Sputtering But Will Smoke em!!!

[BIG--T]

Hi, Mine has been sputtering so I put seafoam and it didn't seem to help. I brought it to a "mechanic" and he said the carbs need cleaning and replaced a couple of jets. When I went to pick it up  and rode her back home, she started to sputter again! Well I knew she was low on gas so I thought because she was starving for gas(sputtering), I filled her up.

Well that wasn't it because it started all over again! I know what you're thinking....Why didn't I bring it back to the "mechanic"?? Well lets just say it's a long story, kinda of a family thing, and ain't going there!

Ok, Now I've been putting Lucus fuel additive in and it seems to help a little. Now the WEIRD part: Taking off @ WOT, like dragging,she runs great! I even had her up to 105mph! But riding normal on the low end through the first 3 gears is when she sputters, but smoking the tires off the line and hitting top speed.....runs excellent!! But I can't run like this all the time.. ! 

Anyway, I'm at a loss! IF The guy REALLY fixed the carbs, could it be electrical? The wife and I want to take a long trip but I'm afraid to running like this. Maybe the Lucus and a long interstate trip could fix it...    BTW,I did let it sit up too long     

Thanks in advance for your help!! 

[Patrick]

It certainly sounds as if you have some plugged/varnished low jets.. Keep running heavy doses of fuel system cleaner[Sea-foam or Tectron] thru it at the speeds which it runs poorly.. Or, get your hands dirty and start cleaning or replacing those low jets..

[Jabba]

My New-To Me IS was not running great when I got her.

700 miles on the way home helped a lot. 

Another 1500 miles with Lucas Fuel additive gget her running pretty darn good.

How MUCH have you ridden it with the Lucas in it?

Jabba

[Hoser]

The high speed jets are not affected by the clogged slow jets,  So open throttle settings will stay the same.  Finally got a plugged slow jet I had free, try cruising in 5th about 30mph with it sputtering and put the choke on full for 5 minutes, worked for me with a heavy dose of techron seafoam mix.  Ignore the smoke from the pipes, it will go away when you open the choke.  Don't be afraid to do it more than once.  Worked for me on the second try.  It was 105 degrees that day, don't know if that had any thing to do with it.  Filled the tank with fresh gas after it cleared to dilute the heavy dose, all has been well since.     Hoser  Low milage standard I bought out of storage.
 

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys for the help, I was thinking low speed jets too. I wonder how much Techron is too much? I am sold on it because I know it works. I put it in my VTX 1800 once or twice a year, and put 1/3 of a bottle per 3 consecutive fill ups. Would it hurt it to put more in the Valk? I'm scared to over do it!

Thanks

[GreenLantern57]

I put in a half bottle, then took a 200 mile ride, second tankfull would have still had some chemical since there is still a bit in there, but when I filled up at the end of the run, the gas would have been pretty clean. I think I need to replace the vacuum hoses and it will smooth out the rough idle.

[John U.]

I wouldn't be too worried about overdoing it. A half bottle in a half tank, or less won't hurt. It will probably smoke though. Run it and let it sit for a while and run it again.
If that won't work it's time to get dirty.

[BIG--T]

So 1/2 bottle or 6oz is ok? Thats good to know and thanks alot. I'll also be sure to check the hoses and put fresh oil in if and after this works.

[Ricky-D]

I've dumped a whole bottle in mine from time to time.

I've an Interstate and there have only been good effects.

Always have to keep in mind that there are gas stations with really crummy gasoline in their tanks.

My local up the street gas station always has a lot of water in their gasoline. (non-ethanol type)

Drain the carbs a little each and the roughness clears right up!

***

[GreenLantern57]

Personally, I would not let this stout a mixture set. I planned it so that the mix would not be in the system for a long time. Normal mixes overnight, or in one tank every so often will keep the jets clean. Too many horror stories of Techron or other carb cleaners ruining o-rings and/or plastic parts.

[BIG--T]

Exacyly GL57, That is why I put 1/3 bottle (4oz) per FULL tank in 3 consectutive fill ups.

Thanks

[Patrick]

Sea-Foam won't hurt anything,, can't speak for the other brands..

[Jabba]

Got to RIDE it though.  You got to FLOW that gas thru the offending carbs.  FLOW FLOW FLOW.

Ride it, Ride it, Ride it.

Oh yeah... I almost forgot.  Once you put the fuel system cleaner of your choice in... you have to RIDE IT!

Jabba

[BIG--T]

Ummmmm, Ya really think I ought to ride er??? 

Thanks, I think I will!! 

[Jabba]

You can stay close to home... but you got to run A  LOT of fuel thu it to scub the yuk out.

Jabba

[BIG--T]

Thanks Jabba, I will ride her. Wonder if I can put fuel injection on her?? 

I'm beginning to hate carbs!!! All dang six of them!! 

[Jabba]

oh man... once you get 'em going good, and you take care of her.... it'll be all good.

Jabba

[Hoser]

Ride it slow and low rpm, put the choke on full for  a few minutes at a time,  worked for me, I had a pint of techron and a pint of seafoam mixed with 2 gallons of gas, cleared the slow jets in less thsn 30 minutes.  Fill it up with gas after it clears up. BTW, I let the carbs set full of the mix overnight before I started.  Hoser

[bogator]

   OK,I've read all the techs answers , try one more thing -------check the breather hose----mine was spiting and sputering and I had not even thought of the breather hose,a friend ask if I had drained it lately, I could'nt remember... so I drained it,and started running great again.---- my 2 cents.