Another new guy question

Customdeluxe

Customdeluxe

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Joined
Feb 13, 2015
Messages
15
Location
Ottawa valley
Are the red head engines fairly finicky when it comes to choke? I started the beast this morning, let it warm up and moved it from the back yard around to the garage. About four hours later I started it with half choke and shut the choke off as soon as it started running because I flooded it last week from leaving it to long. It idled for a minute or so and I gave it a little blip of the throttle and got a pop through the exhaust. Then it stumbled so I blipped the throttle again and it popped and quit. When I tried to start it again it backfired so hard the pipe came out of the silencer. Any ideas?
 
Pretty sure the guy that I bought it from said that he did. I think I will yank them and give them a going over anyway. Is there anything that would point to a rich condition when I am cleaning them? It fouls plugs and gets brutal mileage, 7 or 8 mpg. Seems ok between 50 and 80 mph but it's a dog at reasonable trail speed.
 
They are dark with brown on the electrode. I was doing some reading in the tech section. I'm going to check the needle setting and fuel screws. It's definitly rich. I'm guessing that the backfire was due to a fouled plug and a bunch of gas igniting in the pipe. Start with the easy stuff and go from there seems to be the best option. Triple carbs are kind of intimidating when the only sled I have monkeyed around with was a 1969 Olympic.
 
Changed the plugs and went for a rip today. Runs ok. Seems to run better for the first ten minutes or so and drops off a bit as it warms up. Still horrible on gas. 33 litres to go 55km. Think I'm going to pull the carbs. I did take the washers off the back of the secondary and got the squeal to go away so there was one victory today. I read something about the carb heater having an effect of fuel mileage. Any truth to that?
 
I pulled the top of the air box off and there are three or four holes in the bottom of it. Seems odd to let air in from down there. I'm guessing there is something missing. There is also a layer of oil on the bottom.
 
Pulled the carbs. They look clean and everything seems to be where it should. I'll go through them tomorrow. The vent tubes were just open to the air. I'm pretty sure that's not good for mileage. Question is where should they vent to?
 
So they should be fine the way they were then. What about the holes in the bottom ofthe airbox? There are 5, about 1/2 inch or so.
 
Customdeluxe said:
So they should be fine the way they were then. What about the holes in the bottom ofthe airbox? There are 5, about 1/2 inch or so.
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I suspect 01srx700 is correct on both points.
Did you just pick this up and is she your first red head?
Do you plan to ride alot and want to keep it long?

If so, I'd suggest becoming a member and plan to read here - alot. The small amount you spend in coin, and the spent time reading, will save you both and provide hours of riding - rather then spinning cold wrenches in the snow... if that's what you're after.

What kind of shape is the rest of the sled in? As you found, she ain't no Olympic. Can't just cold start and go. Let it warm 10 minutes - I fiddle until the coolant flows.

You'll learn alot just searching here even without the benifits of membership (shop manual, etc..). .

Find Mr. Viper's carb clean 101 - read about your skid, engine/clutch mods... reading for days. Ask any question.

Sounds like the choke plunger/s are sticking open a bit.

Enjoy
 
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Membership has been bought. I'm a sucker for stickers and t-shirts so I got soaked for the full 35 bucks. This is a great site, and very new guy friendly. Any thoughts on the holes at the bottom of the air box?
 
Problem solved. It was the floats. They were set around 7mm. I'm guessing that allowed any circuit that wanted gas at the right amount of vacuum to have it resulting in everything running rich. The choke cable may have been a little tight as well. I backed it off a tad just in case. I am going to assume that skis lifting off the ground under hard acceleration means things are working well.
 
Customdeluxe said:
snip I am going to assume that skis lifting off the ground under hard acceleration means things are working well.
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Well, it could mean you could use some adjustment to the skid but it sounds like you have it running well.

If you really are coming off an Olympic - be careful and spend some time getting comfortable with your new found acceleration. Hazards can come along real quick.

Welcome.
 
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