idle / idling down issue

[Toy4Bob]

Just got an 89 FJ1200.  Riding it home I felt that it was very slow to idle down, both when downshifting or just engaging the clutch.  Downshifting at lower RPM engage clutch and it wouldn't drop below 3k, and when came to stop it would take a few seconds to drop from 2500-3000 to 1000, and a couple times I had to blip the throttle, or actually release the clutch while holding brake to get it to drop.  Then other times it would idle down quickly or what I would consider normal.  When I got home I could not get it to drop below 2500 RPM before shutting it down.

Then about 10 minutes later I thought I heard an electrical whine, but realized it was the gas tank slowly releasing pressure... is this normal, or could there be a vent plugged?  I kinda wondered if that was the case, could it be causing the uneven erratic idle?  BTW, the tank was only about 1/2 full.

[Pat Conlon]

Back your idle jets out 1/2 turn and see if that helps.
Don't worry about your tank, that's just the way your FJ sings to you....she's happy.
You could do the tank flapperectony. See the info. in the Files section.
If you take you gas cap apart, beware there's a little spring and ball which flies away...always happens.

So take your gas cap apart in a empty 5 gallon bucket. Trust me.  

[SlowOldGuy]

I bet I've seen this identical post 30 times over the last few years.

I don't recall a SINGLE one that EVER reported a fix for the problem.  We offered a multitude of checks and fixes, but I can't point to a single post where anyone came back with any success. 

That's not to say it can't be fixed, (air leak, sticking throttle cable, etc, etc.).  Appears that the recepients either never get it solved and go away, or are just too lazy to help anyone else out and report back.

DavidR.

[Pat Conlon]

Yep....Lately it does seem that way David.

People dump their shit which illicits a half dozen or more suggestions from knowledgeable forum members, only to not even take the time to say thank you, let alone report back on what the final solution was.....

I give them one bit at the apple, after that, fockem.

Another thing that bugs me, is all the time and effort we spent building the Files sections, which if viewed, would answer their questions....
But noooo, that would take them too much time...... so fockem.

I'm gettin cranky.... I need a nap.

[Steve_in_Florida]

...not even take the time to say thank you...

Well, I'd like to take the time to say "Thank You".

     Thank you.

Seriously, _THANK YOU_, everyone, who has taken the time to help me and others on here, both directly and indirectly. This forum is **GREAT** and the members are very patient.

Every now and again my 1992 ABS model has this high idle issue. It just started recently, so I'll be watching this thread. (and using the SEARCH function, of course!)

Steve

[WhiteBeard]

Yes, thanks a bunch to all you guys.
What would one do without you?

I visit this site every day, it is my main occupation to read the posts here every time I visit the web.

Kudos to the people that maintain this site and help to make it such a unique place of helping people out, sharing ideas and knowledge.

The FILES section is a GREAT PLACE to hang out! And image the time it took to COMPILE it!

Cheers to you guys!

[Toy4Bob]

well, I tried setting the idle lower and cant find happy medium.  With it set low to the point of dying, at times it still idles at 2500.

[Toy4Bob]

As far as followup responses, I am having a hard time navigating this forum compared to other sites I frequent.  I had to look at my profile to track down easier to see if any replies were left for my post...can't seem to get setup correctly for email notifications.

And is there no "new" since last visited, or todays post by topic?  I am probably just missing something but the format just seems more difficult to me.  Please no one take offense, not my intent, but do let me know how you tend to navigate the site. 

[Dan Filetti]

well, I tried setting the idle lower and cant find happy medium.  With it set low to the point of dying, at times it still idles at 2500.

Sure sounds like an intake air leak to me.  Spray the intake boot area judiciously with starter fluid with the bike running.  If the engine revs up, you have an intake leak.

Had the same problem on a different bike.  Read all about it here:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4631.msg40948#msg40948

Dan

[Arnie]

This site is actually much easier to navigate, in my opinion, than most others.
Once you sign in, each main topic that has new posts will be highlighted.  When you then click on a specific thread, it will open and then if you wait a second or two take you to the last message YOU have previously read.  Try it , it works great.

Arnie

As far as followup responses, I am having a hard time navigating this forum compared to other sites I frequent.  I had to look at my profile to track down easier to see if any replies were left for my post...can't seem to get setup correctly for email notifications.

And is there no "new" since last visited, or todays post by topic?  I am probably just missing something but the format just seems more difficult to me.  Please no one take offense, not my intent, but do let me know how you tend to navigate the site.  

[racerrad8]

As far as followup responses, I am having a hard time navigating this forum compared to other sites I frequent.  I had to look at my profile to track down easier to see if any replies were left for my post...can't seem to get setup correctly for email notifications.

And is there no "new" since last visited, or todays post by topic?  I am probably just missing something but the format just seems more difficult to me.  Please no one take offense, not my intent, but do let me know how you tend to navigate the site. 

At the upper header there is a "Most Recent Posts" button. That reveals the last 100 posts and the one I use exclusively.

...It is next to the "Unread" & "Replies" buttons.

Randy - RPM

[Dan Filetti]

At the upper header there is a "Most Recent Posts" button. That reveals the last 100 posts and the one I use exclusively.

Yup.  Me too.

[coreyoreo]

well, I tried setting the idle lower and cant find happy medium.  With it set low to the point of dying, at times it still idles at 2500.

Sure sounds like an intake air leak to me.  Spray the intake boot area judiciously with starter fluid with the bike running.  If the engine revs up, you have an intake leak.

Had the same problem on a different bike.  Read all about it here:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4631.msg40948#msg40948

Dan

Had the exact same issue w/ my '89 right after I bought it & performed the starter fluid trick, to no avail. (but it will tell you if there's an air intake leak, so don't rule it out).

    The problem turned out to be the carbs just needing to be synced. Now she purrs like a kitten @ 1000 to 1100RPM's & I couldn't have done it without the help of the fine Fj'ers on here!!! Thanks everyone!!

Hope that helps.
Corey

[Pat Conlon]

Back your idle jets out 1/2 turn and see if that helps.

well, I tried setting the idle lower and cant find happy medium.  With it set low to the point of dying, at times it still idles at 2500.

Hey Bob, please don't think my rant was directed at you, it was not.

In reading your description of the problem, I assumed a couple of things:
1) I assumed that your bike returned to idle just fine when the bike was first started and early in the ride. True?
Only later in the ride when the engine was heat soaked did the high idle problem occur. True?
If so...That is the classic rich setting on the idle jets. It does not manifest itself until the bike is thoroughly warm and results in a hanging high idle.  I suggested leaning out your idle jets and *not adjusting your idle speed*.
Messing with your idle speed will not do anything for your problem, as you found out.
2) I assumed the carbs were properly sync'ed.
3) I assumed that your throttle cables and choke cable were working correctly and your carb linkage was properly closing the throttle plates and fully opening the choke.
4) I assumed that you had no vacuum air leaks.

Let us know what you find. Cheers!

[andyb]

Wait a second... lean pilots should be worse with a cold motor and should improve as the motor heats up.  Or you're saying that the idle is set crazy high, and they're just starting to properly work once it's heatsoaked?

If the bike sat for more than a week or two, I'd wonder if they didn't get slightly plugged with varnish, myself.  Wouldn't be a big shocker if it was sitting for sale for awhile.

If everything's clean and adjusted as far as that goes, synch can occasionally cause the same sort of idle strangeness.


But honestly, if it's a new to you machine, you may as well open things up and get an idea of if the last owner(s) was an idiot or not.  Never know what you'll find inside a set of carbs..