Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

  • vandenbusschebr
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Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

01 May 2015 12:28
#670306
Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)
77 kz750 twin.
pods, open pipes, rat smoker

2012 fz8

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  • KZQ
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Re: Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

01 May 2015 12:37 - 01 May 2015 12:39
#670307
vandenbusschebr wrote: Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)

I'm assuming that the bike has never started easily when cold or at least not since you've owned it. I'm also assuming that since you've rejetted it, it's not running too rich or too lean.
I'd look first to the compression then, if it's low or uneven, the valve adjustment. After the valve adjustment go back and recheck the compression.
Go easy on the starter fluid. It's really hard on the cylinder lubrication.

Please post your results in this thread.

Bill
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Last edit: 01 May 2015 12:39 by KZQ.

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

01 May 2015 13:13 - 01 May 2015 13:14
#670312
vandenbusschebr wrote: Hey Guys, So as I keep making progress on my bike, i keep coming back. So thanks for all the advice already.

Here's the deal - bike runs great once it's up and going. But, when the engine is cold it won't start unless i give it a little shot of starter fluid. And it only has to be the smallest little 1/10th of a second shot into each pod filter. Once the bike is warm, it kicks over and starts right away. this is just on cold starts.

So my guestion: in what order should i start to diagnose this problem?


77 kz750 twin
pod filters
custom exhaust
re-jetted
12v 5Ah battery (kick start only)
The BS-38 carbs have a "choke" which is actually a big jet that dumps gas in to help start cold. Sounds like that is not working.

The pods probably mean it's running lean which makes things worse.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
Last edit: 01 May 2015 13:14 by bountyhunter.

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Re: Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

01 May 2015 16:00
#670333
Thanks guys,

I know the choke works because i still use the choke when starting cold and slowly disengage it as the engine warms.

valves were in spec last fall, but an easy check so i'll look there.

I'll also check compression. was in spec 3 years ago, but that was 3 years ago...
77 kz750 twin.
pods, open pipes, rat smoker

2012 fz8

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  • SWest
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Re: Needs a small squirt of starter fluid when cold

01 May 2015 17:02
#670338
Clogged pilot jets/choke jets.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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