Carb Heater Upgrade - SV650.org

NedSVS · 15-04-09, 06:39 PM

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.

15-04-09, 07:58 PM

tried the ultimate/ultra/super fuel?

NedSVS · 15-04-09, 09:12 PM

Quote:

tried the ultimate/ultra/super fuel?

No

Heard super unleaded is better but not a cure.

15-04-09, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NedSVS

No

Heard super unleaded is better but not a cure.

still it helps.

15-04-09, 09:24 PM

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

16-04-09, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

The Pro FST does work, its main constituent is isopropyl alcohol.

Complete suppression of carb icing with isopropyl alcohol.

Source

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.

Viney · 16-04-09, 02:36 PM

...and where did you get 25w heaters from?

15-04-09, 06:39 PM	#1
NedSVS Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 567	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.

15-04-09, 07:58 PM	#2
thefallenangel Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade tried the ultimate/ultra/super fuel?

15-04-09, 09:24 PM	#5
arcdef Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade 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.

15-04-09, 09:26 PM	#6
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade The Pro FST does work, its main constituent is isopropyl alcohol. Complete suppression of carb icing with isopropyl alcohol. Source __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat Last edited by yorkie_chris; 15-04-09 at 09:36 PM.

16-04-09, 02:06 PM	#8
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade £13/5l for the isopropyl __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

16-04-09, 02:07 PM	#9
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade 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. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

16-04-09, 02:36 PM	#10
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	Re: Carb Heater Upgrade ...and where did you get 25w heaters from?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Carb heater question	sprocket	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	14	13-06-18 01:58 PM
Carb heater wire broken.	hallasv	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	15	27-04-09 10:08 PM
Carb Heater Part Number	shelleyamy	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	4	20-03-09 05:39 PM
Carb Heater Part Number????	NedSVS	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	6	06-11-07 08:38 PM
Carb heater	Jase22	Stuff Wanted	0	01-11-06 06:05 PM