Petrol sitting in the carbs

[Helmet Head]

I just thought of this...

I have taken the tank off my bike and drained it in order to thow some paint at it. That was about a week ago. It just occured to me that there is likely to still be some petrol left over sitting in the carbs and lines just waiting to go bad and gum up the entire bike once I get her back together. Is there a way to flush this all out while it's in pieces? Please bear in mind that I am not very mechanically minded...so wirite any advice in the same way that you might instruct a five year old. Thanks.

HH

[MickLC]

Depends how long they'll be sitting there as to whether you need to drain them or not, a couple of weeks should be fine.

On the bottom of each of the carby's there'll be a float bowl that's got the fuel sitting in it. Each of these should have a drain screw on it that will allow you to drain the fuel from each bowl. I'm not sure exactly how they are setup on the ZXR but they will either be screws that you open a bit and the fuel drains out, or they'll need to be removed completely to allow the fuel out. Either way make sure you have something to catch the fuel and make sure you do them back up again afterwards.

[adge82]

If its only apart for paint im assuming that your engine and wiring etc are all still in the bike and working.

Start the bike and let it run till she dies, no more fuel.

[Helmet Head]

Adge82...

I was wondering about that. I wans't sure if it was okay to do or not. Anyone else want to ring in on this topic? Is it okay to run the bike until it's dry even if the tank is off it? I think it'll only be aprat about another two to three weeks (there's a week delay in getting thepaint in from SA), but if it's longer than that...is running it until it's dry a viable option?

HH

[adge82]

As long as your airbox stays on it and you dont go shoving rocks into the fuel hoses, you dont run the risk of getting crap in the motor. Bodywork is only clothing.

[timmyrocks]

mate i always run my race bike with the tank off to drain the carbs after a track day, mines setup to run without an airbox so yer, good advice to leave it on, start it up and give it a few little revs and wait for it to splutter then turn off the ignition, done (you'll be suprised how long it lasts)
oh dont forget that when you go to start it again to prime the carbs for a few seconds first so they get fuel

cheers

[Gosling1]

....It just occured to me that there is likely to still be some petrol left over sitting in the carbs and lines just waiting to go bad and gum up the entire bike once I get her back together.....

If you left the bike for 12 months or more, then yes, fuel residue could be a problem......and you would drain the float bowls as per Mick C's advice. I don't like running an engine 'dry', because they can lean out to buggery and this is never good ....

but a couple of weeks ??? No worries, just leave it in there. You will use the small amount left in the bowls / lines within the first 5 minutes of starting the bike once it is all back together. If for some reason the delay extends to a month or 2, if you are worried, just throw a bottle of fuel conditioner (Wynns etc) in with the first tank of juice - this will sort out any fuel issues pronto !