idle mixture screws

[COxs11newbie]

Well cut slots in the heads, and got one of the two stuck ones out. the other one just wouldn't budge. I was afraid to put to much leverage on it, so I just left it alone. The one I got out is in pretty bad shape, so I think I'll just go get a new one.

Guess i'll try a screw extractor next on the stuck one. Thanks guys....

[tab1324]

cutting slot in screw head

I managed to cut a slot in the screw threads of mine when they were totally seated using a regular grinding wheel. If I knew how to post photos of this I'd send to you but I'll try to explain.

First, if you can't see the threads in the hole, cut the alum. casting just above the screw head, front to back. Then cut down just behind the screw head from the top to remove the piece of alum. casting. Don't remove the entire casting, just the front 3/4 of the hole. This will allow you to take the grinding wheel and carefully cut a slot in the top of the screw head. Dont worry too much about nicking the threads in the hole, as when you thread the screw out, you'll renew the threads. Also, use something like liquid wrench.

If you send me your email address, I can send a photo - I can't figure out how to post them here.

Tom B.

[COxs11newbie]

tab-
Damn good suggestion, never even thought about that! So your saying just remove the very front portion to get a better angle to cut at? That actually might work considering what a crappy slot i put in it from above.

Will doing this create a problem like gettin junk down in the threads in the future?

=edit=
Whoops.... my email is jmullen@holly.colostate.edu, I'd love some pictures if ya got the time. Thanks agian....

[ChadXJ821100]

Idle Mixture Screws?

Hello carb experts,

Question for ya? I am triple cleaning my 82 1100 carbs and have removed everything but the idel mixture screw caps and screws. The bike sat for at least 5 years, do I need to remove the caps and clean? The carbs were terribly dirty elsewhere.

I have read in several places including my manual to leave them alone. What do you think?

As many of you have experienced this bike was dead on arrival and I trying like hell to resurect it before summer has come and gone. Getting spark was my first battle and that was finally acomplished with a different TCI box. This website has made it all possible and I very mucy appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Chad

[DiverRay]

YES!!!!! You NEED to remove the caps, and throw them as far as you can. Then remove the screws, and CLEAN everything. On the XJ, you will have a small washer and "O" ring as well. If the "O" ring is bad, you WILL need to replace it.

[The Lorax]

I had a similar issue with the mixture screws being buggered up and stuck on my ride. I got all of them out except the #4 screw. I did what someone else mentioned...kinda, I took a dremel with a cut - off wheel on it, cut into the tube that held the mixture screw until I made a new slot in the screw, I ended up removing a portion of the tube or hole or whatever its called to gain better access to the mixture screw. it came out, I replaced it, I have had no further issues with it. I need to make some further adjustments in that area as I adjusted the float height at the end of last riding season and ended up making a bit of a mess. I maight consider being aggrivated with myself for not letting sleeping dogs lie as the bike was running pretty well, just a little lean, not really significantly so, I just wanted perfection. so I have carb work to do. at any rate, my carb issues are unrelated to my hacking a chunk out of the carb to get to the mixture screw. goodness I'm long winded...oh well, have a nice day and ride safe.

[Ken Talbot]

For a stubborn idle mixture screw, you might have to use a fine diamond burr in a Dremel tool to very carefully cut a new slot. Be sure the screwdriver blade you use is also crisp and sharp so it doesn't slip in the new slot. When cutting the new slot, be especially careful not to cut into the threads in the body of the carbs.