Poor Starting
 

I hope this explains the problem in a clear way - any help is much appreciated.

My XTZ660 (Same carbs I beleive as other XT's - Twin Choke) suffers from poor starting.

• If the bike is ridenn every day - no problem
• If the bike is not riden for a day - usually no problem
• If the bike is not run for 2 or more days - big problems

It seems that the starter turns the engine but it does not fire. The sparks firing but no ignition is taking place.

• BUT
• if turn off the fuel tap
• Drain the Carb Float Bowl with the drain screw
• Tighten it up
• Turn on the Fuel Tap

Bingo!

Fires up EVERY TIME on the first rotation of the Starter motor.

SO without sounding too simplistic - is it possible that my petrol is going off in my Carb Float Bowl - I know this happens if you leave it for a long time - but I would have thought 36+ hours was not a long time

OR is it possible that my floats or bowl lining are affecting my fuel quickly?

I am stuck by this - any suggestion much appreciated and welcome.

Tony.

[This message has been edited by Tony Robson (edited 11 February 2003).]

Tony

I have a foot in both the XTZ660 & XT600 camps on this one:

660 Engine (I had an SZR660 for 4 years) - this was an annoying & regular problem, with draining the float bowl (or turning over for ever) being the only way to start the thing - especially in cold weather.

XT600 (4PT version) - Had for 6 months & fires up within a couple of spins every time.

I even put on a second set of carbs onto the 660 to try & eliminate the problem but to no avail.

Perhaps the likes of Klaus or DL may have a suggestion.

Cheers
Bish

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this is normal if the bike is left unused for several days, especially under normal weather conditions in GB ;-)
she is just eager to be ridden every day.
if you are not able to do so, just close the fuel taps short before you reach home so that the carb bowl is empty just when you reach home (appr. 0.5 - 1 km).
when starting, let the starter not turn longer than 5 sec., then wait for a minute and try again. this extends battery life significantly.

background:
additives in the fuel evaporate after some time which makes the fuel mix less ignitionable. cold, wet air makes ignition more difficult.
adjusting the idle mix screw might help a little.
if you put a cold battery under load (like on starting) it will warm up, and that in turn will increase the amps you can draw from the battery.

regards
klaus