Question for you. Had back surgery and couldn't ride for a while. Now that I can ride, the GL1500 won't idle. I have to use choke to keep it running. Once I take off, it runs as smooth as can be...just won't idle without choke being on. I've researched and from what I've read it can be two things (1) vacumn leak (2) clogged carb jets. I find it hard to believe that it's a vacumn leak since it was running perfectly fine before it set up. I've run two cans of seafoam through the carbs. Finally took it to a shop and they said about 70% of their work is on cleaning carbs because of the ethanol in the gas. He told me never to use seafoam because it eats the bearings up inside the motor...never heard that before....he told me to get a can of Lucas Gas & Oil mixture and try running that through it...if that doesn't do it then bring it in and they will take it apart and clean the jets and carbs. Of course, that's around $500. So today I'm going to get some fresh gas and use a can of the Lucas to see if that helps. Anyone ever heard of seafoam eating the bearings up?
mlsa
Sounds like that mechanic was feeding you some fish oil. I've used Techron on most of my engines and found it to do a great job of cleaning out deposits.
Start with the less expensive and easier steps first. For really dirty jets which you seem to have, double the dose let the bike run at idle until the fans come on, shut the bike down and let is set overnight then the next day take it for a ride. This procedure works well for me.
Start with the less expensive and easier steps first. For really dirty jets which you seem to have, double the dose let the bike run at idle until the fans come on, shut the bike down and let is set overnight then the next day take it for a ride. This procedure works well for me.
Wonder how running sea foam, or anything else for that matter, through the carbs would get to the "bearings inside the motor".:shrug:
Me thinks me would never darken the door of that shop again
4:
Me thinks me would never darken the door of that shop again
4:
sure sounds like dirty carbs and a mechanic that wants to loose business.
Like the others run some cleaner, techron, seafoam, etc and see what happens. Worst case is you will have 20 bucks worth of cleaner attempted and still need carb work. Best case, problem solved. If it's a vac leak, you can isolate it by spraying start fluid in short bursts around any vac hose, if the engine speeds up you're getting close. Typically the vac hoses on 1500s dry rot around high temp areas where there are sharp bends. I hope that helps. Doesn't sound like a vac leak to me though.
The local dealer here charges about 500 for a carb rebuild on a 1500, my uncle just had his done about a month ago.
Like the others run some cleaner, techron, seafoam, etc and see what happens. Worst case is you will have 20 bucks worth of cleaner attempted and still need carb work. Best case, problem solved. If it's a vac leak, you can isolate it by spraying start fluid in short bursts around any vac hose, if the engine speeds up you're getting close. Typically the vac hoses on 1500s dry rot around high temp areas where there are sharp bends. I hope that helps. Doesn't sound like a vac leak to me though.
The local dealer here charges about 500 for a carb rebuild on a 1500, my uncle just had his done about a month ago.
there is a small hose that has a 90 degree bend in it that resides deep inside the nether regions under the fairing, under the mat that covers the top of the motor, I believe on the left side,on top of the motor. These are known to create a large vacuum leak. The (low tech, rough and dirty)test used when one would exhibit your symtoms would be to pull the lower side fairings, get some wd40, start the bike and get it to idle as best you can. Spray the WD40 into those areas you can get the spray into and see if you can get a surge when the carb cleaner finds it's way into the vacuum leak. You will be able to hear a definite and reproducable surge if this is the problem. Three areas to especially check are the line between and on top of the second and third cylinders. the left front of the motor, and the area around the carb bases in the front.
Some people also use an unlit propane torch with a rubber hose for this process. If you can get no hint of a change, you may be into a carb rebuild...
I do hope you find the issue...:thumbup:
Some people also use an unlit propane torch with a rubber hose for this process. If you can get no hint of a change, you may be into a carb rebuild...
I do hope you find the issue...:thumbup:
Like Richard said with a small modification. Make sure you have fresh gas and ride till the reserve light comes on so you only have 1 gallon remaining, add a half can of seafoam or techron and start the bike and let idle for about 15 minutes to get that heavy dose into the carbs then shut it off and let sit for about 24 hours. Start her up and go fill up with fresh 87 and ride. That should clean the low speed jets/idle circut out.
If there is no improvement check for vacumn leaks. I use a propane tank with a hose attached, with the bike at idle if the propane gets sucked into any vacumn line you will hear the engine smooth out and slight increase in RPM.
Next step is carb rebuild.
If there is no improvement check for vacumn leaks. I use a propane tank with a hose attached, with the bike at idle if the propane gets sucked into any vacumn line you will hear the engine smooth out and slight increase in RPM.
Next step is carb rebuild.
Finally gave up and put trike in shop this morning. Been messing with it way too long now...it's getting to be great riding weather and I need to start planning a camping trip and I need my trike running perfect. Even though it's now running better than before it's still not running right. They are going to check the carbs and the hoses for vac leak...I told them to go ahead since they are going to be there anyway and change out the old hoses that are near the carbs..that way I won't have to worry about developing a vacumn leak. Should be ready toward the end of the week.
Took longer than I thought but finally got my trike back today. Runs like a dream. Because I didn't want this happening again in the near future, I had them clean the carbs, replace all fuel lines, and change the air filter while they were there at it anyway. At idle, no more surging. Seems to have little more power and smooth as silk. Now if the rain will just quit.
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