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Sticking Float?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by gmb66, Mar 26, 2008.

  1. gmb66

    gmb66 Member

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    I have an 85 Maxim X 700. Took the carbs off last weekend and cleaned them. Bike ran great for a couple of days then gas started pouring out one of the air boots. Took a screwdriver and tapped the top of the carb and it stopped. Ok, bike running fine again. Last night after 10 miles bike just quit while taking off in first and going up a hill. Everytime I twist the throttle it goes dead. Pushed it back to the house (FUN !!!) and let it sit overnight. Almost didnt crank today then ran fine for 1 mile and died again. Everytime I throttle it , it dies. Pushed back to the house again (more FUN !!!) . At first I thought it was flooding but could it really be starving? If so why does it run for awhile and quit? I have read and searched the archives, and I'm more confused than ever. It may be time to haul it to the shop because this may be out of my league I just dont know enough to figure it out myself. This is my first bike and I have got to ride a grand total of 18 miles. Just getting fustrated I guess. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. Thanks,
    Gary
     
    gmb66, Mar 26, 2008
    #1
  2. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    If its flooding and dies, you pull the plugs and they are wet with gas.
    If it is fuel starving, it will idle forever, but not take "throttle"

    You need to flow test the petcock into an approved container.
    I approve a beer can!
    It sounds like you are up against an easy problem, keep us posted!
     
    TIMEtoRIDE, Mar 26, 2008
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  3. faighaigh

    faighaigh Member

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    Check your float levels.

    Had the same problem a while ago first time out after an ex-Yamaha race team mechanic worked on the bike inc the carbs. Turned out the float levels were lousey and the carbs were flooding. I'll tell you pushing an xj home when you live on the side of a mountain is an experience.

    Faighaigh.
     
    faighaigh, Mar 27, 2008
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  4. gmb66

    gmb66 Member

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    Thanks for the replies guys. I hope tonight to be able to check out the plugs. Probably be Sat before I can check the floats. But thanks for steering me in the right direction. And yes pushing stinks! Glad I dont live on a mountain.
    Gary
     
    gmb66, Mar 27, 2008
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  5. dburnettesr

    dburnettesr Member

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    Oh
    you can use a Qtip chucked in a dremel an some polishing compound to polish the barrel the float needles moves in,,,as these are corroded up sometimes,,,fuel an the tank need to be contaniment free also,,,some run a filter,,,Dan
     
    dburnettesr, Mar 27, 2008
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  6. gmb66

    gmb66 Member

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    OK I checked the plugs after it died again, and they are dry.
    I checked the petcock valve for flow including using vacuum and it passed.
    So I guess I move on now to the floats.
    It's funny how it will idle forever untill you throttle it, then its like you hit the kill switch.

    Gary
     
    gmb66, Mar 27, 2008
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  7. gmb66

    gmb66 Member

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    One more thought, what about a bad diaphram in one of the carbs? Would that cause this problem?
    Gary
     
    gmb66, Mar 27, 2008
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