With these things we can't (most of us) do that. Sea-Foam soak time??? I would bet on it.

[abusive throttle cranker]

Yeah I've been wondering about fuel. It only has about a quarter tank in it. The fuel filter BTW is brand new. And I pulled the plugs and cleaned them. They were wet, but they too are new. Maybe 250 miles on them.

I didn't really intend to store it as is. I'm in Arizona- riding weather 362 days a year. But I'm 60 yo and 5'7 and this bike is just too tall and heavy. I dropped it twice and couldn't pick it up again. So I parked it and listed it on Craigslist. Wrong time of year- so it sat. I'm gunshy about takin it out again.

[Flyinfool]

Storing it with a quarter tank of gas is also very bad for the gas and carbs.

 

Try some fresh gas with a heavy dose of Sea Foam or Techtron.

[videoarizona]

I've had my Venture for sale (a '91). Its been sitting in the garage for 3 months or so.

 

Ah rats. Wish I had seen your Venture FS. I bought one in December and waiting to get it shipped to Green Valley, AZ. I could have bought yours and had a buddy ride it down to my home in GV!

 

I recommend you drain gas tank, put new gas in with Seafoam. Ride around the block a few times and she should run like a champ again!

 

david

[MiCarl]

Sounds like crudded up carbs to me too.

 

With the ethanol that almost all gasoline has now the shelf life isn't near what it used to be.

 

I wouldn't drain the tank. I'd drain the carburetors, put enough fuel treatment (with stabilizer) for 10 gallons in the tank. Cycle the ignition switch a few times to get the treated fuel into the carbs. Maybe even run it for a bit.

 

Let it sit for a week and top off the tank with fresh fuel. Try it out - you might get lucky.

[van avery]

Have you sprayed starting fluid around the carbs and intakes to see if you have a vacuum leak? Don't forget the orings between the intake boots and the cylinders.

[GeorgeS]

Completly drain the tank, ( at the Petcock , attach a hose , to a gas can ) and Each Seperate Carb bowl, has its own drain hose.

Start with New Gas, and Sea-Foam, or Techraline, a fairly heavy dose.

Might also be time for a new set of plugs, !!!

Run it every day for a week, after the above treatment.

[bongobobny]

Yup! Once you get it running, drive it like ya stole it! Those engines thrive on higher RPM's...

[abusive throttle cranker]

I have filled it with fresh gas and a good dose of Techron, and once the garage is clear of the fumes (overfilled it with attendant spill ) I'll run it a bit to get that mix into the carbs. I'm trying to avoid ripping the bleepin carbs off again.

Considering the effort it took to get the carbs off- involving prying with a 1x4, I'm hoping there is no leak 'tween carbs and manifold. Spraying with ether can be done later if this doesn't work.

 

Edit: it runs now but I doubt it'll pull enough to get rolling. I'm afraid to take it out myself lest I drop it again. I'll have this customer guy take it out if it improves some. Assuming he'll put some cash in my hand first lest he bend it.