Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 250 & 400 => Topic started by: Cameron20 on May 20, 2012, 02:47:54 PM

Title: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 20, 2012, 02:47:54 PM
I am a new gsf400 bandit owner and I am having souch trouble getting it running. I bought 2 bandits one was a complete bike with a title except for missing an engine, the other bike was a complete parts bike. I tranferred the engine from the parts bike to the bike with the title. It has good spark at all four cylinders, new spark plugs, cylinder #1 has 120psi compression, #2 has 125psi compression, #3 has 75psi compression and #4 has 140psi compression. It is firing on all four cylinders. The problem seems to be its not getting gas from the carbs into the engine. Gas is getting to the bottom of the carbs. I have cleaned and cleaned these carbs over and over again, i have replaced new o rings, the jets are in good shape, it has new floats. The bike will run when gas is squirted through the carbs for a split second. The diaphrams have no tears, and are in very good shape, they spring up like tUhey should. The carbs literally look brand new i have cleaned every little tunnel and there seems to be no clogs anywhere. The petcock works flawless, the gas tank has been completely cleaned inside and no signs of rust.. It looks like a new tank.  :banghead:Am i missing something? I want to ride this thing so bad. If anyone has any ideas I will really appreciate it. Thanks..
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Squishy on May 21, 2012, 06:09:49 AM
Sounds like you checked everything but electrical stuff.
Also.. 75psi while others have 120+? That doesn't sound right
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 21, 2012, 08:15:26 AM
Are the plugs hooked to the proper cylinders? If you squirt fuel directly into the the intake it should rev like crazy not run for a second.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 21, 2012, 01:26:40 PM
Yea the plugs are on the right cylinders: 1-4, 2-3. What electrical problems could there be? It will start and it stayed idled for a bit today, with very little to none throttle response. The rpm gauge i guess doesnt work so i dont know what it was idling at. The carbs are set to 1 1/2 turns out from seated.  Only 1-4 cylinders were hot, so im guessing its still not getting gas to 2-3. I dont know what else to do. As for the 75psi, i wouldnt think having just poor compression in just one cylinder wouldnt cause it to do this. Thanks for your help
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 21, 2012, 03:39:05 PM
Well heres an update.. I tried to start it today and it isnt getting spark. I pulled the plugs out and checked spark and nothing. Coils? Igniter? Also, the electric start button wont work, i have to crossover the solenoid to start it. The kickstand is up, and clutch engaged.. Also adding to my previous post, Yesterday as it was running there was a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust. Everything seems to be going wrong, if its not one thing its another.. :banghead: at this point I very frustrated.. Let me know what you all think. I appreciate everyones help very much. Thanks!
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 21, 2012, 05:01:59 PM
You've got a problem with your right coil. It also controls the tach. Try giggling the 12v wires that go to the coil and see if it improves.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 21, 2012, 05:07:26 PM
Here's what happened to me...

http://forums.banditalley.net/index.php?topic=8845.0
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 21, 2012, 10:23:03 PM
Thanks Mike. Well the Start button is working now, and same with the coils(maybe only the left). Is it possible that the right coil goes in and out from working? I'll have to try giggling it. What did you do for a permanent fix, or is there not one? I think I fixed the white smoke problem, I drained some of the oil out, I guess I put a little too much. On the other hand, I'm still having a ton of trouble getting the bike started and to stay started. If i do, I cant even give it any throttle or it dies. Does any one have an idea how I can get this running, or other ideas what to try? It still seems like its the carbs causing most of the problem but I dont see how since I've cleaned them over and over and followed some of these threads on how to clean carbs. I just dont know what else to do. Any help is appreciated.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 22, 2012, 09:48:47 AM
I cut off the connectors, stripped back the wire a little and crimped on new spade connectors. It's been fine since. If that doesn't work, try swapping the coils and see if the problem changes cylinders.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 22, 2012, 12:14:17 PM
I swapped out the coils and its still #1-#4 that are firing. 2-3 pipes are cold.. What does this mean? Coils are good? Thanks
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 22, 2012, 12:19:58 PM
That means both coils are good. I'm guessing you're not getting voltage to the coil for 2-3...
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 22, 2012, 12:30:56 PM
Thanks, should i buy new connectors? I am now getting fire at cylinder 1-4 and 2. The only pipe thats cold is #3. Other than that im still not getting gasoline to the engine...
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 22, 2012, 12:45:38 PM
If it's firing on 1,2 and 4 then you probably have clogged pilot jets in your carb...
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on May 22, 2012, 12:47:41 PM
Although that's also the cylinder that's really low on compression...
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 22, 2012, 03:38:49 PM
Well.. Now its firing on all four. But it wont stay started and is really hard to start. It doesnt sound very good also. Do other people run jet kits in these bikes?
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: pmackie on May 22, 2012, 07:46:32 PM
Hey Cameron

If you now have fire on all 4 cylinders, that's a start. But I am concerned about a couple of things:

1. Your comment: 
Quote
It doesnt sound very good also.

2. 75 psi on cyl #3.

Why is compression low on #3...Valves? Piston/rings?

You should really make sure you don't have a mechanical problem first.

