Clogged jets - the usual heartache....

[Wingster1980]

Hi Everyone,

I have a few simple (?) but important question(s)....If my sweetie (1999 Valkyrie Interstate) had not been started for some time...Me in Afghanistan (again!!) It does run, but with half choke; any thin less it dies...is it necessary to pull the carbs (6) to clean the jets...and they should be pulled as a set?. I am double checking work being done at a local authorized dealer (Yes I know!) Just don't have the time or real experience to do it myself.  Any info will be great , as I don't want work to be done if not needed...what should I say to mechanic as to what I would want or should be done  (just in case).....
Thanks everybody.

[mustang071965]

possible stuck floats, have you tried some sea foam gas treatment? never had your problem on my IS but have had it on several older cars with carbs. sea foam cleared it up in them.

[Wingster1980]

Yes exactly,....I tried just about everything known to man, plus the gas was set for storage...but it just wouldn't run properly...makes me think something other than the jet(s???)...but not sure...so went o the shop...Grrrr!
Thanks Mustang

[Fazer]

Lots of guys like the Berrymansl B-12 as it is much stronger than Seafoam.  What I have read is to put a half a can in a tank, some guys use a whole can, and run the tank out at the speed where the trouble is, mostly as slow speeds (rpm).  I think I would try the B-12 before pulling the carbs.  May take a couple of tanks.  If you do a search for B-12, I am sure you will gets lots of hits.

[Dale_K]

There is a series of videos about bringing a Valkyrie back to life after extended storage and it includes the whole business of removing the carbs, rebuilding them, reinstalling them etc.  There are actually 9 vids in the series but here is a link to the one about taking off the carbs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDLTpQCTBsc

[indybobm]

I am a big believer in Chemtool B-12. Plus it is less than $4.00 at Walmart. I would use 1/2 can to a tank. Keep the rpms between 1000 & 2000. Ride half the tank, let it sit, ride the rest of the tank. Repeat with the rest of the B12.

[Pete]

You can try a strong carb cleaner by pouring it directly into the fuel line letting it set and draining it.
Doing this multiple times may help.

if it has set with gas/ethanol this may not help, if you were using pure gas the odds are better that it may work.

If this does not do it pull and clean the carbs and tank. Check the tank for rust, if so then de-rust the tank and service the petcock and flush the fuel lines.

[oldsmokey]

Have you drained all the treated gas from the system?

[Roidfingers]

You can try a strong carb cleaner by pouring it directly into the fuel line letting it set and draining it.
Doing this multiple times may help.

if it has set with gas/ethanol this may not help, if you were using pure gas the odds are better that it may work.

If this does not do it pull and clean the carbs and tank. Check the tank for rust, if so then de-rust the tank and service the petcock and flush the fuel lines.

Got to run it to clean jets. Just sitting will do nada. Strong doses of B12. Like said above. If that doesn't work Check the link for carbs. I've had mine only 3 yrs and have done it all thanks to this great site and the members.

[signart]

You will probably have to have them pulled.  Yes, they come out as a set, all connected to a "rack".

[Pete]

You can try a strong carb cleaner by pouring it directly into the fuel line letting it set and draining it.
Doing this multiple times may help.

if it has set with gas/ethanol this may not help, if you were using pure gas the odds are better that it may work.

If this does not do it pull and clean the carbs and tank. Check the tank for rust, if so then de-rust the tank and service the petcock and flush the fuel lines.

Got to run it to clean jets. Just sitting will do nada. Strong doses of B12. Like said above. If that doesn't work Check the link for carbs. I've had mine only 3 yrs and have done it all thanks to this great site and the members.

Actually you do not have to run it as everything that needs cleaning comes in contact by filling and draining. I would agree that the odds are not in your favor of cleaning on the bike working and that disassembly is a better way.

Even Honda techs try cleaning on the bike with a strong cleaner they get from Honda.

If you want agitation pour and drain several times and let it set full of cleaner.

[Bagger John - #3785]

A) Never place a carbureted motorcycle in long-term storage with fuel in the bowls - regardless of additives. There are bowl drain screws at the bottom of each carburetor; one of your last prep items should be to open these and drain the bowls of all fuel. Leave them open.

B) I'd look at replacing the stock #35 pilot jets with #38s, then resetting your idle air screws 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated instead of the 2 1/4 turns specified in the service manual.

Unlike the tank, there's nothing in the bowls which can rust or corrode. If the bike isn't actively in service, they don't need fuel in them. Said fuel will evaporate over time and leave behind residues which plug and gum things up.

[Wingster1980]

Great - THANKS TO ALL...TOTALLY APPRECIATED.....

