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Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by nayonline, Apr 5, 2007.

  1. nayonline

    nayonline Member

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    trying to start my XJ550 after ~5 months. was always a slow starter, often used jumper cables for an extra boost or starting fluid. Nothings working now though. turns over fine and caught for a second a few times but didn't last. plugs spark but plugs themselves are dark. i don't think the tank screens clogged.

    plugs maybe? carbs? been meaning to clean them for a while - if/when i do i'll be going at it with little experince and my clymer manual, so a little worried (have sprayed cleaner into carbs through where air filter goes a number of times).

    thoughts? thanks - nathan
     
    nayonline, Apr 5, 2007
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  2. bosozoku

    bosozoku Member

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    bosozoku, Apr 5, 2007
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  3. nayonline

    nayonline Member

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    thanks.

    just curious - when you do use carb cleaner where do you spray it on/in the carbs? i didn't spray into the air filter - removed that first and sprayed - maybe thats worse.
     
    nayonline, Apr 5, 2007
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  4. bosozoku

    bosozoku Member

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    I'm glad you pulled the air filter first: I've seen what happens when well-intentioned car owners squirt in a can of carb cleaner without pulling the filter first, and it's kind of ugly.

    Spray the cleaner down the carburetors' throats. It probably didn't hurt anything, as long as it was able to drain out of the airbox quickly.

    If the carbs are gunked up enough to have you reaching for a can of cleaner, they really need to be pulled out and done right. The carb-cleaning thread here on the XJ forums will guide you through it.
     
    bosozoku, Apr 5, 2007
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  5. BlueMaxim

    BlueMaxim Active Member

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    Spraying in though the air box does no good at all. A can of Seafoam in a full tank, then a run on the highway for several miles will be much more helpful. Before removing the carbs and breaking them down I would suggest half a can of Seafoam to one gallon of gas in the tank. Run the bike until the Seafoam starts to smoke out of the exhaust then let it sit over night. Fill the tank in the morning to dilute the Seafoam mixture and ride on the highway for several miles. To get it to crank I would suggest new plugs. Strange how new plugs make these bikes start right up.
     
    BlueMaxim, Apr 5, 2007
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