Mainlining Sea Foam?

  • fxdl2051
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Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 09:53 - 30 Oct 2011 09:55
#486043
Before I try taking off the carbs to clean them has anyone tried cleaning them in place? Bike is a '79 KZ1000ST. I was reading of a few guys who ran Sea Foam directly into the carbs to clean carbs. Their bike actually ran on Sea Foam and said it helped a lot to clean the carbs out before gassing back up.
The problem I've got came on pretty suddenly. Few days ago, I ran the bike for about 15 minutes in garage. It started fine but was blowing a lot of condensation out of pipes till it warmed up. Today I jumped on bike and it started but would barely idle and very boggy through entire throttle range. The bike did seem to have a flat spot previously when coming off needle jet, but now it has no power. I live in WA so the air is pretty damp. So what do you think, problem happened in just a few days since last started. The gas was maybe 3 or so weeks old and I already know there must have been some mild varnish in the carbs. The tank is pretty clean so I don't Think there's rust in there. I'll drain the bowels and check for debries. Any other ideas or fixes? I hate pulling carbs if I don't have to.
Thanks all,Ken
Last edit: 30 Oct 2011 09:55 by fxdl2051.

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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 10:09
#486046
Before pulling the carbs you could first try dropping the bowls so you can inspect for varnish. If it's bad you'll see it in the bowls, and you can use a small mirror to inspect the carbs. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 10:26 - 30 Oct 2011 10:26
#486048
fxdl2051 wrote: ... problem I've got came on pretty suddenly... air is pretty damp... problem happened in just a few days since last started.

Perhaps not a carb issue.
Might be an ignition issue, such as spark quality.
Need a fat blue spark.
Damp environment may contribute to whatever ignition weakness is causing weak spark, such as cracked coil, deteriorated plug wires, etc.
Would assure a healthy properly timed spark before addressing the carbs.
Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 30 Oct 2011 10:26 by Patton.
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  • Motor Head
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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 10:29
#486049
Perhaps some water in your fuel? Drain the bowls into a clear container, have a look. If it has water, then drain the tank till its clean of water.
1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
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  • bountyhunter
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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 15:36 - 30 Oct 2011 15:37
#486092
fxdl2051 wrote: Before I try taking off the carbs to clean them has anyone tried cleaning them in place? Bike is a '79 KZ1000ST. I was reading of a few guys who ran Sea Foam directly into the carbs to clean carbs. Their bike actually ran on Sea Foam and said it helped a lot to clean the carbs out before gassing back up.
The problem I've got came on pretty suddenly. Few days ago, I ran the bike for about 15 minutes in garage. It started fine but was blowing a lot of condensation out of pipes till it warmed up. Today I jumped on bike and it started but would barely idle and very boggy through entire throttle range. The bike did seem to have a flat spot previously when coming off needle jet, but now it has no power. I live in WA so the air is pretty damp. So what do you think, problem happened in just a few days since last started. The gas was maybe 3 or so weeks old and I already know there must have been some mild varnish in the carbs. The tank is pretty clean so I don't Think there's rust in there. I'll drain the bowels and check for debries. Any other ideas or fixes? I hate pulling carbs if I don't have to.
Thanks all,Ken

I would take the tank off and petcock assembly and risnse with clean gas or solvent. Inspect for rust. Install inline filters.

For carbs: you can spray carb cleaner in through the gas line and let it sit. Then drain,repeat a few times. That might help, but dropping the bowls and cleaning is better.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 30 Oct 2011 15:37 by bountyhunter.
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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 15:41
#486094
fxdl2051 wrote: The problem I've got came on pretty suddenly. //// would barely idle and very boggy through entire throttle range.
That sounds a lot like mine when a bit of crud would hit one of the jets and block it. Check tank and fuel system for water/sludge/rust.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

30 Oct 2011 16:29
#486098
I'm going with the flow on this one. Maybe the Seafoam loosened some stuff up that just went and clogged your jets. How long did you let it run before you added the Seafoam? How long did you let it run with the Seafoam? And then how long did you let it sit after running with the Seafoam in it?
A buddy of mine got a bike that was sitting since 1995 with gas in the tank. It wasn't winterized at all. He got some stuff called 44K and got it in the system and let it sit for a couple of days. He cleaned out the tank, put in some new gas, and the bike started on the 3rd crank. It's been running ever since.

But Pattons recommendation about checking your spark is a very good idea.
Michael
1980 KZ1000 shaft drive
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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

01 Nov 2011 06:01
#486440
hi there, swap the plugs first.they are easier and can give a whole world of troublesthat seem carby related.PLUGS FIRST. wayno

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Re: Mainlining Sea Foam?

01 Nov 2011 06:03
#486441
Great advice, thanks guys. I threw a littl Seafoam in tank, but it gets weirder. I had just installed a solid state turn signal blinker before all this happened. I took it out today, put the old one back in and the bike started right up, no problems. I'm no electrical genuis, but I wonder if the new ts blinker caused some kinda weird impedence bump in the line. Which shouldn't make any difference since the thing wasn't "on" but hey what ever, it's running now???
ss^,Ken

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