1986 XT600 cutting out
 

Hi
I had problems starting my XT on the weekend after it not being used for 3 months after the engine had had a total rebuild. Put a new spark plug and some new fuel and it has been running like a dream for the last 3 days until last night on the way back from work it just cut out.

Tried kicking it and it was starting and running for about 20secs and when I gave it some throttle it would just cut out again.

Walked it home and put some more gas in it, tried starting it with the choke and the same thing happened. It would run for 20-30 secs and just cut out.

Any idea what it could be, could it be some crap in the fuel filter or could it be some blockage in the carb. Not very mechanically minded so will need to take it to my mate who is a mechanic but would be good if I could give him some thoughts

If your fuel valve has a bowl, unscrew it to see if it has residue in it, like rust flakes in the tank. If so, clean it. See if you have a steady flow of fuel from the fuel line going to the carb.

Next remove the carbs, remove the float bowl, does it have residue in it, if so, clean it but most importantly, carefully remove the float then remove the brass needle seat. There is 1 screw then an O ring, just grab it carefully with pliers and rock it out. There is a screen on the top side. Clean it and reseat the brass needle seat.

Take care in removing the pivot pin from the float. DO NOT TAP the pin out as it is very easy to break off the supports that hold the pin, Better to take some flush cutting diagonal pliers and slip in behind the pin head and work the pin out. Should come pretty easy. Same on reinstalling the pin, be careful. Many a carb has been damaged this way.

Steve