Carb flushing/cleaning and question about disconnected line

472 Views 36 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Checkered Floor Garage, 1 d ago

Hrk

Discussion Starter · 19 d ago (Edited)

2

Hi. So I bought 2005 VN750 that doesn't run after standing idle for a year or two fully understanding the risks. Now I'm learning the bike by going through manual and Checkered Floor Garage video. I'm an engineer so I enjoy learning new stuff, but I am totally new with bikes so I have some questions:
1. Is there a video on how to flush carburetors specifically for VN750? I'm thinking to flush, pour some SeaFoam and see if it helps before planning something more radical.
2. I read somewhere that injecting starting fluid could help. Is there a video or short instruction on how to do it?
3. While inspecting carburetor and fuel system I found this line that is not connected anywhere at bottom but has traces of being connected. Line goes from top of carburetor. What could it be? (Pictured from left side of the bike)

Automotive tire Tire Automotive design Wheel Vehicle

Automotive tire Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design Rim

See less See more

Reactions: 1

21 - 37 of 37 Posts

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #21 · 13 d ago

Are there any reference pictures around? Yours is 2003, are you able to get to the screw with straight screwdriver?

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #22 · 13 d ago

This is the screenshot from Checkered Floor Garage video, it looks like this bracket is in the way of the screw, in the same manner as mine.

Automotive design Font Personal luxury car Motor vehicle Screenshot

See less See more

Spockster

· #23 · 13 d ago

Hrk said:
This is the screenshot from Checkered Floor Garage video, it looks like this bracket is in the way of the screw, in the same manner as mine.
View attachment 56545

You probably need a ball hex. I don't think the bracket can bend much without breaking the carb.

Unless one of the single Allen wrenches with the bend will fit in there. It's probably metric too.

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #24 · 13 d ago

Right, totally forgot about single Allen wrenches, so frustrating. I will give it a try (I do have metric set) and if it doesn't fit I will just purchase a ball hex. Finally learnt what they are for. Thank you!

Spockster

· #25 · 13 d ago

Hrk said:
Right, totally forgot about single Allen wrenches, so frustrating. I will give it a try (I do have metric set) and if it doesn't fit I will just purchase a ball hex. Finally learnt what they are for. Thank you!

You might be able to bend one, or cut the tip off so it's shorter.

A 1/4" swivel might help, but could be too long.

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #26 · 13 d ago

So regular 3mm Allen wrench did the job, because it's so thin. I feel so stupid because I totally forgot about their existence! Thank you, @Spockster!

Reactions: 1

mmart

· #27 · 13 d ago

Or these 😉

EKLIND 17222 Double-Ball-Hex L-Key allen wrench Combo- Extra Long Inch / MM (2 sets 22pc) Pack of 1 https://a.co/d/9318xuX

Reactions: 1

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #28 · 11 d ago

5

1. Loose line (carb venting)

Spockster said:
The loose hose might be one of the carb vents.
...
Two vent hoses come out of the carbs to a tee fitting, then a single hose runs to a specific hole in the back of one air filter housing. Can't let the vent get any wind because that stops fuel flow at highway speed.

You were right, this loose line indeed was coming from T-fitting, two other ends coming from carb. I inserted it into the right air filter housing, in the plastic cylinder with opening at the bottom. I have a question however. If that's a vent line, it should allow to vent out whatever is coming out of it, right? If I insert this line all the way into plastic cylinder, then line end would press against the filter housing and no venting would be possible, as housing will "close" the line hole. If I insert it half-way or so, venting will be possible because of the opening on the bottom of plastic cylinder. So should I insert it half way?

Hood Tire Automotive lighting Automotive tire Wheel

2. Fuel lines mixed up? I noticed that two fuel lines coming out of petcock are maybe mixed up. In this video of @Checkered Floor Garage left petcock line goes to right (rear part of carb) and right petcock line goes to left (front side of carb). Does it matter which way they go? Or both lines are always open at the same time and it doesn't matter which way they go?
Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest -

Automotive exhaust Automotive lighting Gas Motor vehicle Automotive exterior

3. T-valve is missing on small hose out of suction valve? In the video there's a "rear side facing t-valve", hose from suction valve is connected to it, and then 2nd connection goes down to right side of carb. On my bike there's no t-valve, hose goes from suction valve straight to right side of carb. Is it normal or should I have this t-valve. And where does 3rd hose from t-connection go?

Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest

Screenshots from video:

Automotive fuel system Gas Nut Auto part Metal

Motor vehicle Automotive tire Vehicle Automotive design Rim

4. Coolant line in wrong place. I have also noticed coolant line is in the wrong place and was pinched a tad by fuel tank. I can't figure out which way should I feed it, is seems that there's no place under the right goffered tube . How exactly it should go?

Motor vehicle Hood Automotive design Auto part Gas

See less See more

Spockster

· #29 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Hrk said:
1. Loose line (carb venting)

You were right, this loose line indeed was coming from T-fitting, two other ends coming from carb. I inserted it into the right air filter housing, in the plastic cylinder with opening at the bottom. I have a question however. If that's a vent line, it should allow to vent out whatever is coming out of it, right? If I insert this line all the way into plastic cylinder, then line end would press against the filter housing and no venting would be possible, as housing will "close" the line hole. If I insert it half-way or so, venting will be possible because of the opening on the bottom of plastic cylinder. So should I insert it half way?
View attachment 56551

2. Fuel lines mixed up? I noticed that two fuel lines coming out of petcock are maybe mixed up. In this video of @Checkered Floor Garage left petcock line goes to right (rear part of carb) and right petcock line goes to left (front side of carb). Does it matter which way they go? Or both lines are always open at the same time and it doesn't matter which way they go?
Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest -

View attachment 56552

3. T-valve is missing on small hose out of suction valve? In the video there's a "rear side facing t-valve", hose from suction valve is connected to it, and then 2nd connection goes down to right side of carb. On my bike there's no t-valve, hose goes from suction valve straight to right side of carb. Is it normal or should I have this t-valve. And where does 3rd hose from t-connection go?

Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest

Screenshots from video:
View attachment 56553
View attachment 56554

4. Coolant line in wrong place. I have also noticed coolant line is in the wrong place and was pinched a tad by fuel tank. I can't figure out which way should I feed it, is seems that there's no place under the right goffered tube . How exactly it should go?

View attachment 56555

1) cut the end at a 45 degree angle and push it all the way in.

2) it doesn't matter.

3) Where in the video? I'm not sure unless his bike has California emissions, I don't think mine had a tee.

4) That's not a coolant hose. It looks more like a vent but can you identify where it's connected? You can probably just route it under the coolant hose to the right in the picture.

Edit... Maybe it is a coolant hose from beside the radiator cap to the bottom of the coolant tank.

Reactions: 1

Buddy

· #30 · 11 d ago

Hrk said:
1. Loose line (carb venting)

You were right, this loose line indeed was coming from T-fitting, two other ends coming from carb. I inserted it into the right air filter housing, in the plastic cylinder with opening at the bottom. I have a question however. If that's a vent line, it should allow to vent out whatever is coming out of it, right? If I insert this line all the way into plastic cylinder, then line end would press against the filter housing and no venting would be possible, as housing will "close" the line hole. If I insert it half-way or so, venting will be possible because of the opening on the bottom of plastic cylinder. So should I insert it half way?
View attachment 56551

2. Fuel lines mixed up? I noticed that two fuel lines coming out of petcock are maybe mixed up. In this video of @Checkered Floor Garage left petcock line goes to right (rear part of carb) and right petcock line goes to left (front side of carb). Does it matter which way they go? Or both lines are always open at the same time and it doesn't matter which way they go?
Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest -

View attachment 56552

3. T-valve is missing on small hose out of suction valve? In the video there's a "rear side facing t-valve", hose from suction valve is connected to it, and then 2nd connection goes down to right side of carb. On my bike there's no t-valve, hose goes from suction valve straight to right side of carb. Is it normal or should I have this t-valve. And where does 3rd hose from t-connection go?

Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest

Screenshots from video:
View attachment 56553
View attachment 56554

4. Coolant line in wrong place. I have also noticed coolant line is in the wrong place and was pinched a tad by fuel tank. I can't figure out which way should I feed it, is seems that there's no place under the right goffered tube . How exactly it should go?

View attachment 56555

Hrk said:
1. Loose line (carb venting)

You were right, this loose line indeed was coming from T-fitting, two other ends coming from carb. I inserted it into the right air filter housing, in the plastic cylinder with opening at the bottom. I have a question however. If that's a vent line, it should allow to vent out whatever is coming out of it, right? If I insert this line all the way into plastic cylinder, then line end would press against the filter housing and no venting would be possible, as housing will "close" the line hole. If I insert it half-way or so, venting will be possible because of the opening on the bottom of plastic cylinder. So should I insert it half way?
View attachment 56551

2. Fuel lines mixed up? I noticed that two fuel lines coming out of petcock are maybe mixed up. In this video of @Checkered Floor Garage left petcock line goes to right (rear part of carb) and right petcock line goes to left (front side of carb). Does it matter which way they go? Or both lines are always open at the same time and it doesn't matter which way they go?
Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest -

View attachment 56552

3. T-valve is missing on small hose out of suction valve? In the video there's a "rear side facing t-valve", hose from suction valve is connected to it, and then 2nd connection goes down to right side of carb. On my bike there's no t-valve, hose goes from suction valve straight to right side of carb. Is it normal or should I have this t-valve. And where does 3rd hose from t-connection go?

Reference video fragment should play from the timestamp of interest

Screenshots from video:
View attachment 56553
View attachment 56554

4. Coolant line in wrong place. I have also noticed coolant line is in the wrong place and was pinched a tad by fuel tank. I can't figure out which way should I feed it, is seems that there's no place under the right goffered tube . How exactly it should go?

View attachment 56555

Frank I believe your bike is the California model I don’t know if those hoses are the same air cut off switch as well as the other hoses run to the canister and then another part

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #31 · 10 d ago

Spockster said:
3) Where in the video? I'm not sure unless his bike has California emissions, I don't think mine had a tee.

If you click on video it should start playing it at 3:13 timestamp.
Here's link to this part of video again -

Spockster said:
4) That's not a coolant hose. It looks more like a vent but can you identify where it's connected? You can probably just route it under the coolant hose to the right in the picture.

Edit... Maybe it is a coolant hose from beside the radiator cap to the bottom of the coolant tank.

That's is 100% coolant hose coming from bottom of the coolant tank and going to this radiator cap. Question is how it is suppose to go? Definitely not like mine, on top of everything.

Hood Automotive tire Automotive lighting Bicycle tire Tire

See less See more

Spockster

· #32 · 10 d ago

Hrk said:
If you click on video it should start playing it at 3:13 timestamp.
Here's link to this part of video again -

That's is 100% coolant hose coming from bottom of the coolant tank and going to this radiator cap. Question is how it is suppose to go? Definitely not like mine, on top of everything.

View attachment 56558

The vacuum line for the suction valve on my bike goes directly from the right side carb to the suction valve, there's no tee. The only tee I have is for the carb vents.

Just run the coolant tank hose anywhere that it doesn't get pinched. Under the larger coolant hose should be fine.

Reactions: 1

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #33 · 10 d ago

Thank you for confirming this. Seeing a bit of sloppy job of prev owner/mechanic I thought it's better to check.

Buddy

· #34 · 8 d ago

Hrk said:
Thank you for confirming this. Seeing a bit of sloppy job of prev owner/mechanic I thought it's better to check.

Spockster said:
The vacuum line for the suction valve on my bike goes directly from the right side carb to the suction valve, there's no tee. The only tee I have is for the carb vents.

Just run the coolant tank hose anywhere that it doesn't get pinched. Under the larger coolant hose should be fine.

Frank I think it’s important to mention your gas tank and system is a California emission system the hose configuration is different then non California set ups

Hrk

Discussion Starter · #35 · 2 d ago

Just wanted to thank everyone. Though I was not able to revive the bike, I have learnt many things that will come handy in maintenance and small repairs. I had to get bike to mechanic and after removing and cleaning of carbs (I think he also mentioned syncing?) it back on road.

Reactions: 1

Checkered Floor Garage

· #36 · 1 d ago

Buddy said:
Frank I think it’s important to mention your gas tank and system is a California emission system the hose configuration is different then non California set ups

Yes, after you pointed this out for me Buddy I updated the description to point this out.

Reactions: 1

Checkered Floor Garage

· #37 · 1 d ago

Hrk said:
Just wanted to thank everyone. Though I was not able to revive the bike, I have learnt many things that will come handy in maintenance and small repairs. I had to get bike to mechanic and after removing and cleaning of carbs (I think he also mentioned syncing?) it back on road.

One of the hardest decisions in life you will face is whether to try harder or walk away. I wasn't able to read every single post here in this thread, but you definitely gave this a good try. And carb work is not easy! Your mechanic will take care of this and you'll be back on the road before you know it.

Reactions: 1

21 - 37 of 37 Posts