Author Topic: Carburetor heater. (Read 6811 times)

Rocketjock · « **on:** September 07, 2006, 10:06:34 PM »

Been going over my new 06 shop manual and just can't seem to find any info on the carb heater. It has a complete breakdown and repair but to this date I have not been able to find out its purpose. Guess I've been around too many 80s and early 90s model Zukis too long and just ain't used to these new fangled gadgets. Can somebody clue me in? is it a fuel warmer for cold days? Do I leave the ignition on for a couple of minutes before starting the bike? Or is it, as I suspect, something to do with the "exhaust purification" system?

solman · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2006, 09:10:21 AM »

I personally have never heard of a carb heater on Bandits. Then again, I have never lived in an enviroment that required one either.

scooter trash · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2006, 10:17:38 AM »

Carburetor heaters do two things:
1. They reduce start up/heat up time for cold engines.
2. They reduce the chance of ice forming in the carburetor throat and on the throttle butterflies.

I know for a fact that I cannot ride my Harley when the temp gets below 30 degrees because ice starts to form in the carburetor. However I have not noticed this problem with my Bandit. It is probably due to the fact the Bandit carburetors sit behind the engine (where it is warmer) and the air filter is covered. My Harley carburetor sits out in the open and I have a ram air type air filter system installed.

Motorcycles, there not just for summer riding anymore !!!!!!

Kickstart · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2006, 06:11:42 PM »

Hi

Might not be fitted to bikes intended for the country you live in. UK bikes often have them to fix carb icing problems (carb icing is where the fuel from the carbs takes heat from the carb body, resulting in it being so cold that the moisture in the air freezes in the carb).

All the best

Keith

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2006, 06:45:54 AM »

AFAIK, only the UK market Bandits get carb heaters.
You may be able to find an unused connector in the wiring loom under the seat/tank area that's there for the carb heat provision.

timjim · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2006, 06:09:22 PM »

I had carb heaters fitted to my 96 bandit 600 by the dealer in the uk after having problems with my carbs icing(as previously described).the heaters themselves are temperature controlled so theres no need to do anything but ride it like normal.....vast improvement,but i still use a fuel additive when it gets to about -5!!!!!!

Kickstart · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2006, 05:50:02 PM »

Quote from: timjim

but i still use a fuel additive when it gets to about -5!!!!!!

Shouldn't really be necessary. Carb icing happens in a fairly narrow temperature range. If it gets too cold then the moisture content of the air is too low for carb icing to occur.

All the best

Keith

timjim · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2006, 08:28:00 AM »

seems to be more of a problem when bike warms up causing condensation in the carb bowls,tickover becomes erratic and splutters when accelerating.Im not the first or only person to suffer this problem,but most people ive spoken to have suggested using an additive and done the same and cured the problem.