Conclusions on Suzuki carbs

[biederboat]

Having been through several orderals on Suzuki carbs (85-88 vintage on 115 & 140HP) I have come to several conclusions to keeping these suckers running. I'm curious what the experts think about the following list, your comments are welcome.<br /><br />1. Always drain the carbs after running if you're definitely not going to be back in the water in a day or two.<br />2. Put fuel stabilizer and Berryman's B-12 in the tank regularly.<br />3. Put a fuel filter going into each pair of carbs (mine have 4 carbs each pair feed off a line from the fuel pump). This is in addition to the regualr strainer filter before the fuel pump and a good fuel/water separator filter.<br />4. Even if you've drained the carbs and are letting it sit, try and run it at least once a month even if it's just in the driveway for 10 minutes. Not using a motor enough seems to be worse than using it too much.<br />5. Even with the above, you better learn how to clean out carbs as it seems that 99% of poor running on Suzuki's is due to clogged main or idle circuits. You don't need a rebuild kit (I have cleaned the same carbs at least three times without). Just diassemble, clean and blow the passages out carefully with compressed air, put back together carefully and you should be fine. Always works for me UNLESS I have more crud coming out from the fuel pump after the first regualar filter. Taking this to a shop is a big bill.<br /><br />Well, I've always heard these are touchy carbs, hopefully my first four items will keep me from having to do #5 any time soon but at least I can do it in about an hour now that I'm so good at it!<br /><br />Thanks and interested to see your comments,<br />Biederboat

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Conclusions on Suzuki carbs

hello<br /> yep suzuki uses about the touchiest mikuni carbs about <br /> keepem clean or they dont run

 

[trackersocha]

Re: Conclusions on Suzuki carbs

is seafoam good for them too? i have a dt85

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Conclusions on Suzuki carbs

I would agree that the Mikuni carbs need to be kept clean. I'm not sure the "1 filter per carb" is necessary. I have a 1987 DT85 (3 carbs) that I have had for 3 years and only rebuilt the carbs once (and it turned out to be the fuel pump anyway). I think that it is important to keep the fuel pump diaphragm and hoses from the tank to the carb in good shape. In addition to dirt in the tank, deteriorating rubber from old hoses or the pump diaphragm can cause continuing problems. Also, deteriorating foam hood liners can be sucked into the carb causing problems. If the tank and hoses are in good shape a single water separating fuel filter should be adequate I would think. Hoses and diaphragms are cheap. Remove the potential crud generators and clean the carbs right once. You are right in the observation that using the engine often is better than letting it sit!