by comanche91 » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:44 pm
Well, I have a problem w. the new Silver Star. I can start, idle, and run about a block or two, then it's starts sputtering, slight back fire, and engine stalls like it's out of fuel. Starts back up just fine, but as soon as you bring the RPMs up, put it in gear, it sputters and stalls again. I can half choke it, and barely make it home still sputtering, like I'm low or out of gas. Things I've done so far that have not corrected the problem or made it worse:
1. Disco the fuel line at the carb, drain the gas tank and refill w. fresh fuel. No help.
2. Disconnect the fuel line from petcock and test fuel flow, all okay.
3. Remove float bowl from the carb, looked clean, test the off/on fuel flow while moving the floats, level and flow both okay.
4. Remove carb, remove needle valve, idle and main jets. Carb looked very clean, no obstructions, cleaned all passages w. carb cleaner and compressed air. Did not remove the top cover to look at the diaphram yet.
According to the PO, the bike has been sitting for quite some time, but it starts instantly and idles fine. The tank shows some interior rust, not bad, while looking in the fuel cap. I have not removed the tank yet or tried to clean it out. I see no separate vent lines for the fuel tank, so am assuming the tank is vented thru the gas cap, not sure. I know of no way to test the cap venting except by replacement. I'm thinking it may be the tank is not venting, and causing a vapor lock. So I'm very stumped here. Can it be anything except a fuel problem? It runs great for short trips, but I really need to travel farther than two blocks or so. I guess the next step is to pull the tank, remove the petcock, and try to flush as best as possible. Really need some advice now as I out of ideas - thanks guys. If I should have posted this in the tech section, sorry if I screwed up.
-Don
1-3/4 1995 Silver Stars