Carb question

[jimnvalk]

I think i am going to have to do the carbs on my 99 I/S.  I am not mechanically inclined.  Here is what is happening.  I picked the bike up thursday, it had been sitting for about a year.  Got it home and drained tank, lines, carbs, and flushed.  After starting it was leaking out of left side carbs.  Worked and got that stopped.  Now the bike runs rough.  I put half a can of seafoam in it when i replaced gas.  when I pull the wires of the back 2 cylinders on the left side there is no change in the engine.  I have only run about a fourth of the tank so far, hoping that the seafoam would clean.  Have not seen any improvement.  any suggestions if suggestion is to have carbs done please suggest a mechanic or ways that I can get this done.
thanks in advance

[john]

howdy jim ...
john stiefer here ...   
tyler ...
check our eric howell ...     
he is there in van ... or just west of van on 16
toward canton ...
goldwing rider and flat six wrench ...     
shop is south side of road head'in west
www.howellscycle.com
i plan on going saturday morning ...
better call him first .. or email

[john]

eric sez he will be open 9-12 saturday ...

[jimnvalk]

I know eric i taught his boys and taught with his wife here in Van.  I have been to his shop many times, I was out there today.  I am planning on meeting a friend of mine Friday night in Oklahoma to rebuild the carbs.  With those 2 cylinders not firing I am afraid to drive it much, afraid it will damage the engine.  I am new to this, am i under the wrong impression that it would hurt.  Thanks for your response.
Are you going to Rockwall Thursday night fo rthe RVCC meeting?  I thinkng of going may have to ride my magna.

[CamTom12]

Did you check the plugs and wires?

[laserpat]

I had a similer problem with a valk sitting with gas in the carbs for 2 years not running well. tried sea foam. nothing. Here is how I fixed it. Removed and drained fuel tank, drained carb bowls, got Yamaha carb cleaner un diluted, poured in fuel line with a small funnel, hit the starter to pull cleaner into jets, let it sit over night. runs perfect. rebuild in a can for $15.00

[BnB Tom]

I had a similer problem with a valk sitting with gas in the carbs for 2 years not running well. tried sea foam. nothing. Here is how I fixed it. Removed and drained fuel tank, drained carb bowls, got Yamaha carb cleaner un diluted, poured in fuel line with a small funnel, hit the starter to pull cleaner into jets, let it sit over night. runs perfect. rebuild in a can for $15.00

That trick used to work on old cars too. 

[RainMaker]

I had a similer problem with a valk sitting with gas in the carbs for 2 years not running well. tried sea foam. nothing. Here is how I fixed it. Removed and drained fuel tank, drained carb bowls, got Yamaha carb cleaner un diluted, poured in fuel line with a small funnel, hit the starter to pull cleaner into jets, let it sit over night. runs perfect. rebuild in a can for $15.00

That trick used to work on old cars too. 

It it's anything like the carb cleaners I've used, be careful not to get any on the paint - will take it clean off!!

[john]

mark ...
what do you use that removes paint ?
was it an additive ... or a dip ? ... maybe     
jim..
no help from eric with carb problem ?       ???

[laserpat]

a dip DO NOT ADD TO TANK. It may eat paint, I wouldn't test it.

[RainMaker]

mark ...
what do you use that removes paint ?
was it an additive ... or a dip ? ... maybe     
jim..
no help from eric with carb problem ?       ???

Berryman B-12 Chemtool.  It WILL clean a carb.  Solvent based.  But it will also clean your paint off if not careful. 

Don't ask how I know....

[Patron]

It has been my experience that when the jets start to clog you can clean them by running seafoam thru the tank but once they are completely plugged and have no flow thru them the only way is to tear the carbs down and clean them.  At this point, I consider seafoam a maintenance item to clean up the carbs and get rid of the always present varnish.  But, when you have more serious plugged jets and no flow; well, you are going to be taking the carb bank off and removing the jets to get them unplugged.  Also, be sure to examine carefully all the diaphrams for cracks.  With the age these machines are getting to the rubber diaphrams are prone to cracks and leaks.

[Wanderer]

It has been my experience that when the jets start to clog you can clean them by running seafoam thru the tank but once they are completely plugged and have no flow thru them the only way is to tear the carbs down and clean them.  At this point, I consider seafoam a maintenance item to clean up the carbs and get rid of the always present varnish.  But, when you have more serious plugged jets and no flow; well, you are going to be taking the carb bank off and removing the jets to get them unplugged.  Also, be sure to examine carefully all the diaphrams for cracks.  With the age these machines are getting to the rubber diaphrams are prone to cracks and leaks.

And, I hear they practically give those diaphrams way, eh Stan!. NOT!

[jimnvalk]

I want to thank everyone for the great info.  I appreciate it very much.  I am going to a friend of mine in Oklahoma tomorrow and we are going to do the DeSmog.  While we are doing that we are going use a ultrasonic cleaner on the carbs.  Hopefully this will take care of my problem.  Only wish I was riding instead of caging.