Help Diagnose my No-Start

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Help Diagnose my No-Start

24 Feb 2016 17:58
#712379
Hey guys, I have a 1976 Kawasaki KZ750 twin that won't start. It has a good strong blue spark. Just rebuilt the carbs with a K&L kit (except for one pilot jet that was stripped and wouldn't come out). Now the bike won't fire up. THoughts?

If I spray a little starting spray into the carbs, the bike will roar to life for half a second.

Thanks

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  • Patton
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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

24 Feb 2016 18:33
#712384
Possible fuel starvation.

Has the clear tube test been performed to assure fuel is getting into the float bowls and remaining at the correct level inside the float bowls?

Is the fuel fresh and clean (no water, etc.)?

Is an aftermarket fuel filter installed in the fuel hose?

Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 05:08
#712418
Patton wrote: Possible fuel starvation.

Has the clear tube test been performed to assure fuel is getting into the float bowls and remaining at the correct level inside the float bowls?

Is the fuel fresh and clean (no water, etc.)?

Is an aftermarket fuel filter installed in the fuel hose?

Good Fortune! :)

Fuel is clean, new fuel filter is on the bike between petcock and carbs.

What is the clear tube test and how do i perform it?

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 06:39
#712431
The factory service manual :cheer: is available via the following links.

kz750twins.com/?p=15

biquetoast.com/cgi-bin/750ManualList.cgi

Good Fortune! :)
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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  • Nessism
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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 07:04
#712435
How did you verify that the stripped pilot jet is clear?

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 07:45
#712438
Patton wrote: The factory service manual :cheer: is available via the following links.

kz750twins.com/?p=15

biquetoast.com/cgi-bin/750ManualList.cgi

Good Fortune! :)

Cool, ill check that out tonight, thanks!

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 07:47
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Nessism wrote: How did you verify that the stripped pilot jet is clear?

I didn't, and i plan to drill it out. But i assumed the bike would still start since AT LEAST one of the carbs has a good pilot. Or at least cough and sputter and try to start haha, but it doesn't.

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  • SWest
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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 08:10
#712441
Did you try to push a guitar string through it or strand from a wire brush? Carb and choke spray with the tube should squirt through it if it's clear.
Steve

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 09:19 - 25 Feb 2016 09:21
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Modrummer wrote:
Nessism wrote: How did you verify that the stripped pilot jet is clear?

I didn't, and i plan to drill it out. But i assumed the bike would still start since AT LEAST one of the carbs has a good pilot. Or at least cough and sputter and try to start haha, but it doesn't.

No disrespect intended, but a better approach would be to fix the carbs properly before putting them back on the bike and expecting the bike to run.

Another thing that's critical is verifying the choke passages are clear and open. Shoot carb spray through the pick up tube and make sure it reaches the choke plungers.
Last edit: 25 Feb 2016 09:21 by Nessism.

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 10:02
#712464
swest wrote: Did you try to push a guitar string through it or strand from a wire brush? Carb and choke spray with the tube should squirt through it if it's clear.
Steve

Ill give this a shot as well, thanks.

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 10:06
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Nessism wrote:
Modrummer wrote:
Nessism wrote: How did you verify that the stripped pilot jet is clear?

I didn't, and i plan to drill it out. But i assumed the bike would still start since AT LEAST one of the carbs has a good pilot. Or at least cough and sputter and try to start haha, but it doesn't.

No disrespect intended, but a better approach would be to fix the carbs properly before putting them back on the bike and expecting the bike to run.

Another thing that's critical is verifying the choke passages are clear and open. Shoot carb spray through the pick up tube and make sure it reaches the choke plungers.

None taken! The bike hasn't run in almost 20 years so i was hoping to verify that the engine would start and run. When i couldnt get the pilot screw out, i just said screw it (pun intended ) and put the carbs on the bike because i figured it should still start.

Thanks for the suggestion, ill try it!

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Re: Help Diagnose my No-Start

25 Feb 2016 10:39
#712472
If it fires right off with the spray then its a no brainier that the carbs are not working.
sound to me that no fuel at all is getting into the carbs or they are completely stopped up .can you see fuel in the filter?
Blairsville Ga.

1980 KZ1000 Shaft (sold and missed already)
2003 ZRX 1200R (sold)
2003 Concours ZG1000 (just purchased)

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