added seafoam won't idle now

[homerj]

I sprayed some seafoam into my carbs the other day and now my machine dosen't want to idle, when i first start it up, it runs fine while warming up, when the light goes off it dies. Starts again fine but gut to pump the throttle to keep it going. I went for a small ride seem to be running ok but when I stop she doesn't want to stay going , i'm convinced that i'm going to have to clean the carbs again, but wanted confirmation, if I do should i just spray some carb cleaner in or take them off, if I did take them off is it a big job? iv'e seen instructions here whch seem pretty straight foward. Just wanted to know.

 

[Len Todd]

Clean the Carbs. I had to do it three times this year. You have the symptom of fowled Pilot Jets.

The Seafoam in the throats is probably not even related. However, use cleaners only per the directions. If you shock the fuel system with cleaners, you will release deposits such that they are not dissolved in the fuel. Then, they can gel and cause all kinds of problems. I did that this year and I ended plugging the main jet (and a couple other jets on other carbs) on one carb with gelled fuel deposits.

 

[HEAVYD]

Dido with Mr. Todd, get to pullin and cleanin

 

[LazyBastard]

You can't possibly clean a carb by spraying crap down the throat. If you put it there, all it will do is get blown straight into the engine. If you want to clean a carb, you need to scrape out everywhere that fuel flows through it. That means taking it apart and cleaning it with brushes and wires.

Note: If it started messing up when you wasted seafoam by blowing it in, then it is probably a problem with a SPARK PLUG.

 

[Len Todd]

LB is his usual subtle way, brings up a good point:

The coil to sparkplug connections were problematic with the '03 RX-1s. Once you know that your carbs are clean and you still have the problem, you may want to consider pulling the coils, removing the rubber tips and cleaning the coils' tips and coils' bodies with brakeclean.

Also, inspect the tips of the sparkplugs for arcing at the connection to the coils. Replace any sparkplugs that have been arcing. If the coil's tips are severely burnt, the coil may also need to be replaced. When buying new or used coils get '05 or newer.

You can remove the rubber grommet from the coil and reinstall the rubber tip and reinstall the coil. Then, in a darkened room, look for arcing around the coil. If you can't stop any arcing by cleaning the coil, then you will end up replacing it.

The coil itself can be electrically tested. But, lets wait and see how you make out with the carbs first. If the carb cleaning does not solve the problem, then inspect the coils. If the coil inspection and cleaning does not solve the problem, then we run through the coil testing.

 

[LazyBastard]

That's another good idea, but what I meant was more along the lines of a seafoam-fouled spark plug.

 

[homerj]

I'v never personally cleaned the carbs on this sled before, what kind of time frame am I looking at for doing them, i remember seeing some instructions on this site, if they are dirty should I see any deposits or signs of dirt?

 

[SMOKNZ]

If you haven't done it before and are really paying attention you could put an easy 3 hours into it if you keep the rack intact. If you pull every carb apart could be alot longer. I kept my rack together and flipped them upside down and started pulling jets, cleaning them with carb cleaner and rodding out the pilots with a twist tie wire, blowing out every orifice with carb cleaner followed by compressed air. This took about an hour and a half, then maybe 1/2 hour for removal and replacement.

Bill

 

[grader]

when you clean carbs pull them off and put them on a clean bench in front of you, no need to work like a dog humping a football in your own shop. 2 coolant lines, 2 fuel lines, a few electrical plugs and their off. do not separate carbs from each other, work on one at a time, do not mix jets. working over the sled risks dropping screws or jets into the bellypan or worse, into the motor.

 

[Len Todd]

All very good advice. I attached some tips, procedure and figure.

 

[ROB_OT]

i have to say that just like these guys are saying a carb cannot be too clean . killerbacon and i ritually clean and sync his rx-1 carbs . and ya know what ... 2 years and not 1 single fuel delivery issue . period ... we also added nice lil clear inline filters just before the fuel pumps to aid in the trash not reaching his jets . it super cheap insurance .

we did the same to my wildcat ... clean clean clean and put filters between the tank and pumps ..

you guys are awsome here ... very helpful . i was raised with tuning forks but ride a cat :shrug:

 

[homerj]

all great info thanks guys