Author Topic: Cold start problem.  (Read 3345 times)

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Offline Jopiz

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Cold start problem.
« on: December 25, 2008, 07:03:37 AM »
Im having a problem starting my '91 125. I managed to get it running a few days ago when temperature was a little above freezing ( 0?c, 32?F). It ran nice and cleanly. When temperature dropped below freezing, im unable to get it running. Im sure it fires and spark should be ok. Smoke is coming every time i try to kick start. I got it running about 5 seconds but suddenly it just died. Carb is cleaned and no dirt or anything suspicious was found. Is something freezed? I tried to use starter spray but it didnt seem to make a difference. It worked last time. Any help is appreciated.

- Jopiz

Offline Albertan

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2008, 07:22:50 AM »
That's pretty cold; was it starting with or without choke?  I suspect that if it is jetted for normal summer temperatures, it would be pretty lean at 0C.

Offline Friar-Tuck

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2008, 09:51:41 AM »
 Jo,
 I'm wondering if something else is going on here, pull the plug and take a whiff, (I know sounds crazy).  I had the crank seal go south on my CR and it was running great one day next time I tried to start it I fouled a plug and it smelled like gear lube.   The clutch side will suck gear lube from the tranny and exhibit the hard starting and plug foul.  If I remember correctly Cam 22 suggested measuring gear oil at change interval.   A few ml is no big deal, but if your losing more than an Oz. or two you've got a bad crank seal.
  Like Al said thats pretty cold, but starting ether should have gotten her to fire, if when you pull the plug there should be some fuel on it (wet).
   (There will be some more guys posting in the next few days after things settle down after Christmas.  Try not to get discoureaged)
  Tuck\o/   
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Offline Jopiz

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2009, 08:12:11 AM »
Hey!

I pulled the plug and it didnt smell like gear lube. It was fouled and debris was found. I also took my pipe off. There were about a 50ml of unburned fuel and oil inside it. Im going to replace the crank seal anyways. Any suggestions what to try next?

-J
« Last Edit: January 01, 2009, 08:19:26 AM by Jopiz »

Offline Friar-Tuck

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2009, 11:58:35 AM »
 Jo,
  I don't want to lead you down a rabbit trail, but the flooded condition your talking about would point to the carby. The crank seal usually will only draw trans lube while its running.
 50mls is like a Nyquil medicine cup full right?  I think you would be able to tell the difference between premix oil and gear lube with that amount in the cyl.
    If you haven't already taken down the the sidecover and all, snoop around the carb and and maybe the reed's. 
  You said earlier the carb was clean, is it possible the main or pilot worked itself loose?   
   Do you have enough room to loosen the carb and remove the bowl?  Even if you had to  pull the cap and slide, rotate the carb and remove the bowl it's alot less work than the crank seal.
 The only other thing that comes to mind is with the temp's as low as you're talking about would it be possible your premix is separating?   I recall certain oils have recommended temps on the bottle and some specific for cold weather.
  Is your bike/fuel stored in unheated shed/garage?
   If nothing else changed from the time you got her to run a few weeks ago and now is the weather....Hmmm...
I guess other than that start with the basics and hang in there.  Clean filter, fresh fuel, plug, Gap, connections, kill switch, plug wire, coil, flywheel key, cd box,.
    If you make any changes (carb Jetting) keep a notebook on what all you've done.
   After a few frustrating days I would forget what all I did and then didn't have baseline as to where I started and what finally "Got it Running".
  You may be able to find a used service manual (or new if you have the $'s) at Amazon or ebay etc.   Most guys have a Clymer as the are about half of the OEM service Manual.
 Wish I could be more help,
 Tuck \o/
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Offline Hillclimb#42

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2009, 12:30:39 AM »
 Sometimes, I think the fuel in the bowl really loads up the cylinder. Push it around, load it, unload it, wash it, it all makes the floats bob around then releases fuel in the cylinder don't it? I think thats kinda helpful, most of the time, because the first second or two of running you have some extra lube for the cylinder, due to the evaporated fuel. Being super cold, its not surprising to have some trouble. Anywhere to work on it after warming it up? I would say, leave the starter fluid alone. Fouled plug, and maybe fuel getting there issue. Lean it over, before trying to start. You should see gas pour out of the vent. Don't need to kick until worn-out. If it doesn't start in its normal time, turn off the choke. If that doesn't work ,wfo. It'll start probably, but you are gonna be lean, guaranteed. At least fatten up the mixture screw, and listen for lean-out.

Offline Uzi9mm

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2009, 04:01:29 AM »
Jo, what is your start procedure?  Choke?  Priming kicks etc...  For my 500, I turn on the gas, choke it, and kick.  Usually starts 1st or 2nd kick cold. 
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Offline Jopiz

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Re: Cold start problem.
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2009, 05:59:55 AM »
Hey!

I took the carb off and jets were firmly in place. Float was ok and the carb should be OK! I checked float height and it seemed to be right. The oil im using should work in these temperatures fine. Im using good quality castrol oils. Im going to check reeds.

My start procedure usually is: Choke on, about 1/2 gas, kick, choke off, and another kick. It normally starts 1st or 2nd kick.
I moved my bike to a warm carage. I disassembled the whole bike and noticed something strange in the spark plug cap. It was loose and it could have caused the problem. Lets see does it run when i assembly my bike!  :mrgreen:

Thanks for your help!

-J