Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: kzz1king on January 27, 2012, 01:46:55 PM

Title: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: kzz1king on January 27, 2012, 01:46:55 PM
I am going to check my fuel levels. When I put my 2 minute mod in I used something other than das but cannot remember what. Got the idea here though. Anyone know? Thanks
Wayne
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on January 27, 2012, 02:54:43 PM
might ask Bubba Steve, but he and I use gas,,,,
you need something with the correct specific gravity, close to gasolene

I suggested once to use IsoHeet or Heet drygas additive, because it is safer, and also won't require cleaning the carbs afterwards.
I don't like mineral spirits, to me it's a contaminant.
jmho
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: kzz1king on January 27, 2012, 03:51:30 PM
Thanks, not sure what it was and I thought I heard it from Steve but I have a memory only a mother could trust.  Gas has a specific gravity of .739 and alcohol has .802.  What I don't know is if that is close enough. Just hate to mess with gas in the shop during the winter with the furnace and all.
Wayne
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Bmcush on January 28, 2012, 08:58:35 PM
SISF IIRC does use something other gas to set float levels, just cant recal what it is
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: The Other Brian on January 29, 2012, 01:53:21 PM
SISF IIRC does use something other gas to set float levels, just cant recal what it is

I would agree. I seem to recall him posting that he used mineral spirits.  I did a search but did not comeup with anything.  It was probably before the Crash of 2011.  Perhaps he will see this and set us straight.
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on January 29, 2012, 02:12:40 PM
I'll send him a note...he should be along shortly.... ;)
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Steve in Sunny Fla on January 29, 2012, 02:55:00 PM
I use de-scented mineral spirits with tcw3 oil in it for color. No issues on contamination, because I check levels on a dedicated test stand, then blow the carbs out with compressed air before the ship or get installed. HTH, Steve
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Boomer343 on January 29, 2012, 04:01:02 PM
Mammas and Pappas did a song about that called "This is Dedicated to the  Carbs I Love"
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: kzz1king on January 29, 2012, 06:47:24 PM
Thank you gentlemen, now to find some tcw3.
Wayne
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: snarf on January 30, 2012, 06:00:21 AM
Mammas and Pappas did a song about that called "This is Dedicated to the  Carbs I Love"
Walmart is were I get mine.
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on January 30, 2012, 07:37:22 AM
 
   +1 on Walmart  Super Tech TCW-3 Gal. When I bought mine 18 mos. ago it was around $12
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: kzz1king on January 30, 2012, 11:48:29 AM
Thanks guys, Walmart it is. Some of you add a teaspoon of the stuff every fillup?
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on January 30, 2012, 12:22:14 PM
   
  If I run 200+ miles before a fillup I add about 2 ounces. 100+ 1 ounce. I found some cheap cough syrup bottle that fit in the right fairing pocket for trips. Bottle goes in a ziplock bag in case of a leak. That could be messy!! If you miss a fillup or two, no problem. My bike parked at home always has a full tank of gas.
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on January 31, 2012, 07:52:06 AM
   
  If I run 200+ miles before a fillup I add about 2 ounces. 100+ 1 ounce. ...If you miss a fillup or two, no problem. My bike parked at home always has a full tank of gas.

I can see doing this for storage, long term, but if you ride regularly, and cycle fuel thru constantly, it's kinda silly no? Occasional use, maybe, but every fillup?
I mean adding 2 oz of oil to 6 gallons of fuel, is basically running a 2 cycle premix in a 4 cycle engine...
Just saying, and I am sure anyone following you on the road appreciates the aroma. ;D
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: T Cro ® on January 31, 2012, 11:08:46 AM
I can see doing this for storage, long term, but if you ride regularly, and cycle fuel thru constantly, it's kinda silly no? Occasional use, maybe, but every fillup?
I mean adding 2 oz of oil to 6 gallons of fuel, is basically running a 2 cycle premix in a 4 cycle engine...
Just saying, and I am sure anyone following you on the road appreciates the aroma. ;D

But But BUT that's what Steve does right?  ;)
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on January 31, 2012, 02:09:53 PM
But But BUT that's what Steve does right?  ;)

    Damn straight, Mister!! ;D
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on January 31, 2012, 04:01:30 PM

Just saying, and I am sure anyone following you on the road appreciates the aroma. ;D

     I'm sure they do! I use a great deodorant. 8)
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on January 31, 2012, 04:31:39 PM
I can see doing this for storage, long term, but if you ride regularly, and cycle fuel thru constantly, it's kinda silly no? Occasional use, maybe, but every fillup?
I mean adding 2 oz of oil to 6 gallons of fuel, is basically running a 2 cycle premix in a 4 cycle engine...
Just saying, and I am sure anyone following you on the road appreciates the aroma. ;D
 
   THIS will absolutely put an end to all discussion about the use of TCW-3 in our ethonal fueled carburated Concours!! ::)  Read this:

      http://hhrchevyfamily.19.forumer.com/a/using-2cycle-oil-in-gas-wal-mart-tc-w3_post7688.html (http://hhrchevyfamily.19.forumer.com/a/using-2cycle-oil-in-gas-wal-mart-tc-w3_post7688.html)

       In my next feature I will end ALL oil thread discussions!!!!!
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Steve in Sunny Fla on January 31, 2012, 08:00:07 PM
If I'm on a trip, tank over tank, I'm not running tcw3. But my bike is a "recreational vehicle" so it sits alot, and when it's sitting it has TCW3 in it. One time last year I expected to be riding, and didn't spike the tank; then the bike set in the hot shop during the summer and suffered severe dehydration (evaporation). end result, pilot circuits clogged, and I had to pull the carbs tho clear the pilot circuits. i've always kept TCW3 in the voyager, same carbs, and it has never had an issue. Steve
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: throb on February 01, 2012, 04:40:12 PM
My question;  I run ethanol free gas in everything possible, having a choice of three local stations that sell it.  The only exception is when I may be out of the area and need fuel.  Is there any benefit to adding tcw3 to this fuel?
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on February 01, 2012, 05:58:49 PM
 
   One of the reasons I started using TCW-3 is I had a "jerkiness" for yrs when crusing at about 35mph in suburban streets even after a good carb cleaning, Steve's 2MM and T Cro's Stick Coils. So I did a compression check and had 3 cyls at 190 psi and #2 cyl at 170 psi. A teaspoon of oil in that cyl bought the pressure upto 185 psi. Looked like a ring problem.
    Talked to "guru" Steve and he suggested maybe a stuck ring due to carbon. He suggested using TCW-3 might remove carbon and free up the ring. So after using it for about 3 months one day I noticed the "jerkiness" was gone. Did a compresssion test and all cyls were back to normal psi.
    The claim is that it removes-reduces carbon. Really don't know for sure but I like the results in a smoother running bike.
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: kzz1king on February 01, 2012, 07:47:18 PM
OH NO! I inadvertently started an oil thread.  New ground for me.
Wayne
Title: Re: Mineral Spirits for carb level?
Post by: Mettler1 on February 01, 2012, 09:37:15 PM
OH NO! I inadvertently started an oil thread.  New ground for me.
Wayne

 Gee Wayne, I don't think it was intentional. We will just pretend it didn't happen. :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: ;D