Carb cleaner advice

linemup

Active Member
My 2006 big dog spits and sputters at times. Almost seems to be at the same place of the throttle......a dead sopt if you will. I was told to add carb cleaner to a tank full of gas. Is this a good idea? If so, how much per tank and what kind? Hope I posted in the right place. I looked at former posts but didnt see anything addressing this. Peace!
 

mcgroom

Well-Known Member
There are all kinds of products that make the claim, but I can't speak from experience on any of them. I have heard some good things about SeaFoam.

Best thing to do to clean it would be to pull it and have it run through an UltraSonic Cleaner.

With that said, it may not be a fuel issue you are dealing with. Everything dialed in and jetted properly?
 

linemup

Active Member
It is probably a jet issue.............or simply dialed in issue. The bike came from Indiana and Im in Bama. Not sure if that would creat such an issue. I thought I would try the cheaper route first. Just didn't know how much to pour into gas tank. If it doesnt work, I'll find someone to get the carb dialed in. Places like that are very hard to find in southern small towns. Thanks man
 

T.Byrd

Well-Known Member
Lineunup, tell us a little more about your problem. Is breather and carb. stock. Have you changed any jets. And if not you probably just need to ajust your carb.
 

BigDogBro1

Made in the USA
I've had the best results with Seafoam added to the gas to help burn out any gasoline related problems. Add to gas per instructions. Relation of mine, a marine engine mechanic swears by its results on stored engines not running well in the spring time. Just adds Seafoam and it cleans gummed up carbs to running condition.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
How long have you had the bike? Have you done anything to it since you got it? If not, I would at least put in a fresh set of spark plugs and read the "how to" for adjusting your carb. If you still have issues, pull the carb and see what jets you are running. You may need to change those. Probably less than $15 to get new jets. I'm in the south and running 78/33 (main/intermediate) jets and have no issues in my '05 pitbull. If you really think it's a fuel issue, just empty the fuel tanks and put some fresh (always high octane) fuel. Take a look in your tank and make sure there's nothing floating around in there that might plug your filter, like the tank liner issues some have had. There's no reason to take your dog to a shop with all the help and info from this forum.
 

linemup

Active Member
Bike has 4400 miles. Carbs and cleaner are stock. Has V&H ground pounder pipes. There just seems to be a little dead spot when twisting throttle.........in any gear it seems. A few times it has popped(spit) thru carb. A few times its from a dead stop when barely rivving to get bike to move. It has also done it when riding in higher gears but seems to always be at same throttle position. The few times it has done this from a dead stop, the bike cuts off and starts right back up. Have also noticed that smells a little out of exhausst at time. Cant remember if its consider rich or lean.....but no smoke. Hope this helps to explain. And thanks alot guys. oh................jets have not been changed by me at least.
 
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BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
Always burn the high octane. I try to go to gas stations that have a different hose for each grade. Otherwise, you'll always get a little low octane fuel at first. I would start with a carb adjustment using the how to on this forum. Then, if you still have problems, look at rejetting.
 

barhopper

Another round please
It is probably a jet issue.............or simply dialed in issue. The bike came from Indiana and Im in Bama. Not sure if that would creat such an issue. I thought I would try the cheaper route first. Just didn't know how much to pour into gas tank. If it doesnt work, I'll find someone to get the carb dialed in. Places like that are very hard to find in southern small towns. Thanks man
Jets are cheap. Easy to do. Do it yourself. Shops will just screw it up, won't spend the time to really dial it in. Do a search on here, you will find everything you need to git er done. :cheers:
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Bike has 4400 miles. Carbs and cleaner are stock. Has V&H ground pounder pipes. There just seems to be a little dead spot when twisting throttle.........in any gear it seems. A few times it has popped(spit) thru carb. A few times its from a dead stop when barely rivving to get bike to move. It has also done it when riding in higher gears but seems to always be at same throttle position. The few times it has done this from a dead stop, the bike cuts off and starts right back up. Have also noticed that smells a little out of exhausst at time. Cant remember if its consider rich or lean.....but no smoke. Hope this helps to explain. And thanks alot guys. oh................jets have not been changed by me at least.
You need to learn how to adjust your carb. Sounds like the accelerator pump is not set right and your fuel/air screw need adjustment just from the change in location. These carbs are simple to adjust once you learn what your doing. Would be nice to know what jets are in it though
 

MARV

Well-Known Member
Bike has 4400 miles. Carbs and cleaner are stock. Has V&H ground pounder pipes. There just seems to be a little dead spot when twisting throttle.........in any gear it seems. A few times it has popped(spit) thru carb. A few times its from a dead stop when barely rivving to get bike to move. It has also done it when riding in higher gears but seems to always be at same throttle position. The few times it has done this from a dead stop, the bike cuts off and starts right back up. Have also noticed that smells a little out of exhausst at time. Cant remember if its consider rich or lean.....but no smoke. Hope this helps to explain. And thanks alot guys. oh................jets have not been changed by me at least.
your lean if it hesitates initially

check for an intake leak first.
 

RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
Like Ray said probably the accelerator pump needs adjusting. Go to the how to and do a search there is some good info there on adjusting you carb. Jets are possibility also, you can usually adjust your air bleed screw and that will tell you if you need to re-jet.
 

linemup

Active Member
Alright guys. I'll print off material and try it myself this weekend. I know how to adjust carb on a Mopar..........according to idle, etc. So, I think I can follow directions and get this right. Much better than paying someone a hundred bucks to do it. Thanks again.
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Alright guys. I'll print off material and try it myself this weekend. I know how to adjust carb on a Mopar..........according to idle, etc. So, I think I can follow directions and get this right. Much better than paying someone a hundred bucks to do it. Thanks again.
Same principle as your Mopar. Turn the fuel/air screw in till it wants to die (after you warm up the motor) then turn it out and measure the difference. Somewhere in the middle is good. Per the S&S manual this should be between 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns. I not then you need to change the intermediate jet.
The accelerator pump should be out 2 turns from where the screw touchs the pump arm (don't screw it in and damage the arm) but I like mine out about 1 1/2 turns but thats me!

Once you do this then ride it and if it still hesitates then you are up to a jet change due to the difference in geographic locations.

Make sure you are not opening the throttle when starting it till it fires and don't be using that enrichment device (some call it a choke but it is not). You don't need it.

:cheers:
 

linemup

Active Member
oppps! well i have been using it but guess i will stop. i just let it run for about 20 seconds and push switch back down.Thanks!
 

linemup

Active Member
Hey which screw adjust the fuel/air? feel like a dumb ass now. I looked at the diagram of the S&S carb link that was posted.
 

BadBrad

2005 Pitbull
oppps! well i have been using it but guess i will stop. i just let it run for about 20 seconds and push switch back down.Thanks!
If you have been using the enrichner, then you may want to consider getting new plugs before you start making adjustments to your carb. It's been known to foul plugs in a short amount of time. :cheers:
 
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