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At a loss... Solved?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by aaron_acrusto, Jul 21, 2012.

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  1. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Ok. I just kinda poured a capful in each bore. The hose is pretty long too. It's a harbor freight gauge if that means much... I've been trying to
    Track down another one to test against as well.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #21
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Did you REMOVE the jets, all of them, and clean them?

    Did you REMOVE the EMULSION TUBES and clean them thoroughly, inside and out?

    Did you REMOVE the float valve seats, and check the condition of the "beanie screens" and replace (or remove) them?

    It sounds to me like you've shortcut your carb service. If the bike starts/runs, it's making more than 80psi and you just goofed the compression test is all. Unplug the TCI next time (easier than grounding the plugs) and if you do the compression test with the carbs OFF, you don't need to worry about holding the throttles open.

    SLOW DOWN, back up and do it right. Carefully. Thoroughly. Or sign up for the "I've cleaned my carbs five times" club. Your choice. Oh, and if your petcock is peeing gas, you might want to fix that before too long.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 22, 2012
    #22
  3. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    I pulled everything, short of breaking g the rack. Pilot screws, every jet, emulsion tube, needle seats, and enrichment plunger. Twice. Confirmed air and
    Fluid flowing through every port.

    Beanie screens were rough. But I did clean them best I could. Can it be run without them?
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #23
  4. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Could setting my floats too low cause this?
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #24
  5. adrian1

    adrian1 Active Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Could there be loose stuff undoing your good work each time? Ie rust or similar re blocking the jets? Might pay to fit a fuel filter...
     
    adrian1, Jul 22, 2012
    #25
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    If the "beanie" screens are rough, either replace them (recommended) or go ahead and pull them. You CAN run without, but they are the last line of defense against a hunk of crud getting lodged in the float valve seat.

    Low float levels can cause all sorts of wackiness. Float level tolerances are only a millimeter or two each way, the more accurately you wet-set them, the easier the rest of the process will be.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 22, 2012
    #26
  7. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Adrian, I've already fitted an in line filter.

    Fitz, I guess I'll pull the carbs again(I'm getting real good at that) and check the fuel levels. It's the only thing I haven't quadruple checked at this point
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #27
  8. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    bigfitz52, Jul 22, 2012
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  9. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Thanks. That's the way I did it last time. I may have measured wrong though.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #29
  10. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Time to ride, I just tried the compression test again, this time with the throttle open, and battery boosted. No change. My hose is about 3 feet long. I'll try to track down another gauge maybe?

    The plugs are looking a little better though.

    [​IMG]
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #30
  11. KrS14

    KrS14 Active Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Is it just me or do those plugs look... off..

    No carbon at all around the base of the threads and a shiny brownish black insulator? What do ya think guys?
     
    KrS14, Jul 22, 2012
    #31
  12. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Frightening.

    Those plugs tell us there is something seriously wrong.

    NO carbon on the flame ring, and NO carbon on the ground strap?

    Something is really not right.

    Maybe we need to revisit the valve clearances, and figure out the compression thing.
     
    bigfitz52, Jul 22, 2012
    #32
  13. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    They are also brand new plugs as of yesterday. This was after running with oil and seafoam in the bores.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #33
  14. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    So, just got home and double checked the valve clearances

    Exhaust has: .007(kinda loose) .008 .007 .007
    Intake has: .005 .006 .006 .005

    About to pull off the carbs to check the floats.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #34
  15. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Aaaaannnnddd........


    Fuel levels are drastically low
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #35
  16. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Ok, so got the floats set. Put the carbs back on, and it's running. Seems to be holding an idle. At first it was pretty touchy on the throttle. I had to give it a few quick blips before I could rev it. Now it seems to be revving ok. It hovers around 2k on the way back down for a sec.

    The plugs are a lot darker. Not really sure how to read em. Here's plug number 1

    [​IMG]
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #36
  17. kardoktor

    kardoktor New Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Making progress! Hooyah! After its warmed up, how does it run? If you enrichen it slightly with a small amount of choke how does it respond at idle? Good persistence!!
     
    kardoktor, Jul 22, 2012
    #37
  18. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    Didn't run it too long tonight. It was about dark, and I have some serious holes in my collector box, so I didn't want to piss of the neighbors. But, when it warmed up it got a lot more responsive. Cold, it is still weird. It will rev and then drop down a lot like its trying to catch up. Im gonna try a running sync soon if it will hold an idle.


    In other news, setting float levels sucks. I feel high as sh*t from all that gas.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #38
  19. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    If you have "Serious holes" in the Collector, ... THAT presents a detrimental effect on BACK PRESSURE.

    The lack of BACK PRESSURE will affect your Tuning.

    Patch-up the Collector.
    You can over-lay sections of Sheet Metal and Braze the Patches n too stop the leaks.

    A talented Welder using a Low-Heat M-I-G Welder should be able to save the Collection Box.

    Otherwise, ... the lack of Back Pressure will change the Tuning to be Lean.
     
    RickCoMatic, Jul 22, 2012
    #39
  20. aaron_acrusto

    aaron_acrusto Member

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    Re: At a loss...

    yeah, its on the list. ive got a buddy who is a pro welder. I plan on bringing it up to him after i get this wonkiness sorted out and get my front end back together.
     
    aaron_acrusto, Jul 22, 2012
    #40
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