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help please I'm about to catch it on fire

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by vanone750, Aug 16, 2011.

  1. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    I had a slight miss and had to rev way up and ease out the clutch to pull out. Pulled the carbs off and cleaned them and didn't pay attention to what I was doing now I can't get it running. I ordered another set of carbs on here, put them on and it flooded out the airbox. Took them off and found a float valves messed up and took two off the other set of carbs. Still no start, not flooded (I don't believe) just after sitting for an hour or two it hits once or twice then just cranks. I have taken the carbs off 5 times now. Changes the oil, just for the heck of it. Nothing bad there. The first set of carbs fired back up but after comparing them to the ones I ordered I had 1/2 of the main jets and pilot jets reversed . Fixed all of that and may go back to the original carbs. I believe the floats are not set right. HELP, PLEASE!!!!
     
  2. skw1972

    skw1972 Member

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    do you know how to set the floats, measurements,etc.? and how to do a "live fluid test? Just asking cause I didnt not trying to be rude or nothing.
    If I knew how to post links There are threads that cover that, thats how I got through it. maybe use the search feature and try "float adjustment"? or pm bigfitz52 or rickomatic they got me through it
     
  3. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    skw 1972, no I haven't tried it yet. I did read a post by bigfitz and I was so confused I bought a repair manual from Haynes on e-bay. I got it today and it did not help. I guess I'm gonna have to take the time to figure it out or take it to a pro. I don't have the cash of that though. Thanks.
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    vanone750

    Here's where having your LOCATION appear along with THUMBS about your Bike would be very helpful.

    Install a FUEL Shut-off Valve just after the Petcock as Insurance until the problems you have are resolved.
    Hardware Store - Briggs & Stratton - $11.00

    [​IMG]

    After you have Installed the FUEL Shut-Off ... We'll go after the Carbs and whatever else might be giving you fits.
    For Part-2 of Getting Running, ... you need.

    A Workshop Manual.
    Yamaha Factory - Best
    Haynes - Clymer - 2nd Best
     
  5. skw1972

    skw1972 Member

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    ok the shoort of is this. from the the surface of where the float bowl gasket goes to the top of the float needs to be set at 17mm. you will need to get yourself a caliper of some sort, one with a depth gauge is best. you adjust the float level by CAREFULLY bending the tang ( thats the little metal tab the float need hangs off of). But you want to hold your carbs at about 30 or 40 degrees to take this measurement--here's the deal with that part, if the carbs are just sitting flat the wieght of the floats will be pushing down on the floats and you wont get an accurate measurement, so- by hold the carbs at an angle-just enough to take the wieght of the floats off the needle set ( thats the little thing hanging off the metal tab) you get an accurate measurement. there is a little raised "lip" dont meausre from there, measure from the flat part. The gasket will need to be removed for this. do it carefully and you can save the gasket. I seen a you tube video on how to do it, they used a carb from a different bike but the process is the same. Im sure someone with posting link skills may chime in with a link, or you can look it up. get that that done first and then we can talk about live fluid test. All this smoked my gear too at first but it's all pretty easy. I'll do whatever I can to help. Also if Rickomatic tells you anything listen to him. If he tells you to put a ham sandwich under the seat then do it, he KNOWS what he is talking about and he'll never tell you wrong.
     
  6. BillThyCat

    BillThyCat Member

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    Do you measure to the highest point of the float? or to the center of the float?

    BTC
     
  7. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    You don't NEED a set of Calipers.
    They're nice.
    But, you can still get an ACCURATE Measure if you go get a METRIC Machinists Pocket Ruler.
    (Mines not Metric)

    Glue a Toothpick to the Pocket Clip "Tee"
    (Add Red Magic Marker for Photos)

    [​IMG]
     
  8. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    Rick, I don't need the shut off valve I meant I was so upset with the bike I was ready to douse it with gas. All the posts I have read said you could not do a dry measurement. I thought there had to be a way. I already have a Haynes manual
     
  9. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    thanks skw1972 and Rick, I hope to resolve this issue I haven't been able to ride it but a week after I bought it. Kind of wish I hadn't started taking it apart, but I had her sideways because of having to rev it so hard to get it to take off. I now have 2 sets of carbs reckon I should get some new needle valves for the floats and use the second set to set up or take the good ones off the bike and reset them?
     
  10. skw1972

    skw1972 Member

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    the carbs gotta be off the bike to do this, at least I dont see any other way. Also the live fluid test would probably be easier off the bike too, how I did it any way. and while they are off a real cleaning and clunk test would be in order if not already done, if they aint clean, like really clean, for real clean, they aint gonna be right anyway.
     
  11. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    First of all, ... I very confused.

    I gather that ... You have to give it throttle ... to "Take-off"

    I have a sinking feeling that your Pilot Mixtures are all to blame.

    Try this Q-&-D (Quick & Dirty) -- Shortcut.
    A Golf Tee works great.
    Cut the Point off the Tee ... flush and clean, with a Razor.
    Measure: 9/32nds _ from the Cut-off ... and Scribe a line around the shaft of the Tee.

    Use this as a DEPTH GAUGE.

    PRESET your Pilot Mixture Screws to the Depth marked on the Tee.
    Put the Tee in the Hole.
    Look at the Line you scribed on it.
    Adjust the SCREW so that the LINE is LEVEL with the Top of the Hole.

    Make the Adjustment and Report your findings.
     
  12. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    Rick, 9/32 is awful long. I bottomed the mixture screw on the extra set of carbs I have and the scrib mark on the tee still sticks out over close to 3/16
     
  13. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    Gathering bits + pieces from the posts.... have you done the basics with any carb issue?

    Valve shims
    Carb rebuild (the whole nine yards)
    air leaks at the throttle shaft seals?
    check your fuel levels WET! Dry only gets you to a good starting point.
    Bench sync?
     
  14. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    My bad!

    The PreSet is actually: 9/64ths (4~5/32nds)

    This is where I measured my Pilots, this morning, to correct this Post.
    This should give you IDLE.
    This should give you, ... "Out of the hole" supplemental richness.

    Here's my Plugs at that setting.

    [​IMG]

    The 4-Hole looks a bit Rich, ... but I think thats a Valve Seal.
     
  15. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    Rick, that sounds much better. I took the carbs back off the bike (once again). The ones I bought of this sight I did not look at, I just put them on the bike. When I took them apart a minute ago the plate that was covering the main and air jet was not there in all 4 carbs. I took the ones off of my second set and put in there. I couldn't find a slide rule so I went and bought electronic calipers and set the floats all to 17 mm. They were way off. I also loosened the screw in the bottom of the bowl for wet float adjustment and put it back in. I can not get the covers off the pilot mixture screws. I have to jump in the shower and get ready for work. I'll try to check back at work with you and see what's next. Carbs are clean all the way through, needle floats are great.
     
  16. vanone750

    vanone750 Member

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    Rick,

    Finally got the covers off the pilot mixture screws and got them set to 9/64 or 3.5719mm whichever you prefer. The electronic calipers with the slide rule are great. So I believe I have done everything except the wet method of float adjustment. If is safe to say we can proceed to putting the carbs back on or not? Ordered the headlight today by the way, should be here tomorrow, I'll send pics when done. Thanks for your help so far.
     

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