Quote
It still seems like its the carbs causing most of the problem but I dont see how since I've cleaned them over and over and followed some of these threads on how to clean carbs.
You may also have some worn out parts, and poor adjustments. Float heights, worn needle jet/needle, worn slides...there can still be a lot of carb issues with these older Bandits.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 22, 2012, 10:08:27 PM
Thanks for taking the time to help, I got it running a kittle longer today.. A few minutes, and it seemed to sound better as i let it idle. Im guessing it needed to burn all that gunk out of the engine. I have new floats and springs for the carbs but im not too familiar with adjusting the float height. Theres still seems to be a problem staying running though, like its starved for fuel. I am planning on buying new jets for it and new Rubber plugs for the pilot jets. Should i order them straight from my suzuki shop or is there a place to order online people use? Also what about the rubber plugs? Thanks!
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: andrewsw on May 22, 2012, 11:45:02 PM
I have new floats and springs for the carbs but im not too familiar with adjusting the float height.

The floats in the B4 are light enough that adjusting them is easy -- remove the float assembly and set it upside down. Float height is measured from the top of the plastic tabs that stick out near the needle valve to the top of the float. stock is 15mm. measure with the float just resting under it's own weight, not compressed at all.

A
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 23, 2012, 11:20:25 AM
Thanks andrew. Ill try adjusting them today. If anyone knows a good place to get new jets plugs let me know! In my free time I like to restore toys and do custom paint at my friends body shop. Here is my Bandit so far, when I first got it, it was disassembled, missing a complete engine and all sorts of stuff but it had a clean title. A day later I was on the road to pick up a complete parts bike with an engine and everything I was missing. In the last couple weeks I've been working on this and I love it. Here is some pictures..

Just after i got her
(http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww81/liberatore20/gsf400-2.jpg)

(http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww81/liberatore20/gsf400-1.jpg)

(http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww81/liberatore20/gsf400-3.jpg)

(http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww81/liberatore20/gsf400-4.jpg)


Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on May 23, 2012, 07:00:28 PM
Ill be ordering the new carb parts soon, so I'll know if its a fix for my problem. Today I've been trying to figure out why my Neutral light doesn't work, the bulb is good. I tried to check that it was hooked up right and it was, maybe its a bad switch? Also, my tach gauge is still not working. I was wondering if any of you have seen this exhaust? I have another exhaust that was on the parts bike that looks similar to everyone else's I've seen. But I was just wondering if anyone had any info on it...Maybe someone could let me know which exhaust to use. Thanks

(http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww81/liberatore20/gsf400-exhaust.jpg)
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on June 04, 2012, 12:12:20 AM
Everyone.. here is an update of my GSF400

I have tried and tried everything that you all told me to fix/try and I still cannot get this thing running for the life of me!
Any one have any other ideas!? Please PLease HELP!
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on June 04, 2012, 05:21:05 PM
You have two CDI boxes right? Are the numbers on the boxes the same? I'm pretty sure I've read that the CDI has to match the pickup on the motor... but I'm not sure what the effect is of using the incorrect CDI. It probably wouldn't start at all... but it's something worth looking at.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: bdouvill on June 05, 2012, 04:42:53 AM
I believe that (at least for what have been sold in France) 1991 and 1992 models have 10D00 CDIs and 1993 and 1994 (1995 too probably) have 10D60 CDIs. The difference comes from the sparkle lightening timing which is slightly different. As a result, you can not use the wrong type or your Bandit won't start at all.

I know in France a small company that makes a brand new CDI which is able to deal with both models. It comes with a 2-year warranty but it's 289 euros, which is quite expensive compared to what you can get on Ebay from China (I believe the french one is better quality).
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on June 06, 2012, 02:03:54 AM
Well! Switched out the wiring harness, and she runs and sounds great! I guess all the carb work paid off because its seems to be running great. For now they seemed to be synced pretty good. I feel like an idiot for it being such a simple thing making it not run. But as for the cdi, both cdi's work. Thanks for the help everyone! Ill post some pics once all the custom paint is finished.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on June 15, 2012, 04:21:41 PM
Hey everyone, ive had it running and it ran pretty good but the other day, i went to start it and it starts up eventually and revs uncontrollable up to redline and doesnt stop rising until i turn the bike off. The bike was running good, cylinder #3 now has the same compression as the rest of them and they all have 135psi-140psi. The carbs are very clean and all set to 1 1/2 from seated. I think that it may be a electrical problem but I am not sure where to start. I put new coil spade connectors on there thinking that it may help but it still starts and revs uncontrollable.. Anyone else deal with a Similar problem like this? Other than that, it is very hard to get started now. Any ideas or help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: interfuse on June 15, 2012, 04:57:04 PM
Sounds like your carbs are flooding the motor... things I'd check:

1. That the fuel tap doesn't leak in the "ON" position without vacuum (pretty common problem, check crankcase for gas smell)
2. Good seating of the o-rings inside the carb
3. Float needle wear
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on June 15, 2012, 05:00:39 PM
I also forgot to add that the tach jumps like its misfiring when i got it to idle.
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: Cameron20 on June 15, 2012, 05:05:04 PM
Flooding was my thought at first... But i checked and No gas smell, the new o rings give a nice tight seal. When i cleaned the carbs i also replaced the float needles, so they are new.. Any other ideas will be appreciated. Thanks
Title: Re: Please help me get my GSF400 Bandit running..
Post by: andrewsw on June 16, 2012, 12:21:32 AM
stuck throttle cable? Idle adjust turned up too high?