Trouble getting started 1st time in morning.

[danrpat]

This is weird, When I first got the bike running it started fine every time. Cold, warm whatever, never needing the choke. Now it is really hard to get started for the first time each day. Putting the choke on makes it worse. After cranking her for a while with her trying to start she will finally start but run really rough until it warms up a bit. Then it runs great and I can start it fine for the rest of the day. It is only after it sits over night that it has problems starting. This just started last week. Any ideas?? Thanks again in advance..

 

[mixongw]

Sounds like maybe the petcock is leaking overnight, flooding the carbs.

 

[Jose1124]

I had Same Problem

I had Same Problem

I had same problem It was my pet cock it was leaking gas through the vaccumme and for the life of me I could not get it started. when I did it would run fine. Also changed the inline fuel filter.

I bought my pet cock from del amo motor sports on line for 60 $ I got it about 10 days.

 

[JHawkins]

This is weird, When I first got the bike running it started fine every time. Cold, warm whatever, never needing the choke. Now it is really hard to get started for the first time each day. Putting the choke on makes it worse. After cranking her for a while with her trying to start she will finally start but run really rough until it warms up a bit. Then it runs great and I can start it fine for the rest of the day. It is only after it sits over night that it has problems starting. This just started last week. Any ideas?? Thanks again in advance..

I have noticed that if my bike gets cold, then it warms up and I try to start it, it does not like to start. If I pull the gas cap and pop it back on it seems to start quicker. For me it seems to be a temperature fluctuation thing, strange, but I have noticed the pattern.

 

[danrpat]

I will have to check on the petcock thing. I just replaced it with a new unit. I was thinking the other way as in it wasn't getting enough fuel until it got started. But I even tried putting it in the prime position and starting it with the same results. I will check for fuel on the vacuum side tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[POULSEN]

Hi Dan,
Please let me know the result - I have the exact same problem

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

If you're positive that applying the choke worsens the cold start, then it sounds like you're starving for air.
A richer mixture (choke) should make starting a cold motor easier, not harder.
If you had poor air flow into the carb(s), then it would already be "rich". Choke would worsen the condition. If the air filter is clean, I'd suspect the pilot and/or primary air jets are clogging. They allow air in to atomize the mixture. Poor air flow would cause poor atomization and would cause your symptoms.
Try some carb cleaner spray, several times through a tube, into the jets followed quickly with a blast of compressed air. The two jets per carb are located at the lower throat opening, filter side. Watch your eyes.
If that doesn't help, try removing the mixture screws and spraying/blasting into their holes too. Blast out completely so no cleaner residue can saturate o-rings/rubber parts. You may want to try this first if the stock air box is on. We all know how hard it can be to remove/re-install the stock boxes to get at the PA jets.
Be sure to LIGHTLY seat and note how much each mixture screw is turned. Be aware the screws can be stiff if never turned before and the heads can strip easily.
Not saying this is your problem, but it makes sense.
Clogged air jets would also effect warmed up performance. But the cold motor performance would still be more noticable and the improved warmed up performance could be fooling you.
As mentioned earlier, this apparent rich condition may also be a high float bowl(s) fuel level at start up caused by fuel leaking.
If you can't prove a petcock problem, before the next cold start, drain some (or all) fuel from the bowls via the bowl drain screws. This will correct any high fuel level/rich condition. Now prime for about 15 seconds and see if starting is normal. If it's normal, you have a high bowl level problem. Either the petcock or float valve(s).

 

[flyingace]

Dan,
There is a lot of information missing that makes a diagnosis difficult. Is your bike a Suzuki GS? What year/model? Is the bike stock or have there been mods?

I ask this because I've never heard of a GS model starting and running cold without using the choke.

 

[mixongw]

I have noticed that if my bike gets cold, then it warms up and I try to start it, it does not like to start. If I pull the gas cap and pop it back on it seems to start quicker. For me it seems to be a temperature fluctuation thing, strange, but I have noticed the pattern.

Do you have a vacuum in the tank when you take off the cap? If so, then the vent hole is stopped up in the cap.

 

[danrpat]

Sorry, good point, it is a '85 GS1150 ES. Stock air box, new filter and I just cleaned out the carbs all except the mixture screws. Now for some history on the bike, it sat for nine years. As to vacuum on the tank, haven't noticed any kind of noise like a release of vacuum when I open the cap. Also not this is a California bike with the two charcoal canisters in the vent lines. This did start happening when I hooked them back up to the carbs. Before the tee was broken and the lines were just open to the air. I just went out there and it took a few cranks but she finally fired over. The vacuum line coming from the petcock is dry and no signs of fuel in it. I guess I will pull the carbs out again and remove mixture screws and clean them out. Thanks again.

 

[bwringer]

Air filter clean?

 

[danrpat]

Air filter clean?

Brand new air filter.

 

[flyingace]

Are turning the throttle when you first start up the bike (with choke on)? This is something lots of folks do, thinking it gets more fuel into the cylinders. In fact, it defeats the purpose of the choke circuit. Leave the throttle alone when starting with the choke.

It really sounds now like the choke isn't functioning as it should. The symptoms you describe sound like a bike that needs a richer mixture when cold. Are the choke levers moving at the carbs?

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

But he says using the choke worsens the problem. If he's keeping the throttle closed and applying choke worsens the problem, the choke appears to be working. Further richening an already rich mixture.

 

[danrpat]

Well, pulled the carbs out again, cleaned out the mixture screw openings and put it all together, boy am I getting good at removing and installing these carbs LOL!! Disassembled the fuel tank cap and cleaned it all up. Now we'll see what happens in the morning, I will let you all know. Thanks again for the advice and tips.

 

[danrpat]

Another question on this matter, when starting it should the petcock be in the prime position or the normal run position??

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Another question on this matter, when starting it should the petcock be in the prime position or the normal run position??

If the bowls were empty, you should prime first. If the bowls are at normal level, you don't need to prime.

 

[danrpat]

Well this morning, put the choke on and used no throttle and it cranked a little bit, took about four tries and she fired up. Guess I will richen the mixture screws a tad bit more this weekend and see what happens. Thanks again for all the information and ideas. Looks like another bug out of the machine. Man this thing is wicked fast compared to my old 750!!!\\/ \\/

 

[rphillips]

In my opinion, if you go up a size, on the pilot jets, the bike will start easier & you won't need to use the choke near as much. Some think it will make the bike run too rich, but what I've found is you won't see any difference, anywhere, except for easier starting. I've thought about going up two sizes, to see if there would be any ill affects, but never did.

 

[danrpat]

So, were do you get the new jets and what information do I need to provide? Carb model and number, bike year and model etc?? I am going to richen the carbs and replace the air box tube clamps tomorrow. It is still a bit cranky in the morning but not as bad as it has been......