Is my carb/fuel system clogged with sand?

guile · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Karma :

So when we had some workmen at my house digging up the concrete paths and re-laying them, I left my bike there for 5 days. After 5 days, my bike had problems. It was harder to start (still fairly easy though - just need more and longer throttle).

But upon going into idle, it will wobble and eventually stall. The only way I can get it run ok is if I move off with the (auto) choke still running and just get it running for 1 minute. If I stop at a junction within that 1 minute, it will cut out and I have to leave for a while before struggling to start it.

One of my suspicions for these new problems was the sand and dust from the workmen which is all over the place where I keep my bike (even today which is a couple of months after they left). I checked my air filter and it appeared to be ok IMO. But now I notice (not sure when it appeared) that there is sandy sediment within the outer inner parts of the fuel tank (see pic - not sure how it gets in there - little holes in the fuel cap?) There was slightly more sediment there but I wiped some of it.

Do you think this means that some of the sand has got in and clogged the system? I'm trying to get the bike fixed under warranty. Will warranty cover clogged carburetors/fuel systems or will they charge me (if so how much)?

Can I clean it? I'm not taking the carb off as I'm a noob, it's under warratny and I have heard you have to remove the subframe (?) on this model.

Really hoping for some lifesaver replies here because I need them.

gandy666 · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Karma :

can see the sand getting into the fuel / carbs if the tank cap is sealed and closed.

air filter is a possible.

take the air filter out and see how she runs \ idles without it. could look fine but obviously we are talking about dust particles which are microscopic.

have you got a fuel filter in the bike? if there was crap in the tank maybe thats blocked.

usually a small one attached to the before the fuel tap, or there may be before the main fuel line into the carb.

dunno about warranty mate, but start with the air filter.

dodgy idling is usually a pilot jet / bad vacuum issue, assuming your bike is not injection. I've had this problem myself on a GS500 and my current GSX1100 and once I checked that the filter was ok, a couple of carb rebuild kits solved the problem.

Suntan Sid · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2009 Karma :

I live in a very dusty climate, I've got bikes I don't start for months, but don't have problems starting other than batteries.
IMO, it's more likely to be the fact that you didn't start it for a while.
Get it going and take it for an "Italian" tune up, (max revs for a mile or so), report back.
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gandy666 · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Karma :

sorry that should have read 'CANT see the sand getting into the tank

guile · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Karma :

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

drain the contents of the float bowl into a clear glass beaker and check for shite.
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gandy666 · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Karma :

fuel in the airbox suggests floats in the carb are dodgy. too much fuel getting in, floats not shutting off one of the jets properly. there's a little plunger in there that hangs off the tang.

take the carbs off, bowls off, see how the rubber is. if the floats just fall out you'll need a couple of carb rebuild kits. or you might get away with cleaning the jets / pilots.

had something similar with mine. eventually took the carbs off, stripped, ultrasonicced, then carb rebuild kits fixed it.

cost about 12 quid a kit, did the rest myself, not that hard. one bonues is i have a mate with access to an ultrasonnicker