ZX6R J1 Hard to start, cuts out on idle

[owl10]

Hi All.

Got an issue with my ZX6R J1 (year 2000), All help welcome!

Bike has covered 30k miles.

Was fine until recently, I noticed a backfire on startup.

After this, no backfire but took 10 mins to start (was worried battery wasn't going to make it)

Now, still very hard to start, regardless of where choke is, tends only to want a tiny amount of choke.

Eventually it will start, if leaving throttle well alone, however idles rough and wont hold an idle.

Its ok when riding.


Don't know when plugs were last changed (ive had the bike 3 years / 12k )so will do them next weekend.

Will also cover carbs in carb cleaner (were balanced 3 yrs ago)


Given the backfire, im wondering if some seals have perhaps gone on the carbs, leaving extra fuel in there and stopping starting?

Any other suspects (coilpacks?)

Any help appreciated, cheers.
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DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

[G]

Does choke make it better or worse?

Take carbs apart and clean each jet individually - never found carb cleaner to be that much use.

Check airfilter too.

[STONEY!]

Could be valve clearances, if they are tight it can produce results exactly like you describe

[G]

[Nobby the Bastard]

If it's fine once warm, I'm with Stoney.

The head will expand more than the valves when the engine is warm, opening up the valve clearances.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[owl10]

Double post as below
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DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

[owl10]

Opening Choke seems to make it worse.

Wont start with no choke, wont start with much choke, but with a tiny bit it takes a long time, it sounds like it wants to start but doesn't quite 'catch'.

After a while of doing this it eventually starts, then cuts out almost immediately. Next time lasts a bit longer... then repeat. Any throttle input at all at this point kills it

3rd or 4th time of this itll be okay to put some throttle in to keep revs up.

Would valve clearances occur so suddenly, one day fine next day fucked?

Bike is kept garaged, but left outside at work



Moving house in 3 weeks - Im lucky enough to have a garage at the new place as well. Dont really want to do too much now if I can help it though as all tools are boxed up - looks like will be using the cage for a while...
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DanceLikeAMonkey says: "An infinte amount of web pages available
Yet I still end up reading crap like that"

[austin460]

Hi

Any further updates on this problem as my J1 has just started showing the same symptoms.

Any help greatly appreciated

[stevo as b4]

My old J1 was from new a terrible hot starter. I think it's partly Kawasaki character like having the loudest 600cc airbox growl, the loosest rattly sounding engine, and a fairly vocal exhaust for a std can etc.

Was more than made up for by the silky smooth carburation, and useable drive from 2000rpm, along with a fit for the engine capacity midrange and no holes or flat spots CBR6 stylie!

I think they all suffer with fuel evaporation, and if parked when really hot, they always seem hard to start until it cools a fair bit. Mine used to backfire at times too, but cold starting was never as much of a problem.

Like you say they don't need much choke, and I used to knock mine off after 5-10sec and hold a fast 2000rpm idle for 20-30sec or until it would tickover with no throttle input.

If it's a bad cold starter, you may have dirt in the carbs, or blocked cold start jets etc. If the fuel is stale they seem a lot worse than normal too. Try a full tank of premium UL and maybe a fuel system cleaner as an experiment too if you like?

Mine would run fine on 95 or 98RON, but I tended to use 98RON Ultimate etc, as I wanted the best for it.

[austin460]

Thanks

Think Im gonna order myself some vacuum gauges and check the carb balance, Im sure its nothing serious, I changed the air filter a while back and have since been told the kawasaki ones which I used tend to come with too much oil on them and need drying off a bit before installing, I am also intending on changing the can at the end of the month so will probably have a right proper look at it then.

Thanks

[Nobby the Bastard]

[austin460]

No but will do that to, Just want to get the last of the summer in before I take too much on as things usually take me while to do cos of family commitments.
Thanks