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Transalp sitting still for 2 months, carb weak spot, any ideas for cleaning? Transalp sitting still for 2 months, carb weak spot, any ideas for cleaning?
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  #1  
Old 22 Feb 2009
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Transalp sitting still for 2 months, carb weak spot, any ideas for cleaning?
Hi there,

Just got my bike back, it sat for 2 months in a shop with a full tank, and I notice that there are weak spots in the carb when I pull away, like as if it wants to die, in fact it did stall sometimes. looks good at the green light.

It cruises funny too, like as if its rough instead of smooth.

Im thinking its a fuel problem being fuel that sat 2 months, any way i can clean it without having to take the card out? (15 hour job)

Thanks.

Nice 200 km ride yesterday never the less. Nice to have some blue skies again.
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Old 22 Feb 2009
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I'd bet it clears Best,
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Old 22 Feb 2009
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Hi thanks for that mollydog, Ive got a fuel additive which is pink in colour, I think its for lining the insides of the carb and I would imagine cleaning the fuel, it mixes 1 capful for 10 litres. I'm guessing that would be good to start what do you think?

It's called lead substitue bye Wynn's

It says : Suitable for all petrol engines with or without turbocharger. Lubricates valves and reduces their wear by forming a lead free protective film on the valve seats. Does not harm catalytic converters.

What do you think?
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Old 22 Feb 2009
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I have no idea

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Old 22 Feb 2009
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Ok thanks for that, I'll look for the right stuff. and put the lead substitute back in the storage cupboard. Cheers.
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Old 22 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Ask around for the best one in the UK .... I have no idea what you've got over
there!
Maybe better asking around in France, since that's where he is...

Unleaded fuel goes 'stale' quite quickly, a couple of months may be enough for it to have gone off a bit.

If it's really rough, I'd be tempted to drain the tank and refill it with fresh fuel and an additive as Patrick recommends. Good advice about draining the carbs too, as any water will have collected there.

If it's not too bad, you may get away with diluting the old fuel with new as you top up as normal. I'd still drain the carbs though.

Also, you could remove the air filter and spray an aerosol of carb cleaner into the intakes to help remove any gunk and varnish that may have accumulated in there. You should be able to get this in any car parts store.

Who told you it was a 15 hour job to get the carbs out..?

Was it the dealer by any chance...?!
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Old 22 Feb 2009
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Cheers crusty, naa no mechanic telling me nothin, I remember taking my tank off once, spent most of the time getting the fairing off before anything else, that's why I just guessed a 15 hour job. But I've got the right info here, drained the carb already, fill her up tommorrow with clean fuel it should be sweet.

later.
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Old 23 Feb 2009
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Regards tank and bodywork removal:
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  #9  
Old 23 Feb 2009
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Thumbs up Good fix for "terminally" clogged carbs
There's a Yamalube product, available from Yamaha agents that works very well too. Tip it into the tank and ride. I restore old bikes, which often have been sitting for years and years with old fuel and sometimes the jets and fuel galleries are just chocka with green varnish from evaporated fuel. Nothing will get through so you can't run the moter. For this stuff, if you don't follow the instructions on the can. For really clogged carbs, a 50/50 mix of Yamaha carb cleaner and water, then dismantle the carb and simmer for 20-30 minutes in a paint can over a camp cooker. Brush and wash in water and blow out with compressed air or air dry, the carb comes out looking like new. Doesn't touch rubber or brass, just removes oxides and deposits. Keep the mixed liquid and reuse. Mine has done at least 20 carbs over 10 years.

Regards

Nigel in NZ
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Old 23 Feb 2009
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Nice choice of bike, I had the carbs off for the first time by myself on an 05 TA and it honestly took less then 3 hours to get off, completely clean and replace. I don't know how long you had the bike before this problem occurred but might be useful to give it a full clean anyway.

Outside of the carb can be cleaned with kerosene but make sure you oil the springs before going for a ride. The inside you can use the same but best to get specialist carb cleaner. I think someone also mentioned a product you can just spray directly into the carbs as the engine is running. I did this in Pakistan and seemed pretty effective but my problem was smaller than yours.

Good luck with it all,
Ol
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  #11  
Old 23 Feb 2009
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Well, after purging the carbs, and filling up, she's running nicely, weak spot has gone, probably still could do with some more engine hours to clean it out. Well happy that it's back to normal.

Thanks guys(not prejuduce to ladies of course).
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