XT600E Non-starter
 

Hi all,

I have a 1997 XT600E 4PT that has a chronic starting problem. It will not start normally using the proper methods - it used to be first time, every time but now it just won't fire up unless I back up the starting using my van and jump-leads. After prolonged start button pressing, choke on, choke off, clutch in, etc it will just drain the bike battery before firing up. I've changed the plug, looks good, spark decent. Fuel getting through, still no luck. I did get it started twice before using my van and jump-leads to keep the starter-motor turning long after the battery died. Any suggestions as to what I can do to try and improve my starting, without using the van ! would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

XTC123

At the risk of stating the obvious, you shouldn't need to back up the bike's battery with a van! The XT battery is small, but is well up to starting a bike in good condition. Running the starter for long periods on a bigger battery risks burning out the starter motor and giving you another headache.

The usual mantra is that if you have a spark at the right time and fuel in the right quantity, the bike must start. As you have a spark and fuel, it follows that either the spark is happening at the wrong time or the fuel is not reaching the engine in the right quantity - too much or too little. Your investigations need to start with this. (That's assuming there is no significant mechanical fault, such as a broken camchain, of course. As you can get it to run eventually, you can discount that.)

Thankd BDZ. I know the risks of the van, but a man needs his bike and when it won't go, well, by any means necessary, I must start it ! :smile2:

Seriously though, I'll now focus on the fuel and spark timing. Once it's running, it runs fine, I have it ticking over at 1,000rpm as normal. Stopped and started OK until I left it for 10 days and back to square one.

Cheers

XTC123

If the starter doesn't sound healthy have a look at the connections in the starter relay, they can get corroded.

Is the carb clean and properly adjusted? No blockages or holed diaphragms?

Al

Cheers Todderz, the starter sounds OK I think. Turns over fine when the battery's charged up. Bike's good when it's running which tells me fuels flowing but I think it's time to get that carb off and give it a good going over.

Cheers

XTC123

I take it you're sure that the battery is healthy? Good voltage?

Yeah good. Held a charge over winter without dropping. Just dies with prolonged starting action but charges up again well enough.

Just wondering,have you checked for air leaks from the rubber between the carb & cylinder head? Is the choke working properly?
If you've got fuel & a spark have you checked the valve clearances?
Mark

Hi Mark,

Not checked around the carb though will give it a thorough going over shortly. Choke seems to be fine. Valve clearances not checked yet.:thumbup1:

Cheers

XTC123

I know what that problem is! :rofl:

You probably have cracked fuel lines.
It's the ones that go from and to the fuel tap!

My father and I used to tie the bike to the jeep and and "bump-start" her...
which was even crazier than using jump-leads :rofl:


If you squirt some fuel into the cylinder through the sparkplug hole, fit the sparkplug back and give it a go with the e-start she will start right away!


Vando :cool4:

Might be worth doing a compression test... Rings and/or valves worn????

If the bike is running and idling well once it is started, then that points to a faulty choke, IWHT. Choke, air leaks,then basics like plug gaps and valve clearances. I'd also be having the carbs off for good clean and blow-through and a check of float levels.

I always reckon that if the bike runs OK, there can't be that much wrong with it!

Thanks everyone, all input very much appreciated. I'll report back once I've done a bit more work on her.

Cheers.

XTC123
:thumbup1:

Bacardi23 you are a star. A cracked fuel line was indeed the fault and as soon as I replaced it she fired up first time. :D

I celebrated her coming back to life with a 20 mile ride in the green lanes around Bath in the pouring rain. Absolutely glorious.:mchappy:

Many thanks to everyone else for their help, I'm sure your suggestions will come in handy in future. :thumbup1:

Cheers

XTC123

Glad I could help!

ahhh, pouring rain...green lanes....I miss my XT =(


Vando :cool4: