Bizzare running FJ

[fj1289]

If you really want to eliminate a lot of maybe's you also need to run rhubarbray's carbs on fjpierre's bike. 

Reason is, swapping carbs will also touch a few other things like fuel line runs, fuel filter, etc.  Just because fjpierre's carbs run well on rhubarbray's bike doesn't mean rhubarbray's carbs were bad - could have dislodged something in the fuel filter, could have unkinked a fuel line, even removing and replacing the carbs could dislodge something.  Stranger things have happened! 

Good luck and let us know how it goes - always trying to learn!

[Marsh White]

I (and I think most others here) still think a good carb cleaning will fix your problem.  I usually use about 1 1/2 to 2 cans of carb cleaner on mine when I clean them.  That little red straw on the can has cleared any debris for me EVERYTIME - I've never even used compressed air on mine.  I understand that you say your carbs are clean, clean, clean.  And that we are getting annoying with our repetition - but you asked!   Just sayin'

[rhubarbray]

Update!! Well I took FJRPierre up on his offer and tried his carbs on my bike. And it ran!! So it is the carbs. I didn`t put my carbs on his as he had to return the FJ to his son and we had run out of time.

So I took the carbs apart for the fourth time! And I had my dad with me to check everything and every passage is clean and clear! HOWEVER,....for the sake of argument I`m going to take the stripped carbs to a local mechanic who has a large ultrasonic cleaner tank.

So to all of you who said carbs...you were right. I`ll see what happens when I get the carbs back from the dunk.

Ray

[simi_ed]

Ray, here's a thought.  I recently purchased some pilot jets.  1 set was for my dad's FJ.  Before he installed them, he took a close look & sure enough, 1 of the BRAND NEW JETS was clogged!  Maybe you have a similar situation?

Glad to hear you're on the trail.  Nothing like a big ultrasonic cleaner to get the crud out.

Ed

[fj1289]

Glad you're making progress!

[andyb]

Update!! Well I took FJRPierre up on his offer and tried his carbs on my bike. And it ran!! So it is the carbs. I didn`t put my carbs on his as he had to return the FJ to his son and we had run out of time.

Or it was something you disturbed when you physically swapped them.  (But it's a really little chance, odds are it was the carbs.... just keep it in mind, you can fool yourself sometimes.)

[rhubarbray]

I just threw on a spare set of carbs I had. I hadn`t used them before now because I seem to remember them having a plugged passage when I checked them 5 or 6 years ago and I just never got around to them as mine were working fine. Yeah, whoops!

So I threw them on anyway after a couple of flushes and put in a K&N I had laying around, didn`t even check to see if it was clean.

It ran! Stumbled a bit and the idle was low but it ran.

So I`m going to have to check my carbs again and strip them and get them cleaned.

Ray

[fj1289]

Ray - good deal!

Try running some Techron, SeaFoam, or Marvel Mystery Oil in the next tank of gas - should help clean up the low speed stumble like carb guru DavidR mentioned.  Of course, a carb synch would be good to do too.

Enjoy the new found kookaloo!

Chris

[SlowOldGuy]

Here's another thing to keep in mind.

If it looks like you're going to have to replace a bunch of parts on your carbs; like slide diaphragms, needle seats, needle jets, floats, etc. then consider getting a brand new set from Randy.  Not sure what the Canadian taxes and handling charges would add up to, but it's right at $400 plus postage in the states.  Perhaps Randy can update the price for you.

DavidR.

[rhubarbray]

Here's another thing to keep in mind.

If it looks like you're going to have to replace a bunch of parts on your carbs; like slide diaphragms, needle seats, needle jets, floats, etc. then consider getting a brand new set from Randy.  Not sure what the Canadian taxes and handling charges would add up to, but it's right at $400 plus postage in the states.  Perhaps Randy can update the price for you.

DavidR.

Diaphragms are good,. needle jets were replaces last year with FactoryPro ones, everything else looks good. Mind you ,..$400??  Who is Randy?

[Marsh White]

Mind you ,..$400??  Who is Randy?

Randy KICKS ASS!  He has ALL SORTS of engine related parts as well as knowing the FJ engine inside and out.  Oh, and his prices are awesome.

Here is more information:
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=69.0

[rhubarbray]

Ok, another update. After my dad took a look at my "clean" carbs and said yes they`re clean, nothing in there I put them in and didn`t really expect anything to change and it didn`t. More to show dad that it`s something else.

But,....while I had the carbs still on, I tried it again in the garage and it ran well in neutral and then wouldn`t take throttle in neutral in the garage! Didn`t do that before! A little troubleshooting later and I found that on the fuel pump relay connector one of the wires was hanging out a little. I moved the connector and the wire fell out! Bad crimp! Verified that the pump still works by jumping the connector and crimped a new terminal on but I figured the constant bad connection/no connection took out the relay. So I just ordered a new one and it wasn`t as bad as I figured it would be. Just over $60 tax in.

So once the relay comes in I`ll try it again but it looks like I had TWO problems which is why the symptoms were changing.

Slowly getting there.
Ray