1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

  • Wagner
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1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 10:24
#865165
First start of the season, went for a small ride, and then decided to do a carburetor sync. Carburetor 1,2,3, were all pulling vacuum and were easily adjusted.  Carburetor 4 was pulling almost no vacuum and no adjustment would change that. With the bike running I sprayed starter fluid around the intake and exhaust boots. RPM'S didn't change. So I don't think those were leaking by. Next I checked compression. Cylinder 3 and 4 were 150psi and 1 and 2 were about 145psi. Checked for spark. Had spark on all plugs. Swapped wires. No change. Swapped coils. No change. Swapped plugs. No change. No matter what I do the problem seems to stay with Cylinder 4. I'm not sure what to try next. Any suggestions would be great. 

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  • Nessism
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 10:29
#865166
Sounds like a plugged gauge.  If the compression is good the cylinder will pull vacuum even if the cylinder isn't firing, which you haven't mentioned.

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  • hugo
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 11:15
#865168
So KZ550 cylinder 4 problem, should not be the tittle.     Vacuum Gauge #4 problem......... should be it.

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  • F64
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 12:47
#865174
Is the vaccum port on number 4 carburetor plugged?
Is the exhaust pipe on number 4 the same temp as the others?
81-KZ440-D2.
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  • Wagner
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 14:56
#865176
I forgot to mention, I did swap the vacuum gauges. And the problem stayed with Cylinder 4. Hardly any vacuum on the #4 exhaust pipe and that cylinder is considerably cooler than cylinder 1,2,3 exhaust pipes. I guess I'll run through everything I did today again tomorrow. 

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  • Wagner
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 14:58
#865177
I should have said I swapped vacuum gauges. The problem stays with # 4 cylinder. 

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  • Wagner
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 18:37
#865195
I also should have said, changes on cylinder 4 sync screw made no change on the idol speed.

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  • azman857
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

09 Apr 2022 22:34
#865198
#4 cooler than the others? I'd check the idle circuit on that carb for plugged jets.
I don't have a plan and I'm sticken' to it! '77 KZ 650 / 750 GPz custom project in progress
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  • linuxrob
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

10 Apr 2022 11:34
#865210
Vaccum for the petrol tap comes from no 4
1980 Z500 B2 owned from new 78260 miles
1980 Z500 B2 in bits since 1982 23000 miles
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  • Wagner
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Re: 1980 Kz550 LTD cylinder 4 problem

11 Apr 2022 09:54
#865230
Thanks Linuxrob. The vacuum for the petcock was the problem. This was my first time synchronizing  the carburetors and I didn't even think of that. I plugged the vacuum line for the petcock and was able to synchronize the carburetors with no problems. Cylinder 4 also now seems to be burning as hot as the others. Thanks again.

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