engine bogs down and then dies

[crabdance]

Yesterday I rode my bike and everything went well and I had no problems at all. This morning I rode my bike and after about a mile of riding, the motor starts cutting out and losing power and sounding like it's running out of gas. If I use the throttle just a little bit 1/4 turn it runs a little bit but eventually dies. Anything over 1/4 throttle and it sounds like it is flooding out.

I'm not very mechanical so I may not be explaining this good. If you need to ask me questions please do.

It's been doing this for a while and I'm at a loss for what to do. I thought it was fixed when I changed the idle screw and finally got it to idle yesterday. It ran great yesterday all day long. I took several 10 mile trips with no problems at all. I'm getting ready to take it out for a spin again and I will let you all know how it goes.

thanks,
cd

 

[misteright1_99]

Check your float. Sounds like the same problem that didnt go away.....

 

[Norman]

sounds to me like your starving for fuel. do you have an inline fuel filter?
Did you leave the intank fuel strainer on or remove it?
Now for something to try and it will sound kind of kinky take off the gas cap and pressure up the tank by blowing air into the tank with your mouth. see if it will now run. Your tank may have some boogers in it if that pressuring up on the tank helps.
if you don't have an inline filter do get one.
I told you it would sound kinky and I realy toned it down at least I tried to.
Norman

 

[tinkerfinger]

I had same problem, turned out the top of the carburator had simply come loose where you unscrew it to attach the cable. Air was pooring in around it.

 

[crabdance]

sounds to me like your starving for fuel. do you have an inline fuel filter?
Did you leave the intank fuel strainer on or remove it?
Now for something to try and it will sound kind of kinky take off the gas cap and pressure up the tank by blowing air into the tank with your mouth. see if it will now run. Your tank may have some boogers in it if that pressuring up on the tank helps.
if you don't have an inline filter do get one.
I told you it would sound kinky and I realy toned it down at least I tried to.
Norman

I believe that the intank fuel strainer is still on. I will try blowing into the gas tank tomorrow and let you know what happens.

 

[thatsdax]

could be that your gas cap is sealing so well that no air can get into the tank creating a vacuum. Check it. If this is the case, drill a tiny hole just off the side of the rubber washer underneath. Enjoy the ride..

 

[crabdance]

I guess there is one important thing that I failed to mention. When I turn the gas on at the tank, fuel starts leaking real bad. Not just a little but a lot. I don't know where the leak is yet but I will try and find that out later on today. Sorry to leave out such an important detail.

 

[tinkerfinger]

It is probably leaking at the brass fuel inlet that the fuel line plugs onto on the carb. It unscrewed on me and lost half a tank. unplug fuel line. you will see slots in top for flat head screwdriver.

 

[crabdance]

It is probably leaking at the brass fuel inlet that the fuel line plugs onto on the carb. It unscrewed on me and lost half a tank. unplug fuel line. you will see slots in top for flat head screwdriver.

Thanks tinkerfinger.. that might be it. That sounds like the most reasonable thing so far. Like everything else on my bike it probably vibrated loose. When it gets light outside I will give that a try. I will let you know how things go.

thanks

 

[tinkerfinger]

No worries, last night my bike shut down on me in the dark. I had purchased new dokker shorts, and when I simply cranked the peddals 1/2 turn to give my left cheek a rest, my pant leg flipped the fuel petcock off. I have an I.Q. of 156, and it took me a good 20 min to figure out what happened in the dark. I was grabbing hot metal parts to see if anything was loose, Total panic mode. I felt like an idiot when i realized the problem.
Even worse, it happened again on the way home. So much for baggy shorts. Its always something.

 

[crabdance]

No worries, last night my bike shut down on me in the dark. I had purchased new dokker shorts, and when I simply cranked the peddals 1/2 turn to give my left cheek a rest, my pant leg flipped the fuel petcock off. I have an I.Q. of 156, and it took me a good 20 min to figure out what happened in the dark. I was grabbing hot metal parts to see if anything was loose, Total panic mode. I felt like an idiot when i realized the problem.
Even worse, it happened again on the way home. So much for baggy shorts. Its always something.

