83 xj650 starting problems (friggin lost!)

Hellow fellow xjers!

I hope I am not breaking protocall here by starting this thread but here goes.

My xj won't start!

I have taken apart the carbs, cleaned them, checked the diaphrams for tears, checked the floats, checked the springs, checked the needles. Everything I could think of.

Still, when I go to start it, it cranks fine, but doesn't start easy.

In fact, the only way I can get it to start is by taking out a spark plug, turning it iver and sprying starting fluid into the motor. But it doesn't happen fast. It takes about a half a can of starting fluid!

Now, once it does finally start, it will start up again, so long as it is still warm. But, wait over night, and try to start it again and I have the same danged problem!

Any thoughts guys?

Thanks in advance!

 

A couple things... did you pull the carbs because of this starting problem or did you just start having it after you put them back on? Does the bike run good once it's warmed up? Sounds like there could be a problem with the choke... although in this weather the bike should reluctantly start without it. First thing I would do would be check for excess slack in the choke cable.

Kind of made me cringe the part about shooting all that ether in a spark plug hole, but I guess that's better than running it through the carbs.

 

My guess your carbs are not fully clean (Church of Clean) ..Pull carbs ,remove float bowls the enrichment jet is plugged up with out a doubt ...take carb cleaner with tube aim bowl away from you spray in the well in bottom of bowl if nothing comes out it is plugged if not should spray about 10ft .

 

Thanks for the reply. I pulled the carbs and cleaned them (best I could) because of that, and it sputters at first when given throttle.

I'm still having the problem though.

 

Thanks. I will pull the carbs and check them!

I'm a newb to this stuff. I'm a carpenter, but not a mechanic. I am good at figuring things out though this one has got me.

 

Valve clearances.

 

spray starting fluid into carbs or airbox not cylinders.

are you using the choke to start bike
choke and no throttle should start it if it is going to start

have you ohmed out your ignition system to ensure it is in spec?

battery must be fully charged and not drop below 9.5 volts when starter button is pushed or tci will not fire

this link will have electrical and ignition specs
The Ultimate Relay, Switch, Sensor, and Diodes Guide

 

Damn it Jim!

 

Not to sound like a broken record , the best and only way to get bike to run RIGHT is to completely tear down carbs, replace the throttle shaft seals , soak each carb in carb cleaner ( not using a spray can ) ( I use a 1 gallon Berrymans from Autozone ) for about an hour for each carb so the rack has to be "broke"(carbs screws removed from rails) go to xj4ever at rt top of page information overload goes into more detail . Once carbs are fully cleaned and reassembled do a bench synch of carbs, dry set float level 17mm is a good starting point ,followed by a wet set . I know this sounds daunting , you don't need a bunch of tools, most of this is time allow about 4 to 5 hrs .

 

If your not sure what jetfixxer is talking about, these pics will show you