- Posts: 8
- Thank you received: 0
KZ won't idle and surges on throttle
- FootDragger
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
1984 KZ700a1. This thing road pretty good when I last rode six-years ago. Started up easy and had power. I haven't messed with anything between then and now.
So, since it sat, I cleaned the carbs. Gave them a long bath and blew 120psi through every last opening. I can blow freely through each with my own breath and I know where the channels lead so I can tell there is a strong stream coming out the other end. And if it's not strong, they're at least even between each carb.
I've done this six-times now and I still have this problem!
When I try to start it, it won't start with the pilot screws any less than 4 whole turns out! If I turn them in any degree, I need the choke to start, but once it does start it surges to 7,000rpm and will not come down! Half choke, full choke and everything in-between, it either dies or surges.
When I can get it to sit around 1,000rpm by finessing the idle adjust and mixtures, I hear a very distinct knock in one or two cylinders. Hard knocks that shake the concrete beneath me.
I'm using all stock parts.
The diaphragms have NO microscopic holes and they're seated correctly in the grooves.
The slides move up and snap back down freely, no resistance.
I've sprayed all of the boots on both sides of each carb with a heaping dose of WD40 to find a vacuum leak, nope!
The ports on the top are plugged or going to the recirculator regulator thing.
Needles are set to second from top groove.
The floats are all equal and are not over-filling. I set them according to the KZ manual. About 3-4mm below top of bowl.
Cam chain tension was set.
Valve clearance was checked cold.
Cam timing is spot on.
Please save this thing from the heap. Either I'll fall in love with it if it works out, or I'll have zero hard feelings watching it flip over in a ditch.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15344
- Thank you received: 2829
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- FootDragger
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8
- Thank you received: 0
I'm getting a pop from the carbs now and then too. When I pull them off, the boots going into the engine are soaked with fuel!
I'm using the stock setup with a newly purchased air-filter, since my last one disintegrated when I removed it. All boots are snug and again I checked for vacuum leaks.
Thanks.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- baldy110
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 2272
- Thank you received: 512
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- FootDragger
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8
- Thank you received: 0
What could it be that's causing such an issue?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
Would also assure that the timing advancer is properly functioning, and not sticking or hanging due to rust or corrosion.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
www.kzrider.com/filebase/doc_download/50...retorrebuildtutorial
www.kzrider.com/filebase/doc_download/45...an-a-repair-tutorial
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- FootDragger
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8
- Thank you received: 0
Where is the advance on this thing? It's an 83 and uses a CDI. I don't see anything around the spark unit that seems to be like an advance...
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
FootDragger wrote: ...1984 KZ700a1....
FootDragger wrote: ...It's an 83 and uses a CDI. I don't see anything around the spark unit that seems to be like an advance...
At some point in the various model lines, Kawasaki replaced the manual timing advancer with an electronic timing advancer.
I don't know which advancer is fitted to the bike at hand. One way to tell would be to remove the point cover and look through the timing window to see whether or not there's a manual timing advancer.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
Easy enough to rule out such possible issue -- cap/plug the vac nipple at the carb that usually supplies vacuum to the petcock. Then test run with the petcock in Prime position.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- FootDragger
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 8
- Thank you received: 0
It seems there is no advancer here at all! I was really hoping that that was the issue, now I'm boned.
Check valve clearances and cam timing as well. Crap. Looks like it's off to a dishonorable grave, ole bird.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- kzgeoff
- Offline
- User
Loudhvx Fast-idle modification
When I read the first sentence on his write-up, it sounded like the same problem that you described.
Hope that helps...
1982 KZ550 A3
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.