Gettin' the Carbs Off; Kawasaki ZX-11

[JMHJ]

So I'm looking for a gas seep (which I think may be the number 1 float bowl gasket, but don't know). I'm to the point of pulling the carbs off, but I can just wiggle them up and down in the intake (boots?) (while pulling, both hands), but am not getting anywhere. Have the clamps loosened. It seems like I'm pulling pretty hard (like as hard as I can with the available grip locations.

I don't see anything I want to pry on on the carbs themselves. Any other tips or tricks? There's a YT video of an Australian guy doing it, but they appear to come pretty easily for him.

I'll try to post some pics tonight or tomorrow. Of the leak staining too.

[Nessism]

First thing, is loosen the airbox mounts and slide it back as far as possible. Then pull the carbs back, out of the boots attached to the head. Once the carbs are out of the boots in front, it's a wrestling match to get them out the rest of the way.

[JMHJ]

Airbox is totally off, and I can't get them out of the boots; they've moved maybe 1/8". The bands/clamps are pretty loose there too...

Here's some of the gas staining:

1 - Copy.jpg

[JMHJ]

Left side (where the leak is).

2 - Copy.jpg

[JMHJ]

Right side. Rest of them seem Ok.

3.jpg

[Nessism]

Sounds like you are going to need rubber boots that attach to the head. Your old ones must be hard as a rock, and resisting pulling the carbs out.

[JMHJ]

Ok; I'll work them up and down some more next time I try, before pulling; see if I can loosen them up like that.

[steve murdoch]

The same as installing you might need to add some heat to make the manifolds more pliable.
I use a hair dryer on the Honda.

[Carter Turk]

The same as installing you might need to add some heat to make the manifolds more pliable.
I use a hair dryer on the Honda.

Agreed on the heat. Had my carbs off for few days, went to put back on with temp at 36 outside, not happening.

I have a 33 year old Bosch Heat gun, that did the trick. Guess some caution would be suggested if gas is still in float bowls, as I was reattaching my dry empty carbs.

[JMHJ]

Awesome, I'll have a go at that...

Got them out, still tough. Pulled the bowls off of 1 and 2, and the o-rings were really flat. I think that's the prob. Decided to save $30 (not 60...) and leave the other 2 alone.

I could squeeze the intake boots, and they seem Ok...

Just had a thought - the carbs came off with a pop sort of; some of the valves looked closed, so maybe there was a vacuum being created...? Wait nevermind; that's dumb; even with those throttle plates closed it can't be airtight.

[Rijko]

The carbs are off, now ... and if they have not been serviced for some time, you really should check and clean the other 2 carbs, too.
Check the "Top 10 Newbie Mistakes"

[JMHJ]

No doubt. Supposedly they were, a couple years ago (I'd hafta look at the records again). Bike was running pretty good - like, I didn't have any complaints. There was a bit of stuff in the bowls that looked like reddish dirt (rust maybe...). Another sidenote: intake valves have some gunk near the stems (like not at the mating surfaces), from what I could see.

I noticed I could see down the port that's under the red tubing on 2 of them, but the other 2 were wet in there... that's probably not good.

[Nessism]

Pulled the bowls off of 1 and 2, and the o-rings were really flat. I think that's the prob. Decided to save $30 (not 60...) and leave the other 2 alone.

Your logic escapes me.

[rphillips]

Ed, just different folks with different ideas... Couldn't say either is wrong, as I can see both sides,.. "Hoping" he's all good now...

[Rijko]

When i was young i had a different way of wrenching than i do now.
Lack of knowledge, and funds, experience, all played a role.

I would attack the problem and avoid 'unnecessary' cost, maybe not realizing the 2
remaining carbs have equally old, flat gaskets that could start leaking soon,
or just hoping they won't.

Not realizing the dirt found in the leaky carbs that probably made the float valve stick
sometimes and caused the carbs to overflow likely is present in the other 2 carbs.
Or just hoping it is not

Not having the experience yet to know how few of those gambles would pay out.

I agree, each to their own.

Budget is one thing, knowledge and experience we can help with.
This forum buzzes with that.