I have spark but is it enough...?

This site is awesome. I just signed up and joined. I bought a 1982 Seca 650 for $600 It's a little rough, came with an extra tank, a set of spare Canadian forks and some other extra goodies. Well I thought the machine was running ok... Then I realized she was only firing on 2 and 3. So i immediately thought, "Hey bad coil!" So I checked it, had spark. Both 1 and 4 have spark, compression and fuel... Could it be not enough spark?, switched the lplugs and nothing happened. I think tomorrow I am goin to get some extra coils from a friend... Whats your take on the situation? And thanks for having and being a part of this awesome site!

 

These things don't have a real killer spark, especially when cranking. If it's jumping the gap it's probably ok.

You can almost bet it's the carbs. Go to the XJ FAQ suggestions board and read the tutorials on carburetor cleaning and adjustment. Take no short cuts or you'll have to keep redoing them until you don't cut corners.

 

Winner of the "Best Advice of the Year Award", right there......

 

Hey Kenny, I'm in a similar boat. Here are some references I'm going to be using when I get a few minutes, maybe they'll help you.

http://www.electrosport.com/media/pdf/f ... iagram.pdf
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/w ... index.html

I just picked up an '81 Seca 650 last week for $500. She started instantly, I rode her home sixty miles in the rain, and she stalled once about halfway and wouldn't start again for a few minutes but then made it the rest of the way just fine. Figuring it for a fluke I tried riding again a couple days later, and it stalled again and wouldn't start until I put a battery booster on it. I pulled a sparkplug, and it sparks weakly when the engine isn't firing but strong when it is; it's a very noticeable difference. So I put in a new battery, which seemed to help a little, but it still dies once it gets warm. I'm thinking about the igniter and coils.

-Matt

 

Thanks guys. I am gonna go ahead and do that tomorrow, I'll get back with the results

 

Okay, I'm getting frustrated. I reflowed all the solder in the igniter, pulled the carbs and did a full cleaning, and cleaned the petcock and filter. I even replaced the fuel line 'cause I noticed a bit of a kink. The bike started easy on the first try, ran great for a test ride, four cylinders with good power, then as soon as I tried to go to work it died and wouldn't restart.

 

The bike didn't want to go to work.

Have you checked all your electrical connections?

 

I'm thinking fuses maybe. Some people here have said they get flaky with heat and vibration.

 

Do you have the original glass tube style fuses?

 

If you had a successful test ride, your TCI is not the issue. The fuse box on these bikes is notoriously junk, replace it at your first opportunity with a newer one (like the one Chacal sells) or use the individually sealed inline fuse holders available at most auto stores. Use the ATO variety, cheap and easy to see when they blow.

 

Roger that, they're the original glass tube fuses. Thanks for the advice, wish me luck!

 

If you have the Old Style Fuse Box, ... the Fuse and the Connection will LOOK good. Maybe even Test good, but still be loose enough in the clips to cause a circuit problem.

Did you SWAP the COIL PLUG-IN's to see if the missing Cylinders changed?
If you are Missing on 1 + 4 ... and you swap the PIGTAILS of the Coils and the Miss moves to 2 + 3 you know the Coil is the problem.

You should do a Compression Test.

See what condition your condition is in!!

 

I was having an issue with one cylinder being weaker than the others. After checking everything and it all checking good I pulled the coils and noticed they had some good sized cracks in them. I taped up the connections and sprayed a good layer of rubberized undercoating on them, put 'em back on and my bike is back to smooth running.

 

It would seem the fuse box was my problem. I soldered in a new one and she seems to be holding up.

 

mhajicek CLEAN you carbs!!!! The first thing you have to do is CLEAN YOUR carbs. A PO will tell you anything to sell a bike. EVEN if he knows you, unless he is a XJ bikes member. DO NOT mess with anything until carbs have been cleaned!!!!!!!! ALL new owners of these bikes need to clean the carbs if there are ANY issues with poor starting or running. In fact carbs need to be cleaned no matter what!!!
Thank you I will go away now that y rant is over.

 

I hear you Ground-Hugger. If you look at my post of Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:45 pm I did pull and clean the carbs.

 

I Know it's been a while but i just wanted to say i figured it out! shorty after I lost internet and wasn't able to fill you in, come to find out the kid who had in before me didn't have any gaskets on the boots between the engine and the carbs. So I made some and she fired right up! I have been riding ever since!!! I live in Central New york and the weather is just getting nice too!

 

Not to butt into your post, but I noticed on my newly purchased xj 550 that the boots between the carbs and block look cracked/dryrotted, even though the po claimed to have had the carbs cleaned at a local dealership. Well I'm having troubles getting it started and staying running, only starts with starter fluid now and will usually die after idling a few minutes. Where can I find these boots and isn't there someone on here that cleans carbs for people? I'm pretty intimidated to clean them myself as a new owner with poor mechanical skills, lol.

Thanks