GZ250 trouble starting

[semi_sonic18]

I have an '03 with about 750 miles on it. I got it last summer from a friend who let it sit for about two years. After draining and putting in new gas(93 octane), a new spark plug and running some carb cleaner through it I got it to run... sort of. To get it to start and stay started I have to spray the air filter with starter fluid. It also back fires a lot, mostly toward the top end of a gear or when changing gears. Should I just put some carb cleaner straight in the carb and let it sit for awhile and see if that clears anything out? Switch the gas for regular? any suggestions would be great!!

[Tedi Tabytha]

Yes and yes.

If you mixed old gas and new, you definitely need to drain it ALL out and start over.

What kind of cleaner are you using?
May have to take the carb apart for a manual cleaning.
Depending on the shop, you can usually get that done for ~ $100 or less.

Might want to join us here:
Suzuki GZ250 Forum - Index page

[susy_04_u]

I ran some seafoam through it and that helped a bit then i used berryman's b12 and that got it to where it is now. I'll start posting to the link now. Thanks!