DRZ-400 problem
 

My 2 month old 2003 DRZ-400S had a loss of power. It still usually runs smoth except when I am putting a load on it like going uphill on the highway or accelerating. Jump on the throttle and it hesitates and cuts out two or three times then accelerates, but not like it used to. The power drop is not big, but noticable. I'm thinking carburator problem, but there is no adjustment for the carb on this. It has 1200 miles on it. Bad gas ? All gas has been here locally. Any ideas? Thanks

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John

http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/portal/about.asp

How many miles do you have? What percentage off and on road?

First the obvious stuff. Maybe a little water in your fuel. Drain carb bowl, water will be visible in drops in the gas.
Check your air filter. These bikes are pretty stuffed up stock. If the filter clogs at all its even worse.
Then check your plug. If its fouled replace it.

If nothing here fixs it. I agree its probably fuel being such a new bike. You'll probably have to remove carb and clean it.

check out this site. www.drz.info/

Good all around info plus explain some carb operation.

Thanks,
Todd Bellew

I have 1200 miles on it. About 30% off road, most of that is gravel/dirt road. I did change to a larger IMS tank, but didn't have a problem with the first couple of tanks. Thanks for the info, I will check out the site you suggested.

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John

http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/portal/about.asp

If you switched to a new tank theres a possibility you could have plastic from the tank in your carb.

I was wondering about your riding becasue I had a feeling you might be in some dusty terrain. You need to check your air filter if you've ridden in a lot of dust.

BUt, I have a nasty feeling you may have a pice of plastic in your carb. Just a guess of course.

Thanks,
TOdd BEllew

Thanks Todd,

I emptied out the tank this morning and found plastic in the tank. Not a good sign. However the DRZ has little screens where the fuel goes into the petcock. The screen is very fine and was cloged a bit I am hoping that was the problem. It looked like a little water was in the gas as well. I Think I will pour some more gas in it and give it a test drive before I pull the carb apart. Never done one before so it should be fun if I have to. I just cleaned the air filter a few days ago, so that shouldnt be it. Thanks for the info. BTY if you ever get out here look me up, I know some great ride where you never see anyone.

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John

Did the tank come with a petcock or did you have to change it over?

If it already had one and its a standard plastic tank it may not have an internal filter screen. Plastic will go stright in the carb.

If it did have a screen then maybe its completely covered. Less likely though.

Thanks,
TOdd Bellew

The tank did not come with a petcock. I put in the stock one. At the top of both the main and reserve is a tublar screen about 1/2 in long that is very very fine. This filter had several pieces of plastic wrapped around it., Enough to slow the flow of gas I am sure. I am going to get an in line fuel filter to back up this stock one on the bike. In defense of the IMS tank it did say to clean the tank before putting it on, and my cleaning was a bit hurried. As for the tank its self I recommend it. Its fit is exellant, and when I drained it through the petcock all the gas was drained, so the tank capacity can be utilized. I havent had time to fill the tank for a test drive, but I am hoping. If not, well time to expand my mechanical skills. Any recomendations for the in line filter? Thanks for the help, and keep your fingers crossed.

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John

Problem solved.Yesterday I took my bike out on a nice ride that covered everything from 4 lane freeway to going down old abandoned rail road tracks. It had its power back. On the way home it starting doing it again, so I pulled it back apart and hosed out my tank to be sure everything was out, then let it dry. Put it back this morning and runs great. I pulled the snorkel out while I had everything off, just to see if the increased airflow helped. It did. In first gear when I open it up quickley the front really wants to come up. I just had time for a quick ride up the block. Soo if you get a new tank clean VERY WELL.

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John