Carb Probs - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

jode · 07-21-2009, 10:22 AM

So after who knows how many years sitting, I was able to revive our new '01 TRX250 last night after opening up the carb and degumming it. It was the worst carburetor that either myself or my buddy had ever seen and I actually had to pry the needle out of the seat with a screwdriver due to all the build up. It was amazing how much gunk was in there. Anyway, after we got it running, we had to adjust the idle up a bit to get it to idle but it was intermittently idling faster then slower. I was able to do a few spins around the driveway (during which time it ran strong, but did backfire a littlebit during shifts) before it just totally quit and will just barely fire up a tiny bit, but not really run any more. I am wondering if maybe some gunk came down the line from the gas tank and gummed things up again or if something else might be going on, but just wanted to run it past y'all to see if you have any suggestions (other than just pulling the carb again to have a look.)

Duke70 · 07-21-2009, 12:20 PM

Hey Jode,

Frist off

to the forum

It would be a good ideal to flush out the gas tank and replace the gas line & filter, Also it wouldn't be a bad ideal to take your carb back apart and do another good cleaning on it, it is a good chance it got some more trash in the carb from the gas line, I would let it soak in carb cleaner for a while before putting it back together

I have run into this in the past working on older bikes that has been setting up and it can be a pain in the butt doing all this but well worth it afterwards

Also it wouldn't be a bad ideal to fill your tank with high octane fuel and put some seafoam additive in it as well this would help clean out anything you might have missed

jode · 07-21-2009, 12:37 PM

QUOTE (Duke70 @ Jul 21 2009, 11:20 AM)

Quote:

Hey Jode,
Frist off

to the forum

Thank you

QUOTE (Duke70 @ Jul 21 2009, 11:20 AM)

Quote:

It would be a good ideal to flush out the gas tank and replace the gas line & filter

Interesting. I looked in the manual under the regular maintenance and under the fuel system and couldn't find anything on the filter, so I assumed there was none. I haven't pulled the tank yet though, so there certainly could be one hiding under there. I guess that may be the thing to do. I did siphon off all the old gas and refilled it with new gas before rebuilding the carb, but it certainly is not without possibility that it still had gunk in it.

What is the best method to "flush out the tank"?
Can I use just a generic little cheapo fuel filter from the local auto parts store?

I guess I'll plan on redoing the carb tonight. Hurray to Honda for using those O-rings instead of gaskets - makes the job so much easier.

jode · 07-21-2009, 05:29 PM

UPDATE

I just went out and pulled the tank. Here are some observations:

1. There is definitely no fuel filter between the tank and the carb
2. After I pulled the tank, I drained the remaining gallon or so of fuel from it and was horrified to see it flowing a greyish/blackish color for the first few seconds of flow.
3. After letting the gas drain mostly out through the stopcock on the bottom of the tank and through the line, I turned the tank upside down and poured the remainder out through the fill tube. It was a reddish color. This tank is nasty!
4. I will definitely be disassembling/cleaning the carb again tonight (after seeing what has been going through it)

So, back to the question, what is the best way to clean out a gas tank that is smegged up? I could hose it out and then let it sit for a day in the sun to dry it out, but would that cause any problems?

Duke70 · 07-21-2009, 06:41 PM

Filter: sense there wasn't 1 inline then there should be 1 on the petcock inside the tank then, make sure the valve is open and take carb cleaner and spray it back through the petcock so it will flush it out. Do this on both settings full fuel & in reserve this way it will flush it all out, It would be a good ideal to pick up a fuel filter to put inline, aleast till you run a few tanks of gas through it, Just pick up 1 that is use for riding mowers would be fine and any parts house should have them

Gas Tank: Get some carb cleaner that is pourable and use that to clean your tank out, don't use it all at 1 time that way you can keep slashing it around to make sure you get it all cleaned out, If you can't find any that is pourable get you a couple spray cans ,

Carb: When putting your carb back together use " Vaseline " on the O'rings this makes for a better seal and it will also come them pliable, I also use it on all gaskets as well, I keep a jar of it in my toolbox at all times

budmc77 · 07-21-2009, 09:51 PM

QUOTE (Duke70 @ Jul 21 2009, 06:41 PM)

Quote:

Filter: sense there wasn't 1 inline then there should be 1 on the petcock inside the tank then, make sure the valve is open and take carb cleaner and spray it back through the petcock so it will flush it out. Do this on both settings full fuel & in reserve this way it will flush it all out, It would be a good ideal to pick up a fuel filter to put inline, aleast till you run a few tanks of gas through it, Just pick up 1 that is use for riding mowers would be fine and any parts house should have them

Gas Tank: Get some carb cleaner that is pourable and use that to clean your tank out, don't use it all at 1 time that way you can keep slashing it around to make sure you get it all cleaned out, If you can't find any that is pourable get you a couple spray cans ,

Carb: When putting your carb back together use " Vaseline " on the O'rings this makes for a better seal and it will also come them pliable, I also use it on all gaskets as well, I keep a jar of it in my toolbox at all times

Why don't you just use some regular grease instead of Vaseline? Seems like the grease would work just fine too, right? I always have a can or tube of grease laying around...but great idea bout the Vaseline.

jode · 07-22-2009, 12:23 PM

UPDATE:
I cleaned the tank with a gallon of B12 Chemtool carb cleaner and it worked out pretty good. I also installed an inline fuel filter (with clear sides) and I can tell that there is no longer nasty fuel coming out of the tank.

