Just bought an XJ 550

The bike turns over but the engine won't start. My friend just took off the carbs and will probably look at them tomorrow. Basically the previous owner didn't realize someone down the line sealed the fuel tank with some metallic goopy stuff so there are chunks of it in the fuel tank. He said when he first got the bike the bike wouldn't run strong meaning the carbs were getting clogged with whatever was in the fuel tank. He then removed the fuel filter in an attempt to increase the power of the vacuum from the fuel tank, which allowed for this junk to pass into the fuel line. What I'm wondering however is if something like this could ruin the carburetors.

Thanks

 

Probably not ruin ...

But, certainly needing to be COMPLETELY Cleaned and Overhauled.

Although there are Screen Filter Caps on the Float Valves ... you'll still have to do a whole Carb Cleaning process ... basically, to get in there and see what's-what and what to do about it.

The good news is:
Everything's made out of Aluminum and Brass. Made to last forever.

Bad news:
Some of the little, tiny, holes in some of the Jets and Metering Ports are so incredibly small ... a tiny grain of sand could clog-it-up and halt the flow of fuel.