running a klr with no oil never ends good; 08 is junk!

[Monty Cunningham]

When traveling in hot temps (95-105) at a steady 70mph my bike starts missing or coughing or sputtering. The temp gauge does not register it as being hot but the three times it has happened my legs next to the engine have been very hot. It runs fine at all other times getting 60mpg at 55mph and about 38mpg puching at 70 to 75mph. It does not stop and when I slow down (55) it starts running smooth again. I took it to my local Kawasaki dealer and he said I needed smaller jets because it was burning too rich. I took it to a local off road shop and they said it needed larger jets because it was burning too lean and hot. It is a 1993 with 30,000miles. What size jet should I have and is this really the problem? Thanks. Monte Cunningham

[iron_wolf_13]

First thing you might consider is either rebuilding the vaccuum petcock, or converting it to manual petcock. Many people find that this kind of symptom disappears when the fuel delivery is improved. Dave --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Monty Cunningham" wrote:

> > When traveling in hot temps (95-105) at a steady 70mph my bike

starts

> missing or coughing or sputtering. The temp gauge does not

register it

> as being hot but the three times it has happened my legs next to

the

> engine have been very hot. It runs fine at all other times getting > 60mpg at 55mph and about 38mpg puching at 70 to 75mph. It does not

stop

> and when I slow down (55) it starts running smooth again. I took

it to

> my local Kawasaki dealer and he said I needed smaller jets because

it

> was burning too rich. I took it to a local off road shop and they

said

> it needed larger jets because it was burning too lean and hot. It

is a

> 1993 with 30,000miles. What size jet should I have and is this

really

> the problem? Thanks. > > Monte Cunningham >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Monty Cunningham" wrote:

> > When traveling in hot temps (95-105) at a steady 70mph my bike

starts

> missing or coughing or sputtering. The temp gauge does not register

it

> as being hot but the three times it has happened my legs next to

the

> engine have been very hot. It runs fine at all other times getting > 60mpg at 55mph and about 38mpg puching at 70 to 75mph. It does not

stop

> and when I slow down (55) it starts running smooth again. I took it

to

> my local Kawasaki dealer and he said I needed smaller jets because

it

> was burning too rich. I took it to a local off road shop and they

said

> it needed larger jets because it was burning too lean and hot. It

is a

> 1993 with 30,000miles. What size jet should I have and is this

really

> the problem? Thanks. > > Monte Cunningham >

Hi Monte, Need to ask a couple of questions: Q1. Are you using a fuel filter? Q2. Are you using fuel containing ethanol? My experience: Fuel filters don't work well for you if you have a heavy throttle hand, and will cause you to switch to reserve much earlier than with out it. Others have varying results: I have two KLR's with two different fuel filters (previously installed) and they both ran poorly at the bottom of the fuel level--because it was starving the bike. The carb fuel bowl would not fill as fast as it needed fuel due to lack of head-pressure to push the fuel through. Ethanol. It works poorly in the KLR at temps above 95F. Perhaps the technical term is vapor-lock. shrug. I know it just doesn't work. I watched and documented this on several occasions, on different days. The temp break-out always occurred at ~95F, at high throttle setting. ie. It ran fine, at a lower throttle setting, just as your bike does at 55mph. Also, check to see where your petcock selection lever is setting. If you look closely, straight down, is not 'full-open'. OPEN, is actually pointed a little aft. Having done a recent petcock rebuild, I noticed that little difference in where you point your lever, cough, might make a difference in the fuel flow to the carb at high power requirements. revmaaatin.

[Dail]

Top Post, because I can. Perhaps you haven't tried the the "right" filter, if there is such a filter it just may be Auto Zone fuel filter number FF3311 is an idea filter for a KLR, tall low restriction, right angle outlet, $3.09 +tax

----- Original Message ----- From: "revmaaatin" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:04 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Surge or coughing > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Monty Cunningham" >>>>>>>BIG SNIP Hi Monte, > Need to ask a couple of questions: > Q1. Are you using a fuel filter? > Q2. Are you using fuel containing ethanol? > > My experience: > Fuel filters don't work well for you if you have a heavy throttle > hand, and will cause you to switch to reserve much earlier than with > out it. Others have varying results: I have two KLR's with two > different fuel filters (previously installed) and they both ran > poorly at the bottom of the fuel level--because it was starving the > bike. The carb fuel bowl would not fill as fast as it needed fuel > due to lack of head-pressure to push the fuel through. > > Ethanol. It works poorly in the KLR at temps above 95F. Perhaps the > technical term is vapor-lock. shrug. I know it just doesn't work. > I watched and documented this on several occasions, on different > days. The temp break-out always occurred at ~95F, at high throttle > setting. ie. It ran fine, at a lower throttle setting, just as your > bike does at 55mph. > > Also, check to see where your petcock selection lever is setting. If > you look closely, straight down, is not 'full-open'. OPEN, is > actually pointed a little aft. Having done a recent petcock rebuild, > I noticed that little difference in where you point your lever, > cough, might make a difference in the fuel flow to the carb at high > power requirements. > > revmaaatin. > > > ------------------------------------ > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1631 - Release Date: 8/24/2008 > 12:15 PM > > >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dail" wrote:

> > Top Post, because I can. > > Perhaps you haven't tried the the "right" filter, if there is

such a

> filter it just may be > Auto Zone fuel filter number FF3311 is an idea filter for a

KLR, tall

> low > restriction, right angle outlet, $3.09 +tax >

Hi Dail, I am glad you have found a filter that works for you, and in your location. If I get near an autozone, I'll give it a go. Perhaps you could tell us you experience: 1. How much fuel did you put in the bike right after it went to reserve? It should be ~5 gallons. With a filter, I hit reserve early, and then flat run out of gas in less than 8 miles. I had to dip inot the double secret reserve twice for the last 6 miles, and then at the gas station, only pump in 4.1 gallons!!!! Not just once, or on just one bike. (Yeah, slow learner). Both bikes now go sans filter--but have good OEM screens installed, as previously noted in another post. An ongoing selection of peripheral effects is in order. I have had two different f/f brands: same results--you are not able to use the bikes normal fuel delivery/reserve as it was intended. Others validate that experience. SPOOF follows: cough. Q. What's an Auto Zone? Heard of them in KY,(even bought parts from them) but out here on the prairie, it is a non-entity. It is 50+ miles to the NAPA auto parts store--if they have it when you get there--"We can have it tomorrow." Great. 200 mile round trip for a $3.09 fuel filter (etal) that when installed will cause me to carry around 2 gallons of fuel I can't use. Fuel filters work good (in my experience) if you have fuel available to you in many locations. Which is not the case here. Fuel is often 50-100 miles between stations--and it is clean from the pump. The Cowboys get pretty bent out of shape if you sell them poor, dirty fuel. If you have lots of gas stations, who cares when you go to reserve? Pull over, pump gas. IMExperience--the KLR does not assimilate fuel filters well. All that said, some get along with them just fine. shrug. Laying the bike down to get at the secret reserve will cure you quick. Quicker--if you have to do it twice in the same day. revmaaatin

[nakedwaterskier]

With all the things you have to worry about/bring with you on a long dual sport ride to remote regions, the last thing you want to carry and worry about is an extra gallon of oil! Jeffrey Re: Running a KLR with no oil never ends good Good trip report Dave, nice pix. Thanks! Oregon has some great country to ride-in. Bummer about the new klr running out of oil.