starting problems
  • tjb001
    Posts:10
    Joined:Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:37 pm
    starting problems

    by tjb001 » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:01 pm

    bought my '04 450r this past winter, and tried to start it at least once a month. never stared right away with just the choke pulled out. tried lots of different things (never gave it gas though) but it always finally started with the hot start lever engaged. usually several kicks, maybe ten, with the choke on, then a few more kicks (5-10) with the choke off, hot start lever pulled, and she would fire up. started it up again this saturday, but much more difficult of a time. i.e. lots more kicks. went to start it on sunday, and i could not get the bugger going. tried with the choke on, choke off, hot start lever, etc. etc. finally had to bump start it and it ran great for 2 hours. took a 30 minute break, and again, could not get it going. had to bump start it again.

    please help.
  • Asmith
    Posts:14381
    Joined:Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:52 am

    by Asmith » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:08 pm

    Might just be your procedure.

    I use this when starting:

    turn gas on
    pull choke on
    twist throttle rapidly 3 times.

    then fire engine.

    Works every time.
  • tjb001
    Posts:10
    Joined:Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:37 pm

    by tjb001 » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:35 pm

    i'll give it a try. i was just warned not to try and give it gas if it was above freezing, like the owners manual states, or it could flood it our foul the plug.

    also, why would it start with the hot start lever, when the engine was cold?
  • User avatar
    JAWS
    Posts:4449
    Joined:Fri Jun 16, 2006 6:59 am

    by JAWS » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:37 pm

    This is a long shot, but if you didn't buy the bike new or if you ran it a lot, have you checked your valves? Have you ever checked them?

    Joe
    Image
    '05 CRF450X,McClain suspension, Cycra Probends, Pastrana FMX Pro Tapers,BRP Sub mount & Scotts stabilizer.See carb sticky for more
  • User avatar
    Zanardi4
    Posts:249
    Joined:Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:08 pm

    by Zanardi4 » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:14 pm

    Have you tried a new spark plug? Worked for me. :)

    Z4
    Joe V. - Simi Valley, CA
  • User avatar
    124
    Posts:3704
    Joined:Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:37 pm

    by 124 » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:37 am

    The choke and the hot start lever do the opposite of each other. Doing them both at the same time is counter-productive. Lol.

    Check the valves. Sounds like typical closed clearance symptoms.
    70' Honda CT70 (Trail 70; Gold)
    16' KX450
    16' KX85
    12' YZ125
  • tjb001
    Posts:10
    Joined:Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:37 pm

    by tjb001 » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:33 pm

    thanks. i'll try them all. i never did have the hot start lever pulled with the choke on at the same time. i may be dumb but i'm not an idiot.
  • User avatar
    124
    Posts:3704
    Joined:Wed Feb 16, 2005 1:37 pm

    by 124 » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:48 am

    tjb001 wrote:i may be dumb but i'm not an idiot.


    Easy there chief. Just trying to help. Not indicating you were an idiot. :roll:
    70' Honda CT70 (Trail 70; Gold)
    16' KX450
    16' KX85
    12' YZ125
  • tjb001
    Posts:10
    Joined:Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:37 pm

    by tjb001 » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:46 pm

    i was just making fun of myself. i do appreciate the help.
    thanks.
  • User avatar
    Roger450r
    Posts:91
    Joined:Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:54 pm

    by Roger450r » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:14 pm

    I had this exact problem and a mechanic friend of mine gave me the sollution. Cycle through your kicks 3 times softly. On the 4th let it rise to the top and kick it hard. Mine kicks right over now. I do this when hot as well and I make my kawi friends look bad when they're trying to kick theirs.
    :twisted:

    Hope this helps.
  • combatcraig58d
    Posts:24
    Joined:Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:14 am

    by combatcraig58d » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:31 am

    Finding TDC is a good tip and when it's cool out, 2 or 3 turns of the throttle helps it start much easier. Never use the throttle after its warm.
  • User avatar
    poway450
    Posts:228
    Joined:Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:39 pm

    by poway450 » Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:30 am

    sounds like valves. i always do one slow kick from top to bottom of starter. then back to top and give her all shes got no throttle

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests