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High idle after running low on fuel

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Colin 85 700, May 15, 2019.

  1. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    so the other day im out for a short ride, i was low on fuel, but decided to go the long way to the gas station to put a few miles on. (Not the best idea)
    Anyhow, im doing 100 kmh down the highway and my bike starts to miss, pop, fart, loose power. Gas light is on! Idiot!
    I flipped the petcock to prime as im loosing speed and the engine caught and barked back up.
    I then flipped the petcock to reserve, everything seemed fine, untill i got to a light, the idle was hanging at 2000 rpm or a bit over.
    I assumed at the time that due to reduced head pressure at the tank from low fuel, possibly the carbs werent staying full enough and she was lean at idle.
    However when i fueled the bike up and returned the petcock to ON, the high idle issue remained.
    I adjusted the idle knob to about 1000 but then it wanted to run too low once in a while, if i turn it up it either runs at 2000, or i can get it to hang a bit at 1500 then drop to 1100
    If i try to set it at 1000 it wont always stay there and drops out.
    Other than the possibility that i picked up some crap in the idle circuits (petcock filters are good)
    Any other things i should check? Or that i may have damaged?
     
  2. k-moe

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

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    No inline filter before the carbs?
    Assume that crap is now in the carbs unless the tank is spotless and was rinsed to remove any accumulated junk.
     
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  3. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    Ummm no and no, i knew it i was just looking for an out i guess... ;)
    At least with pods theyre easy to pop off, can probly have em gunked out in under an hour...
     
  4. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    do you have the little screen caps on the float needle valve bodies?
    could be those are clogged with above mentioned crap from tank


    pods maybe they came loose from the pops and such
     
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  5. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    ^^^^ tank was cleaned, but before paint months ago and it sat before install so not spotless
     
  6. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    No idea, the bike has run fine for 3 summers, when i had em off for the winter i cleaned bowls but didnt dare touch anything else, didnt want to retune.
    When reinstalled it ran same as ever till the low fuel thing.
    Thinking gunk but making sure i dont miss something when i do go at it.
    Per those screens if i knew if they were there i probly woulda checked em when they are off i know they are an area that gets plugged easy on atvs n such
     
  7. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    Quick one, are the seats on my XJ o-ring or gasket seals?
    Either way what diameter so i can order new ones from my shop before i pull the seats to be sure they dont leak when im done.
    Pretty sure they are 9mm o-ring but i dont like being wrong so i like asking questions instead. :)
    Thanks in advance.
     
  8. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    my orings come from len that way I do not have to worry about the sizes

    when you pull out the float needle valve bodies the screen is on top of the body the fuel flows into the tee and across the carbs to those screens then into the bowls. also the fuel rail (tee and tubes )between the carbs can clog at the carb body
     
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  10. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    Ya, thats why i originally figured it was runnng a high/lean idle in reserve, less head pressure from gravity with low gas etc etc, but when it didnt get better fueled up figured it was crap picked up on res position.
    Thanks a load xj550 on the needle valve screen info, i probly woulda cleaned the idle circuits n never checked em, not knowing they were there. I will however when i get the carbs off.
     
  11. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    Len is too far away from me...
     

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