Running Rough

[old son]

 have just taken my Fazer for MOT after being laid up for 6 months or so. It started off running very rough, almost like it was running on 3 or even 2!! After it warmed up it got slightly better and now pulls cleanly over around 3.5k. Below it still pulls like a GS. I have put it 11 litres of new fuel and added some Redex .

Should I be looking at plugs first or does it sound like a blocked jet and if it is how do I clean that?

[tomlinscote]

Maybe take it for a long run first then see if problem remains.

I once left mine in a cellar from August till February, battery was flat but once going took it on 100 mile run and the next day it was fine.

Only once had a rough running problem at low revs and it was a damp plug.

Tommo

[Tmation]

get some carb/injector cleaner for the fuel, if it's fine above 3.500 rpm it will be the first set of jets (pilot/idle).


When you store your bike over winter etc. put some fuel stabiliser (from eBay) in the fuel

[old son]

Isn't Redex a carb cleaner? I think it is.

[Tmation]

 Which Redex did you use as there are lots of varieties? RDX 02 is the one for carbs I think.


You might need to run it through a few times



Make sure the air filter isn't dirty as this can also cause problems.


You may have to pull the carbs to clean them properly, do you know anyone with an ultrasonic bath as they work like magic.

[Falcon 269]

The Redex I recall was an upper cylinder lubricant but that was in the black and white days.

Redline is a good carb cleaner additive, available via ebay and other places.

Almost sure to be blocked pilots and/or idle circuit passages.

[old son]

The Redex I used is fuel syst cleaner. I drained the carbs then took the bike for a 50 mile run. Seems fine now. I am thinking I need to add some form of fuel additive to keep it fresh. The problem is I have two fazers and can only ride one at a time. Anybody have any recommendations for fuel preserver?

[Tmation]

This is what I have used for over 20 years and bike always starts first press of the button after winter storage.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Eagle-Concentrated-Stabilizer-22204-1104/dp/B000LNS9SQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1436133845&sr=1-2&keywords=sta-bil

[old son]

Just ordered some! It stats it treats 5 gallons. Do you use one bottle full per lay up?

[Tmation]

I have always bought mine is a bigger bottle and just followed the instructions. It was the only size I could see on Amazon yesterday, it is normally on eBay as well.


The picture says treats 10 gallons, as it is made in the USA (4L per gallon) I would have thought half the bottle would do one Gen 1 tank

[old son]

The description says it treats 5 gallons. Whatever, thanks for the link.

[steve pring]

Hi
 
I think I've just experienced exactly the same symptoms as old son had.
 
Funnily enough just before my mot and after a long lay up.
Sounds as if running on 2 or 3 etc.
 
I've drained the tank and ran engine till it stopped, then added some fresh fuel.
 
Still the same symptoms exist. Would taking it for a thrashing help?
 
Mike suggested blocked pilots and/or idle circuit passages.
 
Whats the best/easiest way to deal with this and how do you drain the carbs?
 
Any other things I should also look at preferably in a trouble shooting order?
 
Many thanks
Steve
 
 

[Falcon 269]

Carb drains are socket head screws on the bottom of the float bowls.  Be careful when you re-tighten as it's easy to crack the casting if you're heavy-handed.

Thrashing doesn't help because the problem is due to blockages in the carb circuits affecting small throttle openings, not WFO.

Short of taking carbs out and removing jets to clean manually, best bet is to run a few tanks with carb cleaner and offer up a prayer. 

[steve pring]

Thanks for that Mike.
 
Yes, after draining old fuel out, I've just found out that thrashing it doesnt improve the situation.
 
Will try the carb cleaner and a prayer mat next 
 
Any best recommendations on the carb cleaner? I should have got out on it more often, my fault.
 
Thanks again.
 
Steve

[solorider]

I had the same problem, I took my carbs off to clean them. 

[Falcon 269]

Redline seems to work well for many folks here but there are plenty of similar products out there, any of which will help.