Need help with an old Zuma carb

STANIMAL · 11-30-2012, 08:13 AM

I have an old Zuma that was sitting for five years. I went through the carb , replaced the pilot , needle and float . Also replaced the vacuum operated petcock . It starts and idles for a few moments , then dies , as if the bowl is running out of fuel .

Does the air filter assembly need to be mounted ? I know some engines need it in place to run right . I have been in side the carb several times . All the orifices seem to be clean and flowing air . Any thoughts ?

kiznile · 11-30-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STANIMAL

I have an old Zuma that was sitting for five years. I went through the carb , replaced the pilot , needle and float . Also replaced the vacuum operated petcock . It starts and idles for a few moments , then dies , as if the bowl is running out of fuel .

Does the air filter assembly need to be mounted ? I know some engines need it in place to run right . I have been in side the carb several times . All the orifices seem to be clean and flowing air . Any thoughts ?

I dont know the zuma specifically, but a lot of these vacuum operated fuel pumps need vacuum...check to see how your fuel pump operates..Just a shot in the dark

MODNROD · 11-30-2012, 01:38 PM

If it's been sitting for 5 years, then it's likely the passageways in the carby are partially blocked by oxidation and/or varnish and crud, even if they look clean to the eye on first inspection.
A full strip down and soak in cleaner will do it wonders.
Same for the vacuum tap, maybe even more so. Fuel evaporates and leaves really stubborn varnishes.

STANIMAL · 11-30-2012, 04:25 PM

The vacuum petcock is new and the carb has been cleaned , soaked and cleaned about a half dozen times . Like I said , every hole is flowing air . There must be something I am over looking .

tbonestone · 12-01-2012, 03:18 PM

Just for kicks, did you put the air box on yet? Try it and see if that helps. I always put the bike together fully then test run and tune.

STANIMAL · 12-01-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonestone

Just for kicks, did you put the air box on yet? Try it and see if that helps. I always put the bike together fully then test run and tune.

That's what I am thinking. I had a few bikes over the years that had to be tuned like that.

allstateclub · 12-01-2012, 05:11 PM

A few years ago I bought a hydrostatic cleaning gizmo from Harbor Freight. Cost was about $45-$50. I totally strip the carbs down, clean everything with carb cleaner, blow them dry with a pressure hose, then throw them into the hydrostatic cleaner that's filled with water. I was amazed at the stuff that came vibrating out of all those little holes. I've even vibrated the parts with solvent in the machine (NOT recommended by the maker). They seem to work a lot better without taking them off and trying to clean them again, then repeat again and again.

STANIMAL · 12-01-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allstateclub

A few years ago I bought a hydrostatic cleaning gizmo from Harbor Freight. Cost was about $45-$50. I totally strip the carbs down, clean everything with carb cleaner, blow them dry with a pressure hose, then throw them into the hydrostatic cleaner that's filled with water. I was amazed at the stuff that came vibrating out of all those little holes. I've even vibrated the parts with solvent in the machine (NOT recommended by the maker). They seem to work a lot better without taking them off and trying to clean them again, then repeat again and again.

Sonic cleaner , I should get one anyway.

hayasakiman · 12-02-2012, 12:36 AM

Did you remove the blocking plug and idle mixture control before cleaning?
I'm not so sure but I think Zuma has that as well.

11-30-2012, 08:13 AM	#1
STANIMAL ^OP SUPPORT THE SECOND Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago Oddometer: 1,681	Need help with an old Zuma carb I have an old Zuma that was sitting for five years. I went through the carb , replaced the pilot , needle and float . Also replaced the vacuum operated petcock . It starts and idles for a few moments , then dies , as if the bowl is running out of fuel . Does the air filter assembly need to be mounted ? I know some engines need it in place to run right . I have been in side the carb several times . All the orifices seem to be clean and flowing air . Any thoughts ? __________________ If it don't have tits, spark plugs or gun powder, it don't interest me. ---Moose Dog If you don't organize your tools, you're a terrible person.---Aghartha You twatwaffles who enjoy fucking duffelbags full of deer antlers, simply stay out of the thread. ---Hardware02

11-30-2012, 01:38 PM	#3
MODNROD Perpetual ponderer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Midwest, West Oz Oddometer: 1,663	If it's been sitting for 5 years, then it's likely the passageways in the carby are partially blocked by oxidation and/or varnish and crud, even if they look clean to the eye on first inspection. A full strip down and soak in cleaner will do it wonders. Same for the vacuum tap, maybe even more so. Fuel evaporates and leaves really stubborn varnishes. __________________ Every ride's an adventure if you can't ride for crap http://www.dragtimes.com/Ducati-Mons...lip-10329.html

11-30-2012, 04:25 PM	#4
STANIMAL ^OP SUPPORT THE SECOND Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Chicago Oddometer: 1,681	The vacuum petcock is new and the carb has been cleaned , soaked and cleaned about a half dozen times . Like I said , every hole is flowing air . There must be something I am over looking . __________________ If it don't have tits, spark plugs or gun powder, it don't interest me. ---Moose Dog If you don't organize your tools, you're a terrible person.---Aghartha You twatwaffles who enjoy fucking duffelbags full of deer antlers, simply stay out of the thread. ---Hardware02

12-01-2012, 05:11 PM	#7
allstateclub Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Wellington, Ohio Oddometer: 58	Try a vibrator? A few years ago I bought a hydrostatic cleaning gizmo from Harbor Freight. Cost was about $45-$50. I totally strip the carbs down, clean everything with carb cleaner, blow them dry with a pressure hose, then throw them into the hydrostatic cleaner that's filled with water. I was amazed at the stuff that came vibrating out of all those little holes. I've even vibrated the parts with solvent in the machine (NOT recommended by the maker). They seem to work a lot better without taking them off and trying to clean them again, then repeat again and again.

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12-01-2012, 03:18 PM	#5
tbonestone Lost soul Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago-suburbs Oddometer: 143	Just for kicks, did you put the air box on yet? Try it and see if that helps. I always put the bike together fully then test run and tune.

12-02-2012, 12:36 AM	#9
hayasakiman Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2012 Location: WPB, FL, USA Oddometer: 136	Did you remove the blocking plug and idle mixture control before cleaning? I'm not so sure but I think Zuma has that as well.