hard starting and FULL choke doesn't increase idle speed

[charlieho]

'89 FJ, 30xxx miles, 1314 wiseco big bore kit, re-jetted, K&N pods, KERKER 4 inot1 header, aftermarket can.

recently cleaned/lubed/cleaned some more/restored bike from 9 year storage.  runs fine when warmed up but VERRRY hard to start when cold.

It will eventually start on FULL choke after 2-3 tries but will only idle at 1100rpm, idle speed WILL NOT increase on full choke,  after a few minutes it will run fine w/choke off.

I checked the carb boots which all look fine and clamps were tight, replaced the 3 hard and cracked vacuum port plugs that are used to sync the carbs, just sync'd the carbs which were WAAAY off, and going to check the idle mixture screws after I get off the computer, choke control rod moves freely.  Is there something else that needs to be checked?

Thank you in advance, Charlie

[Arnie]

You might want to check that the choke control and cable is correctly adjusted.  You may only be getting partial choke.  You only need a minimal amount of free play in the cable where it clamps to the carb.

Cheers,
Arnie

[SlowOldGuy]

If the choke cable adjustment and operation are fine, then I'd suspect that the tiny orifices in the float bowls where the choke circuit draws fuel from are clogged.

If these are obstructed then the choke is essentially just letting more air into the intake and making cold starting even more difficult.

DavidR.

[charlieho]

did check that, i'm getting about 5/8" total movement on the choke control rod and it will bottom out on the stop.  it DOES run when it finally does start, and the idle "quality" is better with the choke on, but the rpm's never get above idle speed with the choke on...weird?

[charlieho]

If the choke cable adjustment and operation are fine, then I'd suspect that the tiny orifices in the float bowls where the choke circuit draws fuel from are clogged.

If these are obstructed then the choke is essentially just letting more air into the intake and making cold starting even more difficult.

DavidR.

that would make sense, thanks.  i was told by the previous owner that he had "JUST CLEANED" the carbs before i bought the bike.  i never doubted him because he is a friend of a friend and a mechanic but i gues when you ass-u-me.... thanks again!

[SlowOldGuy]

It's very easy to overlook the choke orifices, and very hard to tell that they are not obstructed.  If gas ever dried up in the float bowls, chances are one of more of them are clogged.

It's the first thing I would check if I had a non-operating choke.

If you wind up pulling the carbs again, give me a yell.  I'm not that far away and I've had a little experience in this area.

DavidR.

[Dan Filetti]

[carb speak]  I'm not that far away and I've had a little experience in this area.

DavidR.

HA!  You've forgotten more about carbs then most have, or will ever know...

a 'little' indeed...

Dan

[Yamifj1200]

It's very easy to overlook the choke orifices, and very hard to tell that they are not obstructed.  If gas ever dried up in the float bowls, chances are one of more of them are clogged.

It's the first thing I would check if I had a non-operating choke.

If you wind up pulling the carbs again, give me a yell.  I'm not that far away and I've had a little experience in this area.

DavidR.

Our guru is a modest fellow... He is the best one here for any carb problems you may find....  I am sure he can get you going again quickly...


Eric M

[rlucas]

Seconded. Dr. Raforth knows more about FJ carbs than the rest of us have cumulatively forgotten. Listen and learn.

Rossi

[rktmanfj]

Dr. Raforth at work on a rainy night in Boone, as tRoy looks on:



Note the fancy checkered workbench...     


Randy T
Indy

[rlucas]

Wasn't that just before Lee C. soldered those damned Dial-A-Jets closed? In the rain, by Coleman lantern light? tRoy's first Rally, IIRC...

Rossi

[rktmanfj]

Wasn't that just before Lee C. soldered those damned Dial-A-Jets closed? In the rain, by Coleman lantern light? tRoy's first Rally, IIRC...

Rossi

Why, yes it was... he's a gov'mint trained solderer, don'cha know?



Randy T
Indy

[Harvy]

Lee and David not only used the same checker-board workbench, they even shared the same sheet of newspaper.

Harvy

[racerman_27410]

 

ahhhhhhh good times in the rain working on FJ carbs!

David and Lee made chicken salad from that dial a jet mess.... least salad good enough to get T Roy home.

Kookaloo!

Frank

[SlowOldGuy]

I just want to konw where the heck did that Cola on the table come from???!!! 
No one brings Cola to a rally.  Must have been a disguise wrapper for a BEER can.

I remember finishing the carbs, getting them installed in a strangler rain storm, firing it up and it running like TOTAL CRAP.  More than slightly embarassed at this unexpected turn of events, I reached around and plugged the air pilot jets with my fingers and it appeared to clear up.  I remember thinking: "Why it is running so lean?"

Then I looked over and spotted the sync vacuum caps that were still sitting on the table.  DOH!

Good times indeed!

DavidR