85' 550L Must wait to re-start after running, needs a lot of choke or gas to idle

[JEEPRUSTY]

You would have been bettere served by checking the valves instead of doing a relay mod.

[Juriah]

The voltage was low at the coils.. this problem is intermittent..whatever it is.. I'd figure if the valves are out of whack ok but that'd be a consistent problem I'd think.. a job for next year I guess..I'm so slow working on it, it'd eat up an entire day to check the damn things for me

[tom203]

Yeah, it can be frustrating, that's why folks here stress the importance of cleaning carbs properly to rule them out as the culprit. If you have to add "choke" to get it to run better when warm, your carbs ain't fuctioning as designed. Gummed up fuel filter-either intank or inline- can starve carbs of fuel at high loading.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Its his valves
I can check mine and put the bike back together in less than an hour.


This is really good stuff to set the gasket into the valve train cover,

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex--aviation-form-a-gasket--no--3-sealant-liquid-detail

nice stuff oil resistant and cleans up in alcohol.

[Juriah]

Its his valves
I can check mine and put the bike back together in less than an hour.


This is really good stuff to set the gasket into the valve train cover,

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/product-categories/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex--aviation-form-a-gasket--no--3-sealant-liquid-detail

nice stuff oil resistant and cleans up in alcohol.

I think you're right.. I might have time this weekend to pull the valve covers off.. I ordered new gasket and o rings/seals for all of that. My conclusion is I'm not getting fuel.. the filters are good... there's not enough vacuum! Intake valves aren't sealing or getting stuck open... so not sucking fuel.. on the bright side, everything else is done! Gonna be like a brand new bike if this is indeed the problem. Thanks!

[OriginalOwner]

Have you checked your in-tank fuel screen? I had a dirt bike with similar symptoms that just had a lot of crap in the screen.

[Juriah]

There is plenty of gas in the in-line filter, they are new fuel lines too.. there really is only one place left that hasn't been checked.. inside the engine.. everything else checks out just fine..or is brand new.. when the weather is right I'm gonna check the valves and cross my fingers it's not a timing chain issue or whatever else.. I should've mentioned the oil pressure light has been on since I got it as well.. I assume that is a vacuum issue also.. intake valves..one and the same source

[Juriah]

Checked and set service manual valve clearances.. they weren't off much to begin with.. problem is elsewhere.. sooo... it's not the carbs, coils, valves, battery, plugs, gas supply, all brand new boots and rings, brand new fkn everything almost... so what the hell is it... I've spent so much money on parts I can't afford to pay anyone to fix it

[Dj66]

Oil pressure light?

I strongly suggest that you investigate the oil pressure light issue.

[Juriah]

The damn sensor housing for that on front of oil filter cover is so old and out of shape looking that I just figured it didn't work right.. another thing I have to hook a gauge up to that i don't have.. wish I had a knowledgeable biker friend who would just work on this thing with me for fun instead of having to pay someone to work on it =\ Just running out of money to put into this money sink

[Steve]

Please explain to me (us) with a little bit of detail, how did you "clean the carbs"?

All I saw was a reference to spraying some cleaner and poking a wire. Did you do a full "strip and dip" cleaning by dipping each carb body in carb cleaner dip for a full 24 hours?

You were given links that showed the proper carb cleaning technique. Until we receive some assurance that they have been followed there is no point to do any further guessing.

It was also suggested that you ditch the in-line fuel filter. Unless you can provide assurance that it is NOT an automotive-type filter and is designed for a gravity-fed fuel system, please get rid of it, it is too restrictive for use in a bike.

Yes, you DO have a fuel problem, and it will be fixed if you would simply follow our suggestions to clean the carbs and ditch the fuel filter.

Humble pie doesn't usually taste very good, but a small dose of it now is better than the whole pie later on.

.

[Juriah]

I should have mentioned I got rid of the in line filter... the guy who put it on the bike in the first place has been around and working on bikes 20+ years but doesn't mean he knows anything I guess.. that same guy did the dip method..then I took them completely apart myself just to be sure down to every tiny peice, very very close inspection... the parts were shiny and clean inside (like new).. so does that settle that. Thanks btw it's too bad you're not in southeast Ohio, you'd be really close to me =\

[Steve]

I should have mentioned I got rid of the in line filter...

There is a step in the right direction.

... that same guy did the dip method..then I took them completely apart myself just to be sure down to every tiny peice, very very close inspection... the parts were shiny and clean inside (like new).. so does that settle that.

Sounds OK, but still not conclusive.

Even with the best magnifying glass you can get, you can not see what's inside the little passages between the holes that you can see, and THAT is where the problems lie.

Thanks btw it's too bad you're not in southeast Ohio, you'd be really close to me =\

I go through Parkersburg every spring, on my way to Elkins. You are only three hours away. Come on over.

.

[Juriah]

Even with the best magnifying glass you can get, you can not see what's inside the little passages between the holes that you can see, and THAT is where the problems lie.

Even if I sprayed cleaner through all of those passages I couldn't physically look through and it came out the other side in full force (like no obstructions)? Yeah, three hours ain't bad to have the help of a pro and maybe get this thing finally fixed

[Steve]

When you spray into a passage, there might be a small opening in the gunk, allowing some spray to come through. What is needed is to soak the carbs overnight, THEN use the spray. The dip will weaken (or remove) the gunk, the spray will finally blow it clear. Some of those passages are also inter-connected. You might not know where all you should be seeing spray, and miss an important passage.

Contact me via PM or e-mail, we can work something out.

.