Motorbike not starting, advice greatly needed.
Discussion
Hi all,
I have a Yamaha WR400F that had a full engine rebuild, but has been stood for about a year. (off the ground on a stand). When I first started it, it fired after the first 3 kicks and idled nicely until I turned it off. A few weeks later I did the same and it was a bit harder to start this time, but it eventually ran and warmed up.
I tried starting it the other day, but it wouldn't go. Despite not using any throttle when kicking it, and having fuel & choke turned on, it was dripping fuel at the bottom through the tube as if it was being flooded.
I then tried bumping it in second and third but still nothing, there was compression and we even got a few backfires but it wouldn't run.
The fuel isn't old or contaminated so I wasn't worried about the carb having jelly in it, and I even took it down to my local Yamaha garage and asked them to change the spark plug (I don't have the special tool needed to get in there myself!).
After changing it, I was told they could get the occasional spark upon kicking it, but nothing consistent. They gave me back the bike and this is where I am now.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas as to what it could be or what I can do to get it going?
I'll do my best to answer questions you might have,
Cheers,
Alex
I have a Yamaha WR400F that had a full engine rebuild, but has been stood for about a year. (off the ground on a stand). When I first started it, it fired after the first 3 kicks and idled nicely until I turned it off. A few weeks later I did the same and it was a bit harder to start this time, but it eventually ran and warmed up.
I tried starting it the other day, but it wouldn't go. Despite not using any throttle when kicking it, and having fuel & choke turned on, it was dripping fuel at the bottom through the tube as if it was being flooded.
I then tried bumping it in second and third but still nothing, there was compression and we even got a few backfires but it wouldn't run.
The fuel isn't old or contaminated so I wasn't worried about the carb having jelly in it, and I even took it down to my local Yamaha garage and asked them to change the spark plug (I don't have the special tool needed to get in there myself!).
After changing it, I was told they could get the occasional spark upon kicking it, but nothing consistent. They gave me back the bike and this is where I am now.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any ideas as to what it could be or what I can do to get it going?
I'll do my best to answer questions you might have,
Cheers,
Alex
ktm301p said:
...I was told they could get the occasional spark upon kicking it, but nothing consistent..
There's your starter for ten. Poor/intermittent spark = engine no go.You need to trace which bit of the ignition is giving trouble. Plug cap - lead - coil - wiring - pickup - CDi box (or whatever else controls it.)
Remember that engines need three things to work; Fuel/air mix of the correct type; Compression in the cylinder; A spark at approximately the right time. Find which one of these is lacking and your on the way to fixing it!
littleredrooster said:
There's your starter for ten. Poor/intermittent spark = engine no go.
You need to trace which bit of the ignition is giving trouble. Plug cap - lead - coil - wiring - pickup - CDi box (or whatever else controls it.)
Remember that engines need three things to work; Fuel/air mix of the correct type; Compression in the cylinder; A spark at approximately the right time. Find which one of these is lacking and your on the way to fixing it!
Thanks a bunch, I'll begin the investigation! You need to trace which bit of the ignition is giving trouble. Plug cap - lead - coil - wiring - pickup - CDi box (or whatever else controls it.)
Remember that engines need three things to work; Fuel/air mix of the correct type; Compression in the cylinder; A spark at approximately the right time. Find which one of these is lacking and your on the way to fixing it!
Last time I had this happen (on a two stroke - KDX250) I changed the cap and the lead - just bought a length of plug lead from my local motor factors and it was back to first kick starting as if by magic. On examination of the lead I took off it was clearly that as it was fine with the old cap as well. It's the cheapest place to start too!
How much is this 'special tool'? Less than two or three trips to the dealer? Get one!
How much is this 'special tool'? Less than two or three trips to the dealer? Get one!
Pothole said:
Last time I had this happen (on a two stroke - KDX250) I changed the cap and the lead - just bought a length of plug lead from my local motor factors and it was back to first kick starting as if by magic. On examination of the lead I took off it was clearly that as it was fine with the old cap as well. It's the cheapest place to start too!
How much is this 'special tool'? Less than two or three trips to the dealer? Get one!
Is there any way to test the cap and lead once removing it from the bike and to see whether it needs replacing?How much is this 'special tool'? Less than two or three trips to the dealer? Get one!
And yep, it's definitely worth looking for this special tool, I only took it into the garage because I had an MOT with them that morning anyway and thought they'd have an idea...
Thanks,
Alex
TIGERSIX said:
If you remove the cap and arc it to the frame head and swing over the engine if you get a nice blue spark about 10mm from earth point the lead is fine if its a resistor cap more than likely it will be the prob.If the lead unscrews from the coil just change it for new item also .
Thank you, I will give this a go Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff