4XV R1 not running
Discussion
My 4XV R1 has stood for quite a while, maybe a year. Time to sell now, so I went to get it running and MOTd.
Unfortunately it won't run properly at all. Before I laid it up I turned the fuel off and ran it dry, thinking that would prevent the carbs from gumming up. I drained the tank of the old stale fuel and put fresh E5 in, but whilst it will start on choke, it will only tick over, and if you try to rev it it dies immediately, even after it's warmed up. On top of that it's only running on 3 cylinders. I checked the drain on the carb on the non-firing cylinder and it's getting fuel, so the float is not stuck.
I guess my next step is to strip the carbs out and ultrasonically clean them, but given I want shot of the bike I want to do as little as possible! So I just wanted to check that there isn't anything else obvious that I should be looking at first?
Also, rather worryingly, I