Torn Carb diaphragms prevent bike from starting?

Can torn carb diaphragms or old diaphragms prevent the bike from starting? i got a 1981 kz440 that wont start without ether, and i dont believe gas is getting to the engine because it just turns and turns without a hint of it catching. I also have pod filters on, can it be that?

From my information you will get a very lean mixture Yoa can repair these diaphrams using Liquid RUBBER sorry thats not the commercial name comes in a glass bottle you build up small layers at a time very good for all exposed electrical connections Magic !

It is a bad idea to use pod filters on vacuum slide carbs.

The torn diaphragm may or may not keep it from starting but it will definitely keep it from running properly. Gonna need to get some new ones. Have never been able to repair them and last for any length of time.

try this place
jbmindustries.com/index.html

No, torn diaphrams will not prevent the engine from starting. In fact you can remove the diaphram and it will start and idle. It will not allow the engine to run past idle though.

Do you have spark? are the carb boots ok? If so. I bet its the jetting.

Pods wont make a difference either way.

Pods off; Do this, take a spray bottle, fill it with a bit of gas, shoot it in the carbs when trying to start it, you might have to turn the throttle a tad. If it starts or stumbles starts you are lean yo! Or clogged carbs/jets.

P.S. be careful with doing this. Also make the the garage door is open and don't face the exhaust or the carbs in case of a back fire.

i have spark, and the boots arent cracked or anything, and i have installed a new float needle and gaskets for the carbs. i got it running once off of ether but it was really loud at 5000 rpms idle :pinch: any clue what it could be?

Is this loud expensive mechanical engine noise or from the mufflers ? Have you put decent new oil in the engine ? Keith

donthaveakawman wrote: It is a bad idea to use pod filters on vacuum slide carbs.

Not a bad idea just requires more tuning. If the bike sat for an extended period of time with old gas in the carbs then they will be clogged. If the bike starts on ether then you know the ignition system is at least firing. Did this just come on or was the bike stored? If stored then take the carbs apart and thourghly clean them paying attention to the idle circuit and all it's small passageways.

baldy110 wrote: No, torn diaphrams will not prevent the engine from starting. In fact you can remove the diaphram and it will start and idle. It will not allow the engine to run past idle though.

+1 The slide sits all the way down at idle anyway so the diaphragm is doing nothing there.

I patches slits in my diaphragms with urethane (gorilla) glue but that's not why yours won't start.

crabman02 wrote: i have spark, and the boots arent cracked or anything, and i have installed a new float needle and gaskets for the carbs. i got it running once off of ether but it was really loud at 5000 rpms idle :pinch: any clue what it could be?

VACUUM LEAK.

I would clean the fuel system top down (tank, petcock, carbs) then install inline filters. Check/adjust fuel levels in bowls using a clear tube.

If you can get it running, check for vacuum leaks.