Carburettor or not the carburettor

Advise would be appreciated for a problem that has just developed
on my Kawasaki KMX200. I took it for a longish road journey yesterday
to give it a good warm through because I have not used it much this year.
About ten miles into trip I ran out of fuel so I swapped to reserve and rode
her to a garage to fill up. Filled up and rode her for another fifteen miles
when
while slowing down she just cut out. I checked all the obvious and after
about
five mins of fafing she started and I rode her home. She cut out again at
home
and has refused to start since.
I have striped the carb because there seems to be no fuel on the spark plug
when
I remove it. Fuel gets to the carb ok so no blockage and all the jets and
floats
are where they are supposed to be. I have removed the exhaust baffle and
checked
the reed valves. There seems to be compression but I have not tested with a
gauge.

I am now lost as to what to do next so advise would be appreciated.

taz.

 

Is there a spark?

 

".

Yes spark is good

taz

 

I checked the spark and it is good and strong. The plug is dry when
removed. One other point I forgot to mention the bike now gives out
what sounds like a wet fart every ten of fifteen kicks or so and it has
never done that before.

taz.

 

is the spark at the right time?

 

taz.

I don't know and I don't know how I would find it if it was or not.
I do not have access to a timing light.

taz.

 

Not sure of this bike, but normally you can remove a cover to see the timing
marks, with the plug out and resting on the head where you can see it (still
connected to the plug lead), and with the ignition on, turn the engine over
slowly with a spanner. you should see the spark when the timing marks line
up. if so its fine if not its a problem.

P

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, taz

Seems likely that in running out of fuel you've dredged up some crap
from the bottom of the tank. I'd remove, strip and thoroughly clean the
carb.

Work carefully on a clean sheet of paper, so you don't get further crap
in the carb. Use an airline (if you can) to blow the jets through. If
not, use a can of carb cleaner. Careful with this stuff, it hurts if you
get it in your eyes. Do *NOT* try to clean the jets by pushing anything
through them.

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets
and Ducati Race Engineer.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Work carefully on a clean sheet of paper, so you don't get further crap in

I have striped it down and there were a few solid particles in the float
chamber and in the float valve. I thought "bingo sorted" but when rebuilt
and installed it was just the same. I removed it again and checked all
the possible settings against the manual and as far as I can see it should
be ok.
I've even turned it over with my hand against the air intake and I can feel
a definite suction through the carb.

taz.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, taz

Did you check the jets? If so, how?

That tells you nothing other than that some air is getting through. What
about fuel?

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Manufacturer of the "Champion-105" range of rearsets
and Ducati Race Engineer.

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (On its hols) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha GTS1000

 

Sounds like a problem I had once when the petrol tank cap breather hole was
blocked causing a vacuum in the tank, I once pushed a bike from Kilburn to
Harrow in the middle of the night before I sussed the problem.

 

Did you check the jets? If so, how?


I could only clean, blow with air and visually inspect.

As far as I can see no fuel is getting through. The plug is bone dry.


taz.

 

I am now lost as to what to do next so advise would be appreciated.

That problem had crossed my mined cause the same happened to me
a long time ago when the breather tube on the cap of my DT 175 MX
got blocked with mud. I have tried turning her over with the cap off.


taz.

 

If you haven't got an airline jets can be cleaned using a gas lighter
refill aerosol.

 

If you haven't got an airline jets can be cleaned using a gas lighter

I did blow it with compressed air I have a small air compressor
for such jobs but I've proved its not the carb now. I striped the
barrel and piston down and found the fault to be the rings and
piston. So I've now got the cleanest carb but no suction to
pull the fuel through.

Cheers taz.

 

Thus spake sweller unto the assembled multitudes:

I'm sure the British Airports Authority would take a dim view of this.