1. Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

XJ1100 maxim running problems

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by riccampbell, Nov 26, 2016.

  1. riccampbell

    riccampbell New Member

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Huntingdon, UK.
    I have an '82 XJ1100 maxim that has unending starting/running problems I seem to be unable to sort out.

    What I have; very bad starting, sometimes it won't start, or it starts, then stops and will not re-start, or it starts, warms up, ticks over off choke but runs badly on the road, sometimes it will re-start, sometimes it won't, there is no rhyme or reason for this behaviour.

    What I have done so far. Carbs of and stripped, ultrasonically cleaned, all jets cleaned with carb cleaner, all passages blown through, float heights set, new diaphragms fitted. Tank removed and cleaned out, taps stripped and cleaned, new fuel lines, new fuel filter, vac tap by-passed, checked valve clearances, valve timing, new plugs and caps, new ignition unit, check all wiring, in desperation remove and strip loom! all OK, new petrol with additive used, new battery, I also use a slave battery, all volt drop tests OK.

    I spent all my working life as a Heavy goods mechanic, so all this is very embarrassing, can anyone out there help please? Ric
     
  2. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,792
    Likes Received:
    1,051
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near Irma, WI
    Your mechanical background is good but this may take some finesse.
    Have you done a running synch and colortune?
    What does "vac tap by-passed" mean?
    Have you bypassed the vacuum line that runs to the petcock?
     
  3. riccampbell

    riccampbell New Member

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Huntingdon, UK.
    Hello from the UK Stumplifter,

    I do have a colour tune, but didn't have a lot of success with it, perhaps I need to try harder. I have also spent hours with the bike on a remote tank adjusting the slow running again with little success. The trouble is you need to watch for overheating, again I may need to try harder. By "Running sync" do you mean balance the carbs? yes I did that. I also checked the auto advance, which works OK. The other thing I replaced were the carb to head rubbers

    "Vac tap bypassed" means I re-routed the fuel pipes and plugged the vacuum line, just to see if that was a problem. I think I have thought myself into a corner, fresh thinking is a good idea.

    Thanks for the reply, Ric.
     
  4. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    14,626
    Likes Received:
    5,008
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near utica, new york
    Did you clean the carb bowl enricher wells?
    Did you remove the mixture screws?

    Have you tested the ignition coils/stator/pickups/etc...
     
  5. riccampbell

    riccampbell New Member

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Huntingdon, UK.
    The carbs have been off and stripped several times, no dirt anywhere, plus they have been in the ultrasonic cleaning tank. I have had the mixture screws out and replaced the O rings, the small metal washers are in place.

    I have also checked all the engine electrics as per the book. The only thing is my book is a Clymer manual for the XS1100, not the XJ and there do seem to be some differences, I can only use my common sense, such as it is.

    I have a bad feeling I am missing something really obvious, so all ideas will be gratefully received. Ric.
     
  6. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    14,626
    Likes Received:
    5,008
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near utica, new york
    Have you physically blown air through all passages to verify they're open?
    Have you physically blown sir through the jets at the bottoms of the bowl enricher wells, and shown a light through to verify they're open?

    What are the voltage numbers on the battery.... Standing, vs. cranking?
     
  7. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,854
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    check your inbox for factory service manual
     
  8. mlew

    mlew Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,090
    Likes Received:
    241
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Apex, NC
    Check your side stand/neutral safety circuit, it may be intermittently cutting off ignition and starting . The relays are directly above the carbs.
     
  9. riccampbell

    riccampbell New Member

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Huntingdon, UK.
    I have a compressor and have blown air through all jets and passages. Can't remember the exact voltage numbers, I will check again. I had the motor apart and cleaned it all up when I sorted the gearbox out.

    A good point about the relays though, I hadn't thought of that. I will have a couple of shed days at the end of the week and post the results then, many thanks, Ric.
     
  10. riccampbell

    riccampbell New Member

    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Huntingdon, UK.
    Thank you for the service manual. Ric.
     
  11. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,613
    Likes Received:
    6,703
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Did you chck the rsistances of the ignition coils and th spark plug caps, and check the condition of the plug wires (by spraying water on them).
     
  12. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,663
    Likes Received:
    356
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Middle Tennessee
    +1. There's a intermittent connection somewhere .

    Gary H.
     
  13. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    14,626
    Likes Received:
    5,008
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near utica, new york
    I'm still wondering about battery voltage numbers
     
  14. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    14,626
    Likes Received:
    5,008
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near utica, new york
    This is what you look for--- lol

    ( on one of the maximX that I recently picked up). I took a video, too..... It was arcing all up and down the boot-- this is obviously just a single screenshot.

    image.jpeg
     
  15. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,663
    Likes Received:
    356
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Middle Tennessee
    Wanted to take 650 out for a spin last week. Turned the key...horn was blah, signals blah, all lights dim.Volt tested battery prior to charging. Volt test@ 12.6. Put battery back on bike and had a hard time starting (much like what ric described). Rode it a couple miles without turning it off. It felt like power was going in and out. Got back home and realized the license plate bulb wasn't lit. I thought it was in the bucket then I remembered the ground wire male bullet connector under the seat I keep saying I'm going to extend because it just reaches the female connector. Pushed in the connector, turned the key, thumbed the button...Varoom, varoom!

    Gary H.
     
  16. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,663
    Likes Received:
    356
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Middle Tennessee
    Best to look for it than to feel for it. The feel ain't no fun. lol.

    Gary H.
     
    hogfiddles likes this.
  17. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,854
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    thats very odd
     
  18. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

    Messages:
    3,690
    Likes Received:
    1,665
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    America's friendly hat
    Wow, hogfiddles' picture looks like one of those mini Tesla coil lightning generator doohickeys you see in science museums! Could that be used as a RoboCop style bike security system?
     
    Stumplifter likes this.
  19. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    14,626
    Likes Received:
    5,008
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    near utica, new york
    Funny..... That's' really what it looked like when it was running-----the purple sparks were dancing all over
     
  20. schmuckaholic

    schmuckaholic Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,260
    Likes Received:
    41
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    California
    Now I had to go watch that again. Thanks for that. :)

    For the uninitiated...

    MagnaVolt - Lethal Response

    /No embarrassing alarm noise
    //No need to trouble the police
    ///...and it won't even run down your battery!
     
    MattiThundrrr and hogfiddles like this.

Share This Page