Z1000 A2

[Kev1R]

All running perfect until recent oil & filter change and also coincided with a fuel tank refill - all of which could be pure coincidence.

When starting the bike it was running rough & noticed tickover was low at 800rpm even when the engine was fully warm - and then after a 25 mile run and a 1/2 hour break - had great difficulty restarting the bike and despite the engine still being hot I had to use the choke and keep the revs high to stop it stalling.
After a couple of miles it seemed to settle down and the choke was backed off completely.The bike did get me the 25 mile journey home but was still running rough and at one point I thought I noticed some smoke from the exhaust and also it sounded like it was 'pinking' under load.

I suspected carburetion and or fueling issues and maybe timing.
The A2 has one of those vacuum petrol taps which I am not a big fan of and I thought it might be an issue with that. In fact since replacing the (admittedly ropey) hose connections to the tap, the problems have not gone away.

Tried to start the bike today and noticed the bike is now smoking very badly! (Blue smoke) The bike virtually disappeared in the haze! - and during the 10 minutes or so I was trying to start her up - the carbs were leaking fuel about 1/2 pint of petrol on the deck!!
The bike coughed & spluttered but would not tick over and I gave up trying to start it as I was not sure if I am doing any damage.

I came across a previous thread where similar symptoms were caused by carbs leaking fuel into the crank case.
If this was so what is the best way to resolve? Carb clean & petrol tap kit??

Any thoughts on this?

[garyd]

You might have a some crap in the valve controled by the floats.
Try just removing the float bowls and blowing air aroind the juts and valves...it might be that simple.

[ted1r]

Just turn onto prime while starting that will help Kev. but dont leave it on prime .

Ted

[DavidZ1R]

I have had similar problems on my 550, the vacuum tap does not always close, allowing fuel to pass, I then put on a patten tap which worked fine till this weekend, had a 120 mile run out, and it pisses out from two carbs, the patten tap would not close at all !!! took it off yesterday and all I can say is the rubber disc had hardened, not closing, and the fuel bowl was full of gel!!

So put the old vacuum tap back on, with this time a hidden in line fuel tap, took of the carbs and cleaned them out, all sorts of gunk in the bowls, modern fuel I think. shite.

[Garn 1]

Kev, any fuel getting into your air box element?
Could have overfilled at oil change!
RegardZ.

[Kev1R]

Can't see anything excessive (no liquid fuel) in the air element box although it does smell of fuel as you would expect!

Don't have a lot of spare time to investigate at the moment so answers to questions might be slow coming back! In the meantime thanks to all for comments.

Apart from dirt getting in the carbs - when I get chance I am going to recheck the rubber hose connections to the carbs - In case I have a fuel / vacuum connection crossed over when I renewed them, in case this might cause the Fuel pouring out of the carb overflows?
Thanks again for any advice as I am really in the dark with this one.
I am hoping for a simple fix, otherwise SEP at Kegworth might be on the contact list!

[Pigford]

How old is the fuel More than a month or two may lead to problems

[Kev1R]

It is not old Fuel but I will be checking for muck in the float bowls.
In fact my prime suspect is now coils.

I have ordered new ones from Grumpy1260
Hopefully this will resolve.
Thanks for all advice


Probably all be sorted for Winter :(

Cheers
Kevin

[jimmock]

Guyz,

This issue of total shite fuel keeps coming up.

WHY are the fuel companies allowed to make this shite?

In the olden days (OK the 70's and 80's) petrol (if sealed) NEVER went off.

I've heard of carbs being completely junked after this shite goes off in them.

[kev edwards]

Guyz,

This issue of total shite fuel keeps coming up.

WHY are the fuel companies allowed to make this shite?

In the olden days (OK the 70's and 80's) petrol (if sealed) NEVER went off.

I've heard of carbs being completely junked after this shite goes off in them.

It's a green issue or so they say, call my a cynic but my theory says it's about making more money out of the motorist, less petrol in petrol = more breakdowns = more repairs =more manufacturing = more profit for the people at the top making up the bullshit about green issues.

[Kev1R]

In fairness to BP (where I last filled up) I don't think the fuel quality is the issue in this particular case.
Also, it is my understanding that the ethanol content (which seems to be the main bugbear), has been decided by European Directives.


Back to the issue --- I will post as & when I am up & running again !!

Cheers
Kevin

[Kev1R]

Slow progress on this but removed the coils today & found this



Looks like some kind of resin has found it's way to the outside of the coil - Is this feasible?
When I removed this gluey substance there did appear to be a small split in the casing - I am assuming this has 'leaked' from the inside

Anyhow new coils are in process of being fitted.

[Kev1R]

New coils fitted - not made any difference
(starter motor spins the engine bit no sign of life at all)

So far have:
New coils - ht leads
New spark plugs
checked points gap - cam chain tension
New air filter

I haven't changed the points backplate with the condensers - not sure if that is a likely problem area.

I am now turning attention to the fuel / carburettor side of things
Took the carb bowls off & there was a little sediment in the bottom of each one.
While the bowls are off is there anything else to check?

I will probably drain the fuel tank - I have a fuel tap refub kit to fit and this seems an opportune moment to fit it.
I am assuming if it is a carburettor blockage they will have to be removed for cleaning & there is no easy 'quick clean'?
Cheers

[Pigford]

New coils fitted - not made any difference
(starter motor spins the engine bit no sign of life at all)

So far have:
New coils - ht leads
New spark plugs
checked points gap - cam chain tension
New air filter

I haven't changed the points backplate with the condensers - not sure if that is a likely problem area.

I am now turning attention to the fuel / carburettor side of things
Took the carb bowls off & there was a little sediment in the bottom of each one.
While the bowls are off is there anything else to check?

I will probably drain the fuel tank - I have a fuel tap refub kit to fit and this seems an opportune moment to fit it.
I am assuming if it is a carburettor blockage they will have to be removed for cleaning & there is no easy 'quick clean'?
Cheers

Switching to FUEL SYSTEM...

Assume sparks are good & strong & a decent 12V to coils

[Kev1R]

Sparks are present!
Have held an unscrewed inner plug to the engine and also an outer plug in the same way (to test both new coils) - pressed the starter and sparks definintely present.

I have also double checked to ensure the new coils are wired in correctly, ie connected to the correct set of points.

Whereas before the engine was running rough - it is not showing any sign of life now- not even a splutter.
I think I have given it the kiss of death!!

I have not had the bike that long so I am at a slight disadvantage not knowing too much on the history - whats new and what's not.
I did wonder if there was a quick way to 'flush through the carbs' though as I have removed carbs in the past and found it abit of a faf!
As with these things I expect it will be something simple in the end

Electrically I know very little - for example does the stator assembly ever wear out?