Thanks for all the help - on to the next problem

Duke70 · 07-30-2009, 12:56 AM

QUOTE (budmc77 @ Jul 22 2009, 01:51 AM)

Quote:

Why don't you just use some regular grease instead of Vaseline? Seems like the grease would work just fine too, right? I always have a can or tube of grease laying around...but great idea bout the Vaseline.

No the grease wouldn't work just fine. Sorry

Vaseline has been used in shops sense the beginning, 99% of all mechanics & shops has a jar in there tool box or the shop has it for when they need it, also you will find it in alot of mills being used on all rubber gaskets & O-rings

Vaseline is a all purpose lube

You wouldn't use regular grease on your chapped lips an expect your wife/girlfriend to kiss you, now your dog will because they are happier to see you then your better half is,

Dont know what made me think of this but I had to give everybody a good laugh,,, LOL

07-21-2009, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Duke70 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 454	Hey Jode, Frist off to the forum It would be a good ideal to flush out the gas tank and replace the gas line & filter, Also it wouldn't be a bad ideal to take your carb back apart and do another good cleaning on it, it is a good chance it got some more trash in the carb from the gas line, I would let it soak in carb cleaner for a while before putting it back together I have run into this in the past working on older bikes that has been setting up and it can be a pain in the butt doing all this but well worth it afterwards Also it wouldn't be a bad ideal to fill your tank with high octane fuel and put some seafoam additive in it as well this would help clean out anything you might have missed __________________ To all members PLEASE add your location to your profile 06 Honda Foreman 500s 30'' Mudlites HL Springs & 2'' SS lift front 01 450 swingarm custom lift rear Custom Built Snorkel & Powder Coated 2500 Warn Winch Warn Front Bumper Benson Rear Bumper 170 main-jet & 48 slow-jet K&N air & oil filters Powder Coating http://www.pcitdad.com/ Rear Lift for Swing-arm Conversion 450 arm on a 500 http://www.pcitdad.com/lift-kit.html

07-21-2009, 06:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Duke70 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 454	Filter: sense there wasn't 1 inline then there should be 1 on the petcock inside the tank then, make sure the valve is open and take carb cleaner and spray it back through the petcock so it will flush it out. Do this on both settings full fuel & in reserve this way it will flush it all out, It would be a good ideal to pick up a fuel filter to put inline, aleast till you run a few tanks of gas through it, Just pick up 1 that is use for riding mowers would be fine and any parts house should have them Gas Tank: Get some carb cleaner that is pourable and use that to clean your tank out, don't use it all at 1 time that way you can keep slashing it around to make sure you get it all cleaned out, If you can't find any that is pourable get you a couple spray cans , Carb: When putting your carb back together use " Vaseline " on the O'rings this makes for a better seal and it will also come them pliable, I also use it on all gaskets as well, I keep a jar of it in my toolbox at all times __________________ To all members PLEASE add your location to your profile 06 Honda Foreman 500s 30'' Mudlites HL Springs & 2'' SS lift front 01 450 swingarm custom lift rear Custom Built Snorkel & Powder Coated 2500 Warn Winch Warn Front Bumper Benson Rear Bumper 170 main-jet & 48 slow-jet K&N air & oil filters Powder Coating http://www.pcitdad.com/ Rear Lift for Swing-arm Conversion 450 arm on a 500 http://www.pcitdad.com/lift-kit.html

07-21-2009, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
jode Honda Rider Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 18	So after who knows how many years sitting, I was able to revive our new '01 TRX250 last night after opening up the carb and degumming it. It was the worst carburetor that either myself or my buddy had ever seen and I actually had to pry the needle out of the seat with a screwdriver due to all the build up. It was amazing how much gunk was in there. Anyway, after we got it running, we had to adjust the idle up a bit to get it to idle but it was intermittently idling faster then slower. I was able to do a few spins around the driveway (during which time it ran strong, but did backfire a littlebit during shifts) before it just totally quit and will just barely fire up a tiny bit, but not really run any more. I am wondering if maybe some gunk came down the line from the gas tank and gummed things up again or if something else might be going on, but just wanted to run it past y'all to see if you have any suggestions (other than just pulling the carb again to have a look.)

07-21-2009, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
jode Honda Rider Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 18	UPDATE I just went out and pulled the tank. Here are some observations: 1. There is definitely no fuel filter between the tank and the carb 2. After I pulled the tank, I drained the remaining gallon or so of fuel from it and was horrified to see it flowing a greyish/blackish color for the first few seconds of flow. 3. After letting the gas drain mostly out through the stopcock on the bottom of the tank and through the line, I turned the tank upside down and poured the remainder out through the fill tube. It was a reddish color. This tank is nasty! 4. I will definitely be disassembling/cleaning the carb again tonight (after seeing what has been going through it) So, back to the question, what is the best way to clean out a gas tank that is smegged up? I could hose it out and then let it sit for a day in the sun to dry it out, but would that cause any problems?

07-22-2009, 12:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
jode Honda Rider Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 18	UPDATE: I cleaned the tank with a gallon of B12 Chemtool carb cleaner and it worked out pretty good. I also installed an inline fuel filter (with clear sides) and I can tell that there is no longer nasty fuel coming out of the tank. Thanks for all the help - on to the next problem

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