83' gs550e ping help

[don]

I posted " 83' gs55e with a cold " in the general area. A healthy dose of basement antibiotics cured that whole syndrome, but...........

When the engine is first ride of the day cold, (or if it sits at work all day for example), light choke for about 15sec and just fiddle with it to keep the rpms under 2k as it warms up for about 2min. You could hear a mouse fart in church it runs so nice . Then......... when you stop and turn it off after a 15-20 min or more ride, then start it back up it has a ping, (pre-ignition), upon starting. Only when it first fires off. Not after it's running. And it appears to happen only in cylinder #4. Along with the ping, there is a random misfire of some sort at idle. Nothing like a pop or sneeze. It just seems like it just doesn't fire every single time. It runs great, it just like skips an ignition or something.

All of you guys' advice has been spot on so far.

I don't flippin' know???

[GQROD]

I posted " 83' gs55e with a cold " in the general area. A healthy dose of basement antibiotics cured that whole syndrome, but...........

When the engine is first ride of the day cold, (or if it sits at work all day for example), light choke for about 15sec and just fiddle with it to keep the rpms under 2k as it warms up for about 2min. You could hear a mouse fart in church it runs so nice . Then......... when you stop and turn it off after a 15-20 min or more ride, then start it back up it has a ping, (pre-ignition), upon starting. Only when it first fires off. Not after it's running. And it appears to happen only in cylinder #4. Along with the ping, there is a random misfire of some sort at idle. Nothing like a pop or sneeze. It just seems like it just doesn't fire every single time. It runs great, it just like skips an ignition or something.

All of you guys' advice has been spot on so far.

I don't flippin' know???

Could be carbon buildup increasing your compression and causing pinging.

Have you done the coil realy mod? this could help.

Plugs gapped properly?

How is the mixture?

Plugs show rich or lean?

Are they the correct heat range plugs?

Valves adjusted?

Different brands of gasoline even though they are the same octane may have an affect.

Food for thought..........

[don]

1. Carbon thing at the end
2. Don't know what the coil relay mod means
3. Plug gap good
4. Mixture seems good
5. Haven't checked the plugs in the last couple days but prior (with same symptoms) looked a touch lean but still good
6. Plug heat range seems good
7. Valve clearance checked good
8. Understand the gas thing but don't think it would be this noticeable if everything was working correctly

And finally the carbon thing. I had the carbs off and did a "redo" on them. All is well except the above problem. While the carbs were off, I looked in the intake holes to check out the condition of the valve chambers. They looked like the Kevin Harvic Engine gunk commercials. That is my first suspect of my issue, but I'm not sure. Thought I'd check in here for more experienced advice.

[GQROD]

1. Carbon thing at the end
2. Don't know what the coil relay mod means
3. Plug gap good
4. Mixture seems good
5. Haven't checked the plugs in the last couple days but prior (with same symptoms) looked a touch lean but still good
6. Plug heat range seems good
7. Valve clearance checked good
8. Understand the gas thing but don't think it would be this noticeable if everything was working correctly

And finally the carbon thing. I had the carbs off and did a "redo" on them. All is well except the above problem. While the carbs were off, I looked in the intake holes to check out the condition of the valve chambers. They looked like the Kevin Harvic Engine gunk commercials. That is my first suspect of my issue, but I'm not sure. Thought I'd check in here for more experienced advice.

The Coil relay mod is wiring in a relay in order to give the coils a full 12 volts so they fire more intensely. Do a search and a diagram is provided.

The carbon build up and lean condition may be feeding into this problem if all else is good.

Try seafoam ( Auto Zone carries it ) in the tank and run a tankful it may clean the valves enough to help stop the pinging. Techron fuel injection cleaner also works wonders on cleaning auto valves on the german cars i owned it may help if sea foam does not.

Hope this helps.

[p_s]

I had the unsteady idle on my GS550ES only when it was warm and it was the ignition switch. They aren't cheap. Measure the voltage at the coils while it's idling. (Measure the positive terminal to battery ground.) Assuming your battery is good.

The coil relay is a workaround for electrical problems. I tried 3 relays and the 3rd lasted a few thousand miles and then died--all through vibration. If you go that route make sure you rubber mount it.

[don]

Good to hear from you again p_s. As you can tell, I still may end up making a move toward your offer. lol

gqrod, I got the same advice with the same products from my neighbor who has worked on engines for a living for like a thousand years.

I'll have to try the cheap method first. The fuel system cleaner route. Thanks guys!!

[GQROD]

Good to hear from you again p_s. As you can tell, I still may end up making a move toward your offer. lol

gqrod, I got the same advice with the same products from my neighbor who has worked on engines for a living for like a thousand years.

I'll have to try the cheap method first. The fuel system cleaner route. Thanks guys!!

My 83 gs550e runs well from the carb cleaning and now the coil relay mod.

But definetly check all the little things first, it took me 4 months of work and waiting for parts etc to get it to start right away and idle well and drive well. ( with this forums help otherwise it would have wound up in a graveyard )

Each mod shows dramatic improvements but these bikes are 25 plus years old and it's always the little things that make the biggest difference.

Hope this helps.

[don]

gqrod,

There's no question that this thing starts and runs smooth and healthy. It'll fire up on the first compression stroke it sees at all times, even when it's hot. I basicly have a concern about that little 1 or 2 pings I hear when I start it hot, expecially after seeing the amount of crud on the intake valves. When I start it cold, I push the button for 2 seconds and it's running. No noises, just silent rotation of the engine and a little rumble from the pipes. When it's hot is when the thing makes a little racket. The best I can tell is the #4 intake valve is the one making all the comotion. I'm guessing that has something to do with the little blip (not firing every time) I'm hearing in the engine at hot idle.

I got some seafoam today (as suggested) on the way home from work. I put it in the tank tonight. I guess I'll find out tomorow on the way to work if it will make it all the way.

Thanks again fellas'

[don]

Well it's thursday night and I diddnt have to call the wife to come get me the rest of the way home today. lol. I put the seafoam in the tank last night as I said. Didn't notice anything different yet but it was only 50 degrees this morning and only about 65 this afternoon so i'm not sure if the missing issue is resolved. I didn't hear it as loud but it wasn't 80 out either.

[Nessism]

What makes you so sure the noise is detonation? I've never heard an engine detonate on start up before; knock under engine load is a far more common situation.

Regarding the gunk on the intake valves, this is perfectly normal. The Seafoam/Techron should help but I don't think there is anything wrong per say, nor is this build up indicative of excessive carbon in the combustion chamber.

Valve train noise is pretty common on these bikes, particularly on start up before the oil pressure comes up. It's hard to diagnose noises on the internet but just doubt your theory that it's spark knock.