Start-up / Flooding(ZXR400)

[olionel]

Hello;

This is probably the umpteenth topic on carbs and engine flooding but here it goes:

Bike has been sitting since mid November in a garage. Fuel is probably off by now.

I tried to start it up few weeks ago and nothing, I have no electricity or heating in the garage so due to the cold I gave up like a wuss. Got new spark plugs since, started first time, perfect, first 10 seconds it sounded like it was running on 3cylinders then 4 sometimes...it kept the idle for a couple of minutes it would rev high fine but eventually it would die, strong smell of petrol. Anyways took the sparks out, couple of their tips were wet with petrol (normal ?). Covered the spark holes loosely with a cloth gave it overnight as it was getting dark, so everything should've evaporated. Tried again this morning, perfect start... then eventually starts smelling storngly of petrol and engine dying. I drained the floats and tried again now and it wouldn't start at all. Tested for spark, all leads and plugs work! Also there was petrol residue on the walls of the air intake of the 2nd carb. Engine is on 14k.

Do I have blocked jets? Or the worn O-ring between float cover and main body? Can I inspect the O ring without taking the whole assembly apart? (Im guessing just remove the fuel hoses and unscrew the holding screws?)

Ive never taken carbs apart before so not very confident. I'm gona go grab some redex and fresh fuel and see if that helps. Any more advice and diagnostics tips would be appreciated.

Oliver
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1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[loply]

Excuse my non-technical terminology, but are the parts of the carbs that rise and fall naturally under the passing air all moving freely?

The slidey thing with a needle on the bottom, that is...

Reach in with your finger and check that one or more of them hasn't become stiff.
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[fiery tupp]

Try stinkwheel's tip

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=214976
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If you can't fix it with a hammer , use your head .