[jdp]

I only had luck doing this with one of my bikes when the low speed jets were clogged, probably that damn ethanol but anyway I ran everything like you did and nothing worked so just as I was about to pull the carbs I ran a100% 114 racing fuel that a had for my dirt bike and keep it at an idle as much as I could, did this a couple days and I guess that pure gas washed it out because it's good to go still to this day, I would try that as a last chance.

[signart]

I only had luck doing this with one of my bikes when the low speed jets were clogged, probably that damn ethanol but anyway I ran everything like you did and nothing worked so just as I was about to pull the carbs I ran a100% 114 racing fuel that a had for my dirt bike and keep it at an idle as much as I could, did this a couple days and I guess that pure gas washed it out because it's good to go still to this day, I would try that as a last chance.

This is a good suggestion. If I were going to try and run it out, I would visit a small airport with an approved 5 gal can "for my ultra-light". After you ride it all you care to, it will still be working while you sleep. Rde some more Av gas, Valky likey
If that doesn't do it, you gotta go in.

[WaltL]

My '99 Interstate only had ~1,000 mi put on it in 8 yr. before I bought it.  So it sat a lot!  Similar issue in that it wanted a little choke at first.  I've run at least 3-4 cans of Seafoam and put some miles on it.  It's better, no chock required, but my main beef is it's only getting 23-24 mpg , which from what I've read is about 10 mi less than what I should be getting.  Anyway, I'm definitely going to try the B-12 and some 110 octane as well, but my moto mechanic buddy who use to work on a lot of wings says I'll probably need to tear down the carbs to get things clean/right.  The videos posted above are quite good, so if you can turn a wrench it's really not that bad, just takes time and patience.  If the fix-a-fluids don't work, I'm gonna wait until it gets too hot to ride down here and then tackle it.

[Glaserbeam]

I agree with Walt, the fix-a-fluids don't work.  Mine had sat for a couple years in the hands of previous owner.  I had to pull the carbs.  The jets weren't clogged, but the passageways from the slow-speed jet to the throat were - the bike had been idling on 3 cylinders, and sure enough in those 3 carbs brown flakes came out when I shot carb cleaner then compressed air through the passageways.

The worst part was re-installing the carbs, because all the hoses (mostly the smog hoses) had to be routed a particular way and the hose clamps were difficult to put back into place.  And the airbox was a real bear to re-fit.

I also get only 23-24 mpg.  But I also like winding it out in each gear

[dconstruct55]

Wingster already has the Valk in the shop, so it is well past advice on any liquid fix. Bottom line is the floats are stuck and the jets are probably pretty gummed up, so yes, they have to be pulled and cleaned. Had the same thing happen to me about 4 months ago. Running on choke and then dying when no choke is a sure sign carbs need to be removed and cleaned.

[Dereck]

Hey guys!  I haven't been on this site for quite a while, but I'm back on the Valk and need some help...  My bike has been sitting, but with the occasional ride. It runs rough...   I tried pulling each plug wire while its running to see if all cylinders are firing and the middle on the right seems to make no difference in the idle when the wire is pulled.  It seems that I have spark.  How can I determine if fuel is reaching that cylinder?  I've gone through a can of seafoam...

[Hook#3287]

Hey guys!  I haven't been on this site for quite a while, but I'm back on the Valk and need some help...  My bike has been sitting, but with the occasional ride. It runs rough...   I tried pulling each plug wire while its running to see if all cylinders are firing and the middle on the right seems to make no difference in the idle when the wire is pulled.  It seems that I have spark.  How can I determine if fuel is reaching that cylinder?  I've gone through a can of seafoam...

Dereck, you might get better response if you post a new thread.

Try using some Berrymans B-12 in a couple of tanks.  Try running at or below 2500 rpm when possible.

If that doesn't help, you'll most likely need to remove and clean your carbs.

[Dodis]

One thing you can try that I figured out through desperation, is to get a can of spray carb/injector cleaner. Cut the plastic nozzle tube at a shallow angle, like a hypodermic needle. Open the drain screws. Then you can place it over each port of each jet, hold it down with your finger and spray down through the jets. This blows out the crud enough for fuel to flow so you can run it with the strong doses of Berryman's or other. I had to do a couple with a blast of compressed air too.

I tried this to avoid a third carb rebuild after my bike had setup again, after an injury. First rebuild after it sat for over 1 yr., family losses. Then I rebuilt with 38's, was running great. Then after my injury, I ran it in the garage at least monthly for a while, then slipped off my schedule. In 7 months those brand new jets looked like pieces of jade when I opened the carbs, replaced again... (no pics right now, sitting 350 miles from home caring for more sick family). Then lots of work and OT kept me off again, and I had to try the above and got it running again. Still need to do full tanks with strong cleaner, but at least I have been keeping it running at least monthly, at least this time I can ride it not just sitting on the sidestand...