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Author Topic: URGENT...how do I test a float?  (Read 2459 times)

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Offline Hush

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URGENT...how do I test a float?
« on: May 10, 2012, 10:19:18 PM »
Is there a tried and true float test?
Usually I just replace them but obtaining a set for this bike is going to be like finding unobtainium!
I have done the old float them in water which had them happily bobbing up and down and neither pretended to be starfish at the bottom of the tub.
I think the left hand one is the worst which makes sense for a bike sitting on it's side stand for a decade.
So whose got the never fail float test? :)

For these carbs it is impossible to remove the bowls while they are full of gas to see if they are level, gas is definitely getting up past the floats and flooding up past the needle valves to wash back towards the airbox. >:(
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Dimitri13

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2012, 11:04:14 PM »
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2012, 02:35:09 AM »
Which bike is it Hushy? Cheers, Terry. ;D
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Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2012, 03:42:17 AM »
Just a POS Suzi GSXR250 I'm doing for my boy Terry, I like a challenge but this thing is driving me up the wall!
I think I hold the world record for carb removal, 12 times on and off with partial or full tear down in between removals.
I'm going to go look for some replacement floats, that worked on my CB650 when one was sinking.
If you think about it, a float lying on the left side of a bike in a bowl full of gas for 12 years is probably going to affect it's chances of working correctly.
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline LesterPiglet

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2012, 04:07:19 AM »
Try putting the float in one of the other carbs to see if it's being naughty.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2012, 05:59:59 PM »
It's fairly uncommon for a plastic float to become porous Hushy, but not impossible I suppose. What leads you to assume that one's leaking? A better test would be to tie them to a brick and place the brick in the bottom of the tub so that they're all completely submerged, and see which one settles on the bottom of the tub. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2012, 06:42:47 PM »
Quote from: Terry in Australia on May 11, 2012, 05:59:59 PM
It's fairly uncommon for a plastic float to become porous Hushy, but not impossible I suppose. What leads you to assume that one's leaking? A better test would be to tie them to a brick and place the brick in the bottom of the tub so that they're all completely submerged, and see which one settles on the bottom of the tub. Cheers, Terry. ;D

Now there's an excuse to get in that hot tub with a beer or 2 Rick..... ;D ;)
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Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2012, 12:57:07 AM »
I'm wondering why no one has ever invented a plastic type coating that is petrol resistant we could spray on old floats to make them good again.
I might try your idea Terry (you weren't joking right?) since I now have the carbs in bits and am awaiting my sons' efforts to find a replacement set.
Don't like his chances as even Ebay had nothing for a GSXR250?
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2012, 02:49:06 AM »
No, not joking Hushy, (who's this Rick bloke anyway?) let's face it, if none of them settles on the bottom, then your floats are fine. I'm sure that there are probably fuel proof sealants that you can use mate, just do a google search.

I don't think I've ever seen a GSXR250 here in Oz, we had a thing called a GSX250F Across, I rode one once and was horrified that I had to rev it close to it's 20,000 RPM redline to get it to go anywhere, but looking back on it now, it was a cool little bike.  http://www.dixonarchive.com/across/

I wonder if the Across or later Bandit 250 carbs were the same? Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline simon#42

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2012, 06:17:09 AM »
hush as terry said it is very uncommon for a float to go faulty , if it floats in a bowl of water it almost certainly ok .
the float valve is normally the culprit
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Offline trueblue

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2012, 06:42:15 AM »
It is uncommon but not impossible, I have seen two in cars that have gone bad, but the bike ones are made out of the same stuff, the only 100% way I know of to check them is replace them, if you have one known good one then you could check the weights of them, but I think you would need a jewelers scale to get accurate enough readings.
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Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2012, 09:51:04 AM »
Well I did a "HUSH" test on the floats and they seem OK, how do you like my test tank Terry?
The float valves are brand new and they came with new brass collars so I doubt that sealing there is a problem.
Yes Terry you have to rev the Hell out of them, pistons are about the size of a button and con rods maybe 3 inches long, 4 valves per cylinder and they are about the size of an Aussie $2 coin.
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 09:53:17 AM by Hush »
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline grcamna2

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2012, 02:24:57 PM »
That is a cute little sporter for sure.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2012, 02:37:57 PM »
Oh, OK Hushy, so it's a Suzuki 250 Across with GSXR stickers on it, no worries, try doing an EBay search for "Suzuki Across" or "Suzuki Bandit 250" mate, should be heaps of bits for them.

Lovely tank, but unnecessary. As I suggested earlier, tie the floats to a brick and completely submerge them in a bucket and see which one (if any) sinks to the bottom. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2012, 07:36:44 PM »
Never heard of an "Across" Terry, these come complete with GSXR250 stickers on them. ;D
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Across?
« Reply #15 on: May 13, 2012, 09:59:20 PM »
I tried a search on Trademe for Suzuki Across and this is what it found? A 250 twin!
Is that what an Across is?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/complete-engines/auction-473594906.htm
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #16 on: May 13, 2012, 10:13:51 PM »
OK really really dumb question, I am soooo past caring what anyone thinks about my prowess with carbs, I just refuse to give up on this as I hate a mystery. :)
Here is a photo of the arse end of those dreaded carbs and now I want someone to tell me using very very small words WHAT THE FRIG ARE THOSE FOUR LITTLE HOLES AT THE BACK THAT GUSH GAS FOREVER?????? >:(
I have just put carbs back on (13 or 14th time) and guess what, yep gas for Africa......so having set the floats, checked the float valves and rebuilt the carbs (4th time) they still do this!
Now to my simple simple mind they are over-flows for the float bowls....right?
Or are they Demon spawn black holes in the space time continuum? ???
I know that when the floats rise they should gently lift the float valves into the brass fittings and seal perfectly.........but in the real world..........they don't!!!! :o :(
« Last Edit: May 13, 2012, 10:19:04 PM by Hush »
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #17 on: May 14, 2012, 03:31:27 AM »
Quote from: Hush on May 13, 2012, 09:59:20 PM
I tried a search on Trademe for Suzuki Across and this is what it found? A 250 twin!
Is that what an Across is?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/complete-engines/auction-473594906.htm

"We also have a 1995 GSX250F Across engine package- 4 cly,6spd,45hp."

G'Day Hushy, apparently the Kiwi seller can't spell, (or at least, abbreviate) but I think he means it's a 4 cylinder engine, with a 6 speed gearbox, that puts out (arguably) 45 Horsepower. I've seen a pic of Across carbs, they look just like yours. ;D

Getting back to your carb dilemma, there are only a few reasons why they'd be pissing out fuel, as described:
 
1. Holed floats filling with fuel, allowing float to sink to bottom of float bowl, causing float needle to stay open   
2. Floats installed upside down (don't laugh, people do it all the time)
3. Float needle worn out
4. Float needle installed upside down (see item 2)

Right now I can't think of any other reason they'd flood Hushy, but if I do, I'll get back to you. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Hush

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #18 on: May 14, 2012, 09:43:28 AM »
Cheers for staying with me on this Terry.
1. Holed floats filling with fuel, allowing float to sink to bottom of float bowl, causing float needle to stay open  have tested for this and they seem to float easy
2. Floats installed upside down (don't laugh, people do it all the time) Been there and done this myself, Jaffa thought I might have repeated this as I inverted the 650 ones but Gsxr ones only fit one way so it aint that.
3. Float needle worn out New ones fitted
4. Float needle installed upside down (see item 2) Again this can't happen on the GSXR they can only fit one way.
So as you can see it's driving me nuts, apparently a replacement set of carbs arrive Friday but I'd dearly love to know why with all my years of fiddling with bikes I can't cure this seemingly small problem! :(
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #19 on: May 15, 2012, 12:35:20 AM »
No worries Hushy, and a couple of other things just popped into my head, as follows:

1. Have you set the float levels to a particular height? If so, have you attached a "Manometer" to each carb to confirm fuel levels?
2. Have you done a "side by side" comparison of the old and new float valves? (if the new ones are shorter, they won't close when the float rises)
3. Are the "seats" for the fuel valves removeable, (they normally aren't on CV carbs) and if so, have you replaced any?

I'll think of more annoying questions once I feed some alcohol into my tiny brain. Cheers, Terry. ;D
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I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline trueblue

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Re: URGENT...how do I test a float?
« Reply #20 on: May 15, 2012, 03:29:02 AM »
FWIW those black plastic floats are made out of a sort of foam, they absorbs fuel when they goes bad, that is the reason I said to weigh them.
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