Carb starter plunger

Am following the XJ CD for carb cleaning. How important is it to disassemble and clean the starter plunger when rebuilding? My carbs are in pretty good shape, although the bike is hard to start, so I've been taking special care to clean out the enrichment system. Thanks!

 

i found the spring in one rusted to almost nothing

 

It is a relatively simple job to take out the four plungers after withdrawing the shaft. Mine are apart now and whilst the springs are OK, the parts certainly need cleaning up. Worth doing in my opinion.

 

Better to do it now, then after there back on the bke and you have issues.

 

When you "clean" your carbs you should take every part out and inspect them and make sure they are clean. If you don't are you really "cleaning" them? EVERY part is vital to make your bike run as it should. If there is any small debris in your carbs and it breaks free you may have to take them apart and do it all again. Best idea is to do it right the first time.

 

You could not possibly clean the enrichment circuit with out taking the plungers out. You need to blow air and carb cleaner through the passage that goes up to the plunger to make sure its clear.

Its amazing how alot of people will try to avoid cleaning their carbs the right way the first few times on and off the bike. Maybe after several times pulling the carbs you'll get it right.

MN

 

OK, I GET IT. So how is the starter plunger removed?

 

Once you have the shaft withdrawn and the "fingers" off the plungers, use a 12mm socket and unscrew. Use a socket as there is no room to use a spanner. The plunger and spring will come out that easily.

 

OK, Andrew thanks, got them out, all look OK. So, does anyone know where the enrichment tube on the bottom of the carb (engine side, small copper tube that matches up with the bowl) comes out at?

Reason I ask is that it's so small an opening, I can't tell where the air or carb cleaner comes out at to be sure the tube is clear. Same thing with the passage to the right of the tube.

 

jazz

If you look beside the brass tube, the orifice goes down about 1 cm and opens out into the heart of the carb. The brass tube has a very small hole and I can get the metal inside of a bread-tie down about 4cm before it bottoms out. Quite where it opens out I am not sure but perhaps a guru could advise where it "leads to".

I have a BS28 carb in my hand now as they are apart for rebuilding and I am taking time to soak the bodies in carb dip for a few hours before spraying though with carb cleaner and compressed air. Hopefully this will loosen up any bits and pieces that may be lurking where the eye can't see.

Incidentally, I know it has been well documented, polishing the bores makes a big difference - I though my slides were clunking well but after polishing it is much smoother and faster. Obviously worth doing if the carbs are off the bike. 8O

 

jazz

Just saw this post referenced elsewhere and it answers "our" question:

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... rt=15.html

 

I used guitar string to clean out all my ports and orifices. 2nd or 3rd smallest string was the one to use. Attached photo shows shining a flashlight into the hole in the bottom of the bowl and what you need to see down the enrichment well.

 

THAT B-12 DIDNT COME IN A GALLON CAN. ONLY 15 OZ BOTTLE. THE GALLON CAN HAD NO MARKINGS ON IT AS TO THE TYPE,(b-9 OR b-12),SO I GOT 2 CANS O SPRAY B-12,2 CANS POUR B-12 AND THE GALLON OF MYSTERY BERRYMAN CARB DIP. HOPE THIS WORKS !!!! priced that U/S from H/F and its 80 bucks. the soda blast powder in a 50 lb bag is 44 bucks. my brain cells are 100 % fried from the what to do what to do's..... think i should sleep on it.