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stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:53 pm
by bob.miskimen
My son had the KLR out this afternoon (unauthorized) and it stalled on him. I think it just flooded the plug and got overwhelmed. I rescued him as he had the drain line pulled up and said that gas was running out of it. It took a bit of trickery to get it started, but I sputtered home. Nay ideas on carb problems on an 86 California version? What is the first troubleshooting trick? Bobthe Farmer

stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:23 pm
by revmaaatin
--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bob.miskimen" wrote:
> > My son had the KLR out this afternoon (unauthorized) and it stalled on him. I think it just flooded the plug and got overwhelmed. > > I rescued him as he had the drain line pulled up and said that gas was running out of it. It took a bit of trickery to get it started, but I sputtered home. > > Nay ideas on carb problems on an 86 California version? What is the first troubleshooting trick? > > Bobthe Farmer >
Hello Bob- Unauthorized access-- Ah, who will know? and off we go.... The story most of us could tell. If you have fuel running out the overflow, you have a stuck 'open' needle valve in the float. A lite tap on the carb =butt of a large screwdriver where the fuel enters might dislodge the offending float needle. If that does not work, a partial tear down will be required. Remove the choke cable Remove the throttle cable Loosen the pinch-clamps on the carb Rotate the bottom towards the the exhaust pipe. MAKE SURE the screwdriver you choose to loosen the float bowl screws is the proper size--might even trying 'tightening' slightly before trying to loosen the screws. Remove the bowl-- manipulate the float as necessary- check for crud stuck in the needle assembly,etc Try to flow fuel through the assembly--and manually raise the float with a finger to shut off the fuel. If it were working properly before--the float level should still be OK--but if you end up the carb off the bike, be sure to check the float level. Just guessing from here-- Since it is a 86, there is a very good chance you are going to need a new needle and seat assembly. I would also guess that maybe the not-so-experienced 'offender' left the enricher circuit engaged after initial start-up which started this entire process. revmaaatin. who also has been 'unauthorized' but forgiven.

stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:05 am
by k650
Most likely the float needle is not seating. First thing I would try is to drain the float bowl, Give it a few light taps, replace the plug and start the engine so it fills the bowl. Drain it one more time to insure you get the grit out that was holding the needle open. If this does not fix the problem next step would be to try some Seafoam in the tank. Let it fill the bowl and sit overnight. Try the above procedure again. If it still acts up but you are able to ride it run a full tank treated with Seafoam through it. If it is still problematic you will need to disassemble and clean the carb. Walt
----- Original Message ----- From: "bob.miskimen" > My son had the KLR out this afternoon (unauthorized) and it stalled on > him. I think it just flooded the plug and got overwhelmed. > > I rescued him as he had the drain line pulled up and said that gas was > running out of it. It took a bit of trickery to get it started, but I > sputtered home. > > Nay ideas on carb problems on an 86 California version? What is the first > troubleshooting trick? > > Bobthe Farmer >

stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:34 am
by Brent Tegler
RE: Stuck Float Needle I had a real problem with this, and eventually found a piece of plastic/rubber(?) about 2mm (1/8") long above the needle that prevented the float needle from seating properly. So look carefully inside the seat hole to make sure there is nothing trapped in there. Good luck ---------------------------------------------------- Brent Tegler Canada -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of k650 Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 9:04 AM To: bob.miskimen; DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Stuck Float? Gas runs out of drain mast Most likely the float needle is not seating. First thing I would try is to drain the float bowl, Give it a few light taps, replace the plug and start the engine so it fills the bowl. Drain it one more time to insure you get the grit out that was holding the needle open. If this does not fix the problem next step would be to try some Seafoam in the tank. Let it fill the bowl and sit overnight. Try the above procedure again. If it still acts up but you are able to ride it run a full tank treated with Seafoam through it. If it is still problematic you will need to disassemble and clean the carb. Walt
----- Original Message ----- From: "bob.miskimen" > > My son had the KLR out this afternoon (unauthorized) and it stalled on > him. I think it just flooded the plug and got overwhelmed. > > I rescued him as he had the drain line pulled up and said that gas was > running out of it. It took a bit of trickery to get it started, but I > sputtered home. > > Nay ideas on carb problems on an 86 California version? What is the first > troubleshooting trick? > > Bobthe Farmer >

stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:32 pm
by Richard Bassett
This has usually worked for me ...
> A lite tap on the carb =butt of a large screwdriver where the fuel enters might > dislodge the offending float needle.
---------------------------------- *** NEXT, TRY THIS ***. Turn the fuel off at the tap. Drain the float bowl. If the bike can be started, you can just run it until it uses up the fuel in the bowl - no need to even touch it with a spanner or screwdriver if you're out on the road and want to get going again ASAP. Then cross your fingers and turn the fuel back on. This often works because most times like this there's just a bit of junk jammed between the needle & seat holding the valve partly open. If the bowl is full, the float pushes up and the needle holds the junk against the seat. When you drain the bowl, the needle drops and the junk is released. If it's not too big, the junk will be washed through when you turn the fuel back on. Of course you should drain the float bowl afterwards, otherwise the junk could then cause mischief elsewhere in the carb. The KLR has a hex-head plug on the muffler side, which I assume you just loosen. ----------------------------------
> If that does not work, a partial tear down will be required.
---

stuck float? gas runs out of drain mast

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:17 pm
by revmaaatin
--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Richard Bassett wrote:
> > > This has usually worked for me ... > > > A lite tap on the carb =butt of a large screwdriver where the fuel enters might > > dislodge the offending float needle. > ---------------------------------- > *** NEXT, TRY THIS ***. Turn the fuel off at the tap. Drain the float bowl. If the bike can be started, you can just run it until it uses up the fuel in the bowl - no need to even touch it with a spanner or screwdriver if you're out on the road and want to get going again ASAP. Then cross your fingers and turn the fuel back on. > > This often works because most times like this there's just a bit of junk jammed between the needle & seat holding the valve partly open. If the bowl is full, the float pushes up and the needle holds the junk against the seat. When you drain the bowl, the needle drops and the junk is released. If it's not too big, the junk will be washed through when you turn the fuel back on. > > Of course you should drain the float bowl afterwards, otherwise the junk could then cause mischief elsewhere in the carb. The KLR has a hex-head plug on the muffler side, which I assume you just loosen. > ---------------------------------- > > If that does not work, a partial tear down will be required. > --- >
Richard, That is an extraordinarily good suggestion for field maintenance. 2X thanks. =best new suggestion in weeks! Richard for Prez!!! or at least KLR King for a Day If I might build on that as well-- If you have the plug out, with the fuel on-(stock OEM system) Touch the starter to 'blow' fuel/fluid/junk past the needle valve. DO NOT LOOK AT THE DRAIN PLUG HOLE when you do this, --Unless you have an eye wash station handy. You will get an eye full....yeah, ask me how I know (almost--but, Close enough to qualify for the T-shirt What you will witness is that evertime the thumper, thumps, the vaccum system 'squirts' fuel, dare I say--under pressure, cause that is what it looks like--into the fuel bowl. Anything there, unless the grit particle/junk is just massive, it will hopefully blow right into the bowl--and hopefully right out the drain hole (and not into your eye!). The point being--with the fuel bowl plug removed and the fuel tap 'on', it will blow fuel/fluid out that drain hole at an alarming rate! Scary alarming rate. What is good to know: It works especially well in pumping trapped water (Put the petcock on reserve) out of the tank. revmaaatin. whose KLR decidedly WILL NOT run on water

what is the best helmet for the money?

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 4:02 pm
by fasteddiecopeman
I bought a KBC FFR modular helmet recently on clearance for $99 + shipping. It's DOT only, but allows you to put it on while wearing glasses. Has air opening above and below the visor, removable washable liner, non-fogging 'shield, very comfortable and looks great. I like it so much that I ordered another ($149 + from a different company) for home in Canada. For perspective - I have a SHOEI, HJC, 2 other KBCs, plus a couple of dirt helmets, and wear the FFR most of the time! Ed
--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote: > > Hello, > For along time now I have been looking for a good helment. Obviously, I'm not satisfied with any I have now. I want one that is light, little wind noise and not over $200. I'm looking for advice from those who actually have been around a while and have tried several. I don't much care if it is full face or not. I do want one that has a scratch resistant shield and that the shields are not hard to find. > > Please CC any reply: robertwaters@... > > Thanx in advance, > rw > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >