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Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:33 am
by thurstmw
The sea foam seems to be working pretty well. It is taking a little throttle now and I can easy the choke off a bit. I replaced the inline fuel filter and spark plugs for fun and to see if it will help it run a little smoother. The stuff says carb cleaner on it but I dont feel like taking the gas tank off to try it out since the sea foam is working. Ill keep you updated on how it run.
If it still feels rough maybe I will take the carb apart and clean it as a little summer project.
Thanks for all your help!
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:54 am
by thurstmw
Well it is running on no choke now and will throttle up nicely but the exhaust is a bit smoky. Could this be from the new spark plugs or just from throttling it for the first time in a while?
I think Ill change the oil and filter then try to take her out for a ride.
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:05 am
by thurstmw
I now notice that the tac does not seem to be working at all. What should I check first?
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:18 am
by agraebner
the spray carb cleaners are designed to clean carbs on vehicles where pcv system bleeds oil over the throttle plate and can gum it up. It also works very well if you take the carbs apart and clean them internally. Spraying anything into the throat of a carb is a waist of your time as it does not go through any fuel passages just straight into the engine past the throttle plate. running straight sea foam is possible but of no real benefit. If the varnish that is built up wont dissolve with 2 oz per gallon it will require manual cleaning. Simple thing to check first for the tack is start looking at connectors on the bike separate them make sure they are clean on both sides. You may need to get some electrical contact cleaner. I would recommend the same brand as makes gum cutter it works better than a lot i have tried. The majority of problems I have found on bikes is bad connections, often these bad connections cause other failures. A lot of connectors on bikes are made from very cheesy plastic and not sealed like automotive connectors, this allows moister in then everything corrodes.
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:44 am
by thurstmw
Ok I'll check those out. Thanks for the help and the information on carb cleaning.
EDIT: I checked out the tack and it looks like it is purely mechanical not electrical at all. There is a cable that runs straight from the engine to the tack and spins when the bike is on. Im guessing that means the problem is with a gauge?
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:53 am
by jstark47
Wrider wrote:I personally wouldn't run anything on straight seafoam. Not sure if it's even possible.
There's a page on Seafoam's website about this. They show it being done for a car, not a bike.
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:57 am
by thurstmw
jstark47 wrote:Wrider wrote:I personally wouldn't run anything on straight seafoam. Not sure if it's even possible.
There's a page on Seafoam's website about this. They show it being done for a car, not a bike.
Nice thank you. I didn't use that method but it helps explain why my engine was smoking a bit after adding the sea foam to the gas.
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:51 pm
by Wrider
Your engine is smoking after adding the seafoam because it's cleaning out all of the gunk, it's perfectly normal. Not only is it cleaning your carbs for you, but it's also taking care of your valves!
Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:29 pm
by Johnj
My lawnmowers LOVE seafoam.

Re: 2000 Suzuki gs500e wont start
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:07 pm
by thurstmw
Thank for all your help. I took the tach off the bike and put it back on and it started working. Iv taken it for a few rides around the hood and it seems to be running well. None of the parts stores had an oil filter for me so one should be getting here tomorrow and after a quick oil change Ill be ready to start riding for real.
Thanks again!