[MelussaLukk]

I have a 97 Suzuki 800 Intruder in which I bought gas then my bike started backfiring sputtering and shut off I waited a few minutes it started back up and it did it again and then it wouldn't start i trailered it home thinking maybe I bought bad gas but I emptied the tank and it wasn't the gas I checked the voltage it's getting fire the fuel lines are fine i crank It Up the next day rode it around for about 10 minutes ran fine did the same thing and wouldn't start back up it keeps doing this what could it be?

 

[FlipFlop]

Welcome to the site.

When checking for issues you need to be able to replicate the problem when diagnosing. It could be a coil issue that happens when hot, it could be a fuel passage thing that happens when hot, none of the issues seems to happen when cold or sitting for a while. I would doulbe check the connection all arount the ignition and the spark again when it is actually giving you the issue. If it is not running and giving isse cold or not you will need to make sure everything is happening start with the basics, fuel, air, spark and compression and connections clean dry and making connection. Dianosing sporatic issues is a real PITA, good luck!

 

[DannoXYZ]

Do these test measurements. Numbers will tell exactly what's wrong:

WHEN BIKE BEHAVES
1. battery voltage with everything OFF, volts = ???
2. battery voltage while pushing start-button, volts = ???

WHEN BIKE MISBEHAVES
3. battery voltage with everything OFF, volts = ???
4. battery voltage while pushing start-button, volts = ???

 

[Traveller11]

I have a 97 Suzuki 800 Intruder in which I bought gas then my bike started backfiring sputtering and shut off I waited a few minutes it started back up and it did it again and then it wouldn't start i trailered it home thinking maybe I bought bad gas but I emptied the tank and it wasn't the gas I checked the voltage it's getting fire the fuel lines are fine i crank It Up the next day rode it around for about 10 minutes ran fine did the same thing and wouldn't start back up it keeps doing this what could it be?

Intruders run on the battery and even even a slightly low charge can cause issues. You should have at least 13.2V at the battery with the key off. Carbs can start to clog up then somehow open back up then clog up again but will eventually stop working until cleaned. The fuel pumps are known to become intermittent before they go out.

So what would I do? The easy stuff first.
-Check to make sure your battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure to check the negative cable where it grounds to the frame. Use sand paper to clean each terminal.
-Add 3-4 ounces or SeaFoam to the tank and try to run it into the carbs. Do this for 3 tanks if you get it running.
-You can also pour the SeaFoam directly into the carbs and fill them up. Let it sit overnight then drain the float bowls and start it up. Don't waste what comes out of the bowls just strain it through a cloth and use it in the tank.
-Take the battery to an auto parts store and have them load test it.
-If you want to go for it you can test the fuel pump. There are instructions in the service manual. I will PM you a link to the manual.
-Do you have an inline fuel filter? The bike does not come with one but some people install them.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Just say no to Seafoam! It's +30% ethanol, which is stuff in crappy modern petrol that causes all sorts of problems like dissolving fuel-lines, phase-separation of petrol into water, leading to corrosion of tanks and fuel-systems. Instead, use some PEA-based fuel-system cleaners.

• Red Line SI-1
• Techron Concentrate Plus
• 3M Max Strength Fuel System Cleaner #08814
• Royal Purple Max Atomizer 18000
• Gumout All-in-One (may be off list soon due to lowering amounts of PEA)

 

[Traveller11]

Just say no to Seafoam! It's +30% ethanol, which is stuff in crappy modern petrol that causes all sorts of problems like dissolving fuel-lines, phase-separation of petrol into water, leading to corrosion of tanks and fuel-systems. Instead, use some PEA-based fuel-system cleaners.

• Red Line SI-1
• Techron Concentrate Plus
• 3M Max Strength Fuel System Cleaner #08814
• Royal Purple Max Atomizer 18000
• Gumout All-in-One (may be off list soon due to lowering amounts of PEA)

I have used SeaFoam for years and never had an issue with it. If I can't find SeaFoam, Berrymans B12 works just as well.

But to each his (or her) own.

 

[SemiFast]

Never tried SeaFoam but I can vouch for B12... Be sure to go by the mixing instructions on how much B12 -to- fuel


S F

 

[Traveller11]

I forgot one that is conman on Intruders and an easy fix / check. Your fuel cap has an air vent in it that can get clogged over time or there is a float in the cap that closes it off in a tip over that can get stuck. If it is clogged or stuck you won't pull air into the tank and it will stop the bike from getting enough gas. Pull the cap apart and just check it out. Or open the cap and let it run with the cap off to see if it stalls again.

 

[mike721]

I forgot one that is conman on Intruders and an easy fix / check. Your fuel cap has an air vent in it that can get clogged over time or there is a float in the cap that closes it off in a tip over that can get stuck. If it is clogged or stuck you won't pull air into the tank and it will stop the bike from getting enough gas. Pull the cap apart and just check it out. Or open the cap and let it run with the cap off to see if it stalls again.

That's what I was going to suggest, it could be a clogged vent. Ride it till it starts acting up then open the gas cap to relieve any vacuum in the tank then see if it starts and runs fine for 10 minutes again, then repeats.
If it does, you found the problem....

 

[Tinsnips]

That's what I was going to suggest, it could be a clogged vent. Ride it till it starts acting up then open the gas cap to relieve any vacuum in the tank then see if it starts and runs fine for 10 minutes again, then repeats.
If it does, you found the problem....

