Three-day engine death (question)

[Lucien Harpress]

Okay, two of the three mixture screws are out and cleaned. A few things.

- The tips of these screws have been the only place I've really found any gunk. It's obvious that someone had gone through and cleaned these carbs at least once before I received it, but the mixture screws haven't been touched. It gives me hope!

- I realized why each screw was in so far. It seems that when I drilled through the caps covering each screw, the drill tip nicked the tops of the screws a few times. This turned each screw in nearly all the way. What that means for me is that when it comes to tuning the engine, I'm starting from scratch.

- There's just one thing that worries me. When both screws are seated, one tip protrudes out a bit more than the other. However, when comparing the screws out of the carb bodies, they seem identical. Is this something to worry about, or can it be adjusted later with no ill effects?

(I just want to thank everybody for putting up with all these questions)

[DGXSER]

- I realized why each screw was in so far. It seems that when I drilled through the caps covering each screw, the drill tip nicked the tops of the screws a few times. This turned each screw in nearly all the way. What that means for me is that when it comes to tuning the engine, I'm starting from scratch.

If it were me, I'd start them at 2 turns out from seated. That has been successful for me on more than one bike.

- There's just one thing that worries me. When both screws are seated, one tip protrudes out a bit more than the other. However, when comparing the screws out of the carb bodies, they seem identical. Is this something to worry about, or can it be adjusted later with no ill effects?

Sounds like someone may have had to drill out a broken tip and made the hole a little bit bigger. It will make the number of turns out different than the others, but it should tune just fine. I'd still start at two turns out for all.

[Crazcnuk]

That or there is still some gunk, or an old chunk of oring in there.

[tarzan]

Did you get the o-rings and washers out of the pilot screw holes and how did they look?Were the o-rings cracking or deteriorating?

[Lucien Harpress]

The first two (the only ones out so far) looked really good. The worst part of the screws were the tips and the hole in the carb bodies- both covered in black gunk. I just put the O-rings and washers back in.

I'll have to get some pics up later.

[boyat68]

Lucien Harpress :

When drilling into the caps, use a drill stop that can be purchased. It is a collar that attaches to the drill bit at a certain chosen depth of the bit by small Allen screws. in lieu of that, wrap several layers of vinyl tape around the bit to control depth. The vinyl tape may slip a bit but it will stop the bit from plunging into the cap and striking the air screw (mixture). The preferred method is to drill a small hole in the cap and insert a self tapping screw, using a pair of vise grips to pull up on the cap.

[tarzan]

So while you had it back apart did you check to make sure all the passages are clear before reinstalling the o-rings,washers ,and screws?I take it the o-rings were in good shape then?
If the pilot circuits are clean and clear it should idle.Or at least you should be able to adjust it.

[Lucien Harpress]

boyat68- I will try the vinyl tape trick for the last cap. The cap I took off today (the third one) was an adventure. The drill bit I was using to drill the first hole managed to snap off. After a bit of beating and banging (more than I'd like to EVER do in the future), I managed to get it out. The mixture screw was, of course, nearly undamaged.

tarzan- While the carbs are off the bike I'm doing another complete re-clean of all the parts. The passages got copious amounts of carb cleaner and I cleaned what I could with a toothpick. I'm kind of glad I'm getting these screws out now. If I have problems in the future, it'll be one more thing I can adjust without tearing the bike apart.