Oh man... sorry you were having a hard time with the fuel being turned off. Sometimes I forget to turn mine on and can't figure out why it won't start. I panic too when something goes wrong with my bike and I'm away from home and don't have any tools (no toolkit yet). Happened yesterday when all that fuel started leaking. I barely made it home. I was bummed. I'm going to take your advice though about the brass inlet and check that as soon as I can.

thanks

 

[crabdance]

Ok, have some new info on the gas leak. I looked this morning to see if I could find out where it was leaking and I found it. It is leaking out the primer/tickler button, so I guess the whole carburetor is getting flooded. Everything keeps pointing to me having to take the carburetor apart but I really don't want to do that because I'm no mechanic... looks like I have no choice though. I checked the brass fitting where the gas goes into the carburetor and it was fine. Anyone have any ideas?.... thanks.

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

Tap the tickler a couple of times to see if it stops leaking. If not, you float is either full of fuel, or not adjusted right.

 

[crabdance]

Tap the tickler a couple of times to see if it stops leaking. If not, you float is either full of full, or not adjusted right.

I just went outside and tapped the tickler a few times and it did not stop the gas from leaking. What do I need to do to the carburetor to fix it? I've read about bending the prongs (or something) so that the float cuts off sooner.

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

First, you'll have to take the float bowl off and take the float out to have a look. If it's full of fuel, there are ways to fix it. While you are in there, see if there is any crud inside the carb.

Let us know what you find.

 

[crabdance]

Ok... I'm going to do that now and will get right back with you... Thanks a bunch for the help. brb

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

I'll be waiting.....

 

[crabdance]

First, you'll have to take the float bowl off and take the float out to have a look. If it's full of fuel, there are ways to fix it. While you are in there, see if there is any crud inside the carb.

Let us know what you find.

ok... just got back from taking a look.. yes it was full of fuel and I didn't see any trash in it. It was just completely full of fuel. What do I do from here?

 

[Bikeguy Joe]

The float was full of fuel, or the float bowl? If it's the float itself, you'll need to drain it and seal it with some Polyester resin, or a soldering iron, or buy a new one.

If the float chamber (bowl) is full then you have to check the float needle for proper operation. Pull the fuel line from the tank and gently blow through it.....with the float bowl off you should be able to. Then GENTLY push up on that brass fork in the carb while blowing...does it stop the air and make it impossible to blow through the fuel line?

If it DOES NOT then you have a piece of crud in there blocking it from shutting off completely, or a damaged float needle tip. You'll have to pull the pin and the brass fork and clean out the debris...while your in there, look at the end of the float needle, is it in good shape? Look up into the fuel inlet and inspect for debris there too.

IF IT DOES SHUT OFF THE FLOW- then you will need to adjust your float level....bend the tabs on the brass fork DOWN A LITTLE BIT (1-2 MM). Reassemble and try it.

 

[crabdance]

The float was full of fuel, or the float bowl? If it's the float itself, you'll need to drain it and seal it with some Polyester resin, or a soldering iron, or buy a new one.

If the float chamber (bowl) is full then you have to check the float needle for proper operation. Pull the fuel line from the tank and gently blow through it.....with the float bowl off you should be able to. Then GENTLY push up on that brass fork in the carb while blowing...does it stop the air and make it impossible to blow through the fuel line?

If it DOES NOT then you have a piece of crud in there blocking it from shutting off completely, or a damaged float needle tip. You'll have to pull the pin and the brass fork and clean out the debris...while your in there, look at the end of the float needle, is it in good shape? Look up into the fuel inlet and inspect for debris there too.

IF IT DOES SHUT OFF THE FLOW- then you will need to adjust your float level....bend the tabs on the brass fork DOWN A LITTLE BIT (1-2 MM). Reassemble and try it.

The Float bowl was full of fuel... Ok.. let me go try these other things and I will get right back to you. Thanks so much for the help.