Starting problems

[John]

Been about a week since I started the bike. It started first time, ran for a few seconds then died.

It did that about 5 times, so i pulled the choke on. It was worse with the choke on so it went back off. It then seemed to run ok for a moment then just die, eg hold the revs at 4000, it stays there for a few moments then dies.

I dryed the spark plug thinking that might have had something to do with it.

Now it just backfires when you try and start it.

Any ideas?

Thanks
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[John]

It's still not working.

Help
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[Danny]

Sorry to hear that mate. I'm sure Keith will give you some things to try when he's online.

[John]

I think something is just wet somewhere, hope so anway.

Thanks for the sympathy though
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[xlfive]

is the bike used often , how long since you put fresh fuel in if the fuel has been in a while it may have moisture droplets in it therefore the mix wont be right also check the plug lead for moisture give a spray with water repelent spray to all electrical connections

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would drain the carb and then try again. Suspect water in the carb as a first guess.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

Will try that ASAP!

Thanks

(Flippin' hope it works, i'm going put the cover on from now onwards!)
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure that is the problem, but it is simple and cheap to check / fix. As it is running for a short while it probably is sparking OK.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

Opened the drain plug and made a mess, still the same thing though.

It just backfires as you kick it.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Do you mean backfiring through the exhaust or through the carb / airbox?

First would suggest that the engine is possibly flooded. Might be worth taking out the spark plug and taking the exhaust off and then kicking the engine over (ignition off). Empty the exhaust just in case that is full of petrol.

For the second it would suggest that the disk / reed valve are not sealing.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

I don't know. The kickstart just bounces backwards after you kick it.

Taking off the exhaust sounds like a big job.

I've taken the carb off and will put it back on tommorrow I guess, just to see if that makes any difference.

Thanks
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Kicking back isn't that unusual on any bike. Get it really wrong on a old 4 stroke single and they have been known to break peoples legs! However that is made worse by ignition timing.

Taking the exhaust off should be fairly easy. Probably easier than taking the carb off if a bike is still running with an airbox.

Was the petrol turned on while the bike wasn't in use?

All the best

Keith
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[John]

Hi,

Yeah it was. That's probably done it, hasn't it? Stupid me.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Could be. Allowing some petrol to drain through while the bike is standing.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

I didn't quite understand what you put above about the exhaust.

Will that help get the petrol out the engine?

Thanks
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Well the fuel will flow down through the engine and can go down the exhaust (although not likely without REALLY flooding it), but some will get sent down there when you kick it over if it is a bit flooded.

Not that necessary. I would mainly take the plug out and kick it over (with the ignition off) and see what comes out. Try also leaving it over night with the plug out to let any fuel evaporate (avoid leaving it in the rain like this ).

All the best

Keith
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[tom rg 125]

Hello there could be a small blockage in one of the lines, Put it on reserve and try it again.

[John]

I kicked it over 60 times, nothing came out the exhaust.

I've covered the bike up and taken out the plug.

I've opened the carb and put it into the airing cupboard.

Hopefuly when I put it back together it might randomly start?
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[Kickstart]

Hi

As the bike was running fine a week before it does sound like a minor problem. Most likely problem in that case would be fuel related, and flooding it is quite likely. Hopefully leaving it to air for a bit should allow it to start.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

Put it back together this morning.

After about 10 kicks it started for around 1-2 seconds, and it won't do any more now.


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[Kickstart]

Hi

Get a can of cold start or carb cleaner (carb cleaner seems less violent so might be a better idea, although even WD40 will do the job). Turn the ignition on. Make certain the choke is off (if it is flooded the choke will make the problem far worse). Get someone to spray the stuff into the carb as you kick the engine over (using full throttle). Hopefully that will keep it running. Hopefully once running it will clear itself out.

Remember that when doing this the stuff is highy flammable, so be very careful and don't spray if all over the bike around the carb as you don't want it to backfire through the carb and set fire to itself (certainly not if it is inside).

I am not certain that it is flooded but it does see like the best chance. If this fails then it is probably time to start from the basics checking ignition timing, compression, etc.

All the best

Keith
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[John]

Where do you spray it into the carb? And should the fuel be on or off at this point?

Thanks Keith
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Spray in straight into the carb intake from the airbox / air filter.

Although you could turn the fuel off it will take ages to use up that in the fuel pipe and carb. However on a slide carb on full throttle at VERY low revs (ie, when you are kicking it over) then the carb is not going to work very well, and should not draw in much fuel so should land up being a bit lean. This is why I suggest using full throttle (just be ready to close it quickly).

All the best

Keith
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[John]

OK, Will give that a go, thanks.
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[John]

So close.

Started and reved to about 5k for a few seconds, then died.

Plug is wet now, still got half a can to go though, and i'm not about to give up yet!
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