View Full Version : Carb Heater Upgrade
I am in the process of doing a carb heater upgrade on my 2001 SV650S. It has been a pig in winter (definately worse since I added a stage 2 induction kit) when I have got caught without the Pro FST additive. I have intended to do this for a couple of years, but it is one of those jobs I never got around to - till now.
First I have extended the wires on the temperature controlled switch so the temp sensor is right at the front of the bike in the cold wind blast and not warmed by the engine or radiator. Next I have fitted an indicator LED to show when the temp switch has worked and a manual switch too (I have believed for some time that in damp/wet/humid conditions that the temp switch doesn't come on soon enough - ie the switching temp is set too low for these conditions). Lastly I have upgraded from 15w to 25w heaters. Will it fix it 100%? I don't know, and will probably have to wait for next winter to find out!
A quick plug for a pair of brand new standard 15w 13650-25E01 carb heaters I didn't use in the for sale section.
thefallenangel
15-04-09, 07:58 PM
tried the ultimate/ultra/super fuel?
tried the ultimate/ultra/super fuel?
No:confused:
Heard super unleaded is better but not a cure.
thefallenangel
15-04-09, 09:12 PM
No:confused:
Heard super unleaded is better but not a cure.
still it helps.
Premium unleaded was a wonder cure for my bike over winter, i could literally go spluttering into the petrol station and after filling would be fine.
yorkie_chris
15-04-09, 09:26 PM
The Pro FST does work, its main constituent is isopropyl alcohol.
Complete suppression of carb icing with isopropyl alcohol.
Source (http://www.springerlink.com/content/g26j0853426345g3/)
skumlerud
16-04-09, 02:02 PM
The Pro FST does work, its main constituent is isopropyl alcohol.
Complete suppression of carb icing with isopropyl alcohol.
Source (http://www.springerlink.com/content/g26j0853426345g3/)
That's about 2.5dl of Pro FST per tank. I don't know what Pro FST costs in England, but around here it's around £18 per litre. So if I was to use Pro FST during the winter, it will increase my fuel costs with 30%.
Carb heaters are probably the cheapest and simplest solution in the long run. Carb icing is caused by moist air being cooled down to freezing temperatures in the venturi. No fuel additive will prevent this fully. Heating the venturi will. I have no experience with carb heaters on my SV, but my ER-5's carbs are heated by coolant and they definitely don't ice.
yorkie_chris
16-04-09, 02:06 PM
£13/5l for the isopropyl
rictus01
16-04-09, 02:07 PM
Never really had a problem on the SV with this issue, but interesting fix (if as you say it works), could you take a pic or two of the relocation of the sensor, might help others if they want to do the same.
Cheers Mark.
...and where did you get 25w heaters from?
Sid Squid
16-04-09, 03:06 PM
Carb heaters are probably the cheapest and simplest solution in the long run. Carb icing is caused by moist air being cooled down to freezing temperatures in the venturi. No fuel additive will prevent this fully. Heating the venturi will. I have no experience with carb heaters on my SV, but my ER-5's carbs are heated by coolant and they definitely don't ice.
Carb heaters would be a great investment - if they worked.
As I've faffed with them on several bikes, tried relocating the sensor and even fitting a separate switch to turn them on a few minutes before starting the engine to try and warm the carb body through in the hope it might hold some heat.
So I can say, quite confidently, that they don't work. Thus whatever they cost it's a waste of your hard earned.
Fuel additives however, albeit dear, do work.
I sincerely hope your experience will be different.
Dont ride in the cold i think is the best solution!
rictus01
16-04-09, 04:14 PM
Dont ride in the cold i think is the best solution!
It's volvo time.......................Eh Ian....:smt044
Cheers Mark.
could you take a pic or two of the relocation of the sensor, might help others if they want to do the same.
The project is still under construction. I have already increased the length of the wires sufficiently to place the temp sensor in the fake air intake hole on the front side of the fairing (SV650S model), and added the wires needed to fit the manual switch & LED indicator. Hoping to finish the job this weekend but it is second priority to re-fitting my front cylinder head! (But thats another story).
Some useful genuine Suzuki part numbers:
Carb heater - 13650-25E01 (standard 15w)
Carb heater - 13650-20E00 (25w)
Carb heater - 13650-41F00 (35w)
Temp switch - 13655-25E00
Finished the crab heater upgrade at the weekend. Here's a couple of pictures of the finished job showing switch and temperature sensor positions:
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/NedSVS/Picture228.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/NedSVS/Picture232.jpg
A final touch to my carb heater project was to add some insulation. Hopefully more of the heat willwarm the float bowl now, instead of the air around it.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/NedSVS/Picture236.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/NedSVS/Picture237.jpg
The insulation is 15mm pipe insulation (plumbers merchant or DIY store), cable tied on. The black rubber boots on the bottom of the heaters are made from electrical heat shrink sleeve.
yorkie_chris
08-05-09, 07:09 PM
Seems a right pain in the rse when a fruit shoot bottle of isopropanol fits under the seat and will do 2 tanks of fuel.
Jamiebridges123
08-05-09, 07:31 PM
Seems a right pain in the rse when a fruit shoot bottle of isopropanol fits under the seat and will do 2 tanks of fuel.
But costs it works out cheaper :| :reaper:
yorkie_chris
08-05-09, 07:37 PM
How much for these carb heaters and associated bits? How do you value your time?
Isopropanol is about £15 for 5l. So 50 tanks of fuel.
Jamiebridges123
08-05-09, 07:40 PM
But then again, it's another thing you wouldn't have to bother with worrying about.. "Damn I forgot my Pro FST", wouldn't have to carry it about with you, etc etc..
And you get to make the sexy time with your bike in the garage so it's time and money well spent.. xD
yorkie_chris
08-05-09, 07:43 PM
I don't think the heaters will work.
Time will tell.
walkaboutandy
08-05-09, 10:25 PM
How much for these carb heaters and associated bits? How do you value your time?
Isopropanol is about £15 for 5l. So 50 tanks of fuel.
Where do you get that from? Cos that Pro FST stuff is a bit expensive.
Er really? Don't bother :D
yorkie_chris
09-05-09, 02:23 AM
Where do you get that from? Cos that Pro FST stuff is a bit expensive.
eBay.
Pro FST is mainly isopropyl alchohol anyway.
I've been caught out too many times with sudden changes in weather, so I am hoping these upgrades will work. We'll have to wait & see.
I was surprised to see it was cold enough last night, up on the Cat & Fiddle (some really fast/mad lads up there last night), for the carb heater indicator light I fitted to come on - din't think I'd see that till next winter! anyway, reasuring to know the heaters are turning on; i'm not so sure they would have done if I hadn't moved the sensor right to the front of the bike in the wind blast.
northwind
15-05-09, 12:04 AM
I've been caught out too many times with sudden changes in weather, so I am hoping these upgrades will work. We'll have to wait & see.
I keep a vodka miniature of Pro FST under the seat :smt004 Partly for those days when you get caught out in unexpected cold/wet conditions, and partly because it amuses me no end.
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