Wilsons Sandbox

My XT 225 has has some trouble starting. It is only when it has been setting awhile. After it is started it will start instantly later in the same day. It had been setting for weeks when I tried to start it yesterday and it simply would not hit a lick. Good spark to the plug, so it is evidently the choke that is not work. It works enough to make it run fast when it does run, but perhaps it just isn't closing enough to make it start when it cold and had not been run for awhile. Yesterday, I did manage to get it started. I could not find starting fluid so, for the first time, and I never heard of anyone using it, I tried propane. Opened the air box and released a bit as I was cranking it and it kick right off. Wonder of METHANE would do the same if you were out somewhere and had nothing to use as a starter fluid or starter gas. Even then, one might have to be sure to eat some extra beans. Am I own the right track here? Do I just need to adjust the choke, and it is a difficult job? Robert Waters North West Arkansas KLR rider [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The fuel system is probably jaded. Gas and air pockets sitting undisturbed are bad juju...varnish, condensation, rust. If it hasn't sat too long, start by draining the gas tank and carb. Refuel with 2- gals of fresh gas and 2 oz of Seafoam (Walmart/autoparts store). Get it started and let it flush a bit. If this doesn't return things to normal, I'd disassemble the carb and clean it manually. Of course, do a visual inspection to check for critter damage or otherwise the work of a rogue 2-year old completing his apprenticeship on your moto! As for the methane...just make sure the job goes to whoever ate the most burritos and is riding out front. If you're solo, well, just remember this board and the fact it's not going to look good in the papers if you're found inexplicably naked--and very unfortunate victim of flashback.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> > > My XT 225 has has some trouble starting. It is only when it has been setting awhile.

After it is started it will start instantly later in the same day.

> > It had been setting for weeks when I tried to start it yesterday and it simply would not

hit a lick. Good spark to the plug, so it is evidently the choke that is not work. It works enough to make it run fast when it does run, but perhaps it just isn't closing enough to make it start when it cold and had not been run for awhile.

> > Yesterday, I did manage to get it started. I could not find starting fluid so, for the first

time, and I never heard of anyone using it, I tried propane. Opened the air box and released a bit as I was cranking it and it kick right off. Wonder of METHANE would do the same if you were out somewhere and had nothing to use as a starter fluid or starter gas.

> Even then, one might have to be sure to eat some extra beans. > > Am I own the right track here? Do I just need to adjust the choke, and it is a difficult

job?

>

Next time, try draining the float bowl. Condensation is a more likely cause than a maladjusted choke. If the bike runs and idles once started, there is probably not a blocked jet. When were the valves last adjusted?

> Next time, try draining the float bowl. Condensation is a more likely cause than a maladjusted choke. If the bike runs and idles once started, there is probably not a blocked jet. When were the valves last adjusted? >

The XT 225 is a 2004 but only has 600 miles on it. Once it is started it starts instantly and runs perfectly. Is it actually possible that the valves need adjusting at this point? Robert [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That sounds a lot like the Super Sherpa, which I have. Let it sit for a while (days to weeks), and it can be hard to start, yet it will start right up if it has run at any point during the previous 24 hours. Does the XT have a vacuum operated fuel petcock? If so, does it have a "Prime" position? To easily start the Sherpa, you put the fuel tap on Prime for 10 seconds, and it will start quickly. Apparently, the bike is very sensitive to fuel level. Maybe the XT is similar. Mike

----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Waters To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 3:00 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR - Tech help - not starting when cold My XT 225 has has some trouble starting. It is only when it has been setting awhile. After it is started it will start instantly later in the same day. It had been setting for weeks when I tried to start it yesterday and it simply would not hit a lick. Good spark to the plug, so it is evidently the choke that is not work. It works enough to make it run fast when it does run, but perhaps it just isn't closing enough to make it start when it cold and had not been run for awhile. Yesterday, I did manage to get it started. I could not find starting fluid so, for the first time, and I never heard of anyone using it, I tried propane. Opened the air box and released a bit as I was cranking it and it kick right off. Wonder of METHANE would do the same if you were out somewhere and had nothing to use as a starter fluid or starter gas. Even then, one might have to be sure to eat some extra beans. Am I own the right track here? Do I just need to adjust the choke, and it is a difficult job? Robert Waters North West Arkansas KLR rider [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> The XT 225 is a 2004 but only has 600 miles on it. Once it is started it starts instantly and

runs perfectly. Is it actually possible that the valves need adjusting at this point?

>

Of course it is. It's not necessarily the problem, but tight valves often contribute to starting and driveability problems. If you have checked them recently, then perhaps you can rule them out; if not, you will want to consider them.

I have a 2007 XT225 also with about 1200 miles on it. These bikes are really picky about cold starting. Heres a couple of things to try: 1.When you are riding home reach down and shut off the petcock and run the gas dry in the float bowl.On mine, thats about 6-8 blocks before I get home.That empties the bowl.Then, when you go to start it up before your next ride, just open the petcock and wait just a bit for the float bowl to fill again. 2.Don't close the choke all the way. When you pull on the choke knob, you can feel "detents" at intervals as you pull it.This is unlike the KLR650, which just has a smooth pull with no detents. I pull on the choke knob like this-pull it all the way out, then push it back in one "detent". Try it there.Thats the position where mine is happiest to start. 3.Remove the little copper cap over the idle air screw. You will have to either drill a little hole in it and then use a slide hammer to get the cap off, or drill the hole, screw in a sheet metal screw and pry the cap off. Then you can adjust the idle air screw.Most run the screw in till it bottoms, and then run it out three turns and try it.I have not done this third step on mine, as my XT is getting fantastic gas mileage, and mine starts pretty well as is. Many of these bikes take forever to warm up and become rideable.Usually this idle air screw adjustment fixes all that and gets the bike starting way better cold. Go to this forum and you'll get lots of info: http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm Jon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]