This was what I thought. Everything listed above - battery, ground connections, charging, fuel filters - all stuff that could do it & honestly, they are just basic maintenance that should be checked anyway. I am going to say the vent tube is where I would look outside of carb or fuel pump work.

I have used Seafoam with great results. I know it has the nasty stuff in it but I use it so infrequently it doesn't produce negative effects. Kinda like, do you smoke 3 packs a day or do you have a cigar once a month.

 

[MelussaLukk]

Welcome to the site.

When checking for issues you need to be able to replicate the problem when diagnosing. It could be a coil issue that happens when hot, it could be a fuel passage thing that happens when hot, none of the issues seems to happen when cold or sitting for a while. I would doulbe check the connection all arount the ignition and the spark again when it is actually giving you the issue. If it is not running and giving isse cold or not you will need to make sure everything is happening start with the basics, fuel, air, spark and compression and connections clean dry and making connection. Dianosing sporatic issues is a real PITA, good luck!

Thank you

Intruders run on the battery and even even a slightly low charge can cause issues. You should have at least 13.2V at the battery with the key off. Carbs can start to clog up then somehow open back up then clog up again but will eventually stop working until cleaned. The fuel pumps are known to become intermittent before they go out.

So what would I do? The easy stuff first.
-Check to make sure your battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure to check the negative cable where it grounds to the frame. Use sand paper to clean each terminal.
-Add 3-4 ounces or SeaFoam to the tank and try to run it into the carbs. Do this for 3 tanks if you get it running.
-You can also pour the SeaFoam directly into the carbs and fill them up. Let it sit overnight then drain the float bowls and start it up. Don't waste what comes out of the bowls just strain it through a cloth and use it in the tank.
-Take the battery to an auto parts store and have them load test it.
-If you want to go for it you can test the fuel pump. There are instructions in the service manual. I will PM you a link to the manual.
-Do you have an inline fuel filter? The bike does not come with one but some people install
them.

No . I'm thinking the fuel pump honestly

 

[Traveller11]

Thank you
No . I'm thinking the fuel pump honestly

Check the gas cap first it only takes 5 minutes to remove it, take it apart and put it back together.

 

[Heartbroken]

Let us know what you find. I have a 2001 VS800 Intruder and it has a very similar problem. I believe it's a short but haven't been able to track it down yet. Now that I've seen all these other suggestions I have a few more things to try, didn't even know about the gas cap.

 

[Carbide]

Just say no to Seafoam! It's +30% ethanol, which is stuff in crappy modern petrol that causes all sorts of problems like dissolving fuel-lines, phase-separation of petrol into water, leading to corrosion of tanks and fuel-systems. Instead, use some PEA-based fuel-system cleaners.

• Red Line SI-1
• Techron Concentrate Plus
• 3M Max Strength Fuel System Cleaner #08814
• Royal Purple Max Atomizer 18000
• Gumout All-in-One (may be off list soon due to lowering amounts of PEA)

Lol I know dozens of people that have used seafoam for decades with zero issues.
Heck I have gallons of it and use it in my snowmobiles, dirt bikes, boat, car, mowers and snowblowers.
Been using it since the 80s.
One time in 1993 I didn't use it one time in my V-Max and the carbs gummed up. The other 14 years I owned that bike using seafoam I had zero issues.
I currently have it in my 5 bikes, and my stored car. I have zero concerns. 🙂

 

[Traveller11]

Let us know what you find. I have a 2001 VS800 Intruder and it has a very similar problem. I believe it's a short but haven't been able to track it down yet. Now that I've seen all these other suggestions I have a few more things to try, didn't even know about the gas cap.

All motorcycle gas tanks have to vent and can get clogged up over time, some have it in the cap some have a vent hose. One of the common symptoms is that it runs for a few minutes then starts to shut down. If you can do it while this is happening try pulling the cap off an listen for it pulling in air.

 

[Steve Neul]

I have a 97 Suzuki 800 Intruder in which I bought gas then my bike started backfiring sputtering and shut off I waited a few minutes it started back up and it did it again and then it wouldn't start i trailered it home thinking maybe I bought bad gas but I emptied the tank and it wasn't the gas I checked the voltage it's getting fire the fuel lines are fine i crank It Up the next day rode it around for about 10 minutes ran fine did the same thing and wouldn't start back up it keeps doing this what could it be?

It still might have been the gas. If there was something in the gas it may have plugged the fuel filter.

 

[Traveller11]

It still might have been the gas. If there was something in the gas it may have plugged the fuel filter.

Intruders don't come with a fuel filter but some owners add an in line filter. There are screens in the area circled in red.

 

[MelussaLukk]

Let us know what you find. I have a 2001 VS800 Intruder and it has a very similar problem. I believe it's a short but haven't been able to track it down yet. Now that I've seen all these other suggestions I have a few more things to try, didn't even know about the gas cap.

Well not the pump it's like it's losing the spark after it gets hot. I'll let u know what it Is.

 

[MelussaLukk]

Intruders don't come with a fuel filter but some owners add an in line filter. There are screens in the area circled in red.

View attachment 79096

It's losing the spark when it gets hot

 

[Traveller11]

You can try pulling the plug wires off the plugs then twist the end caps off. Trim a 1/4 inch off the wires then twist the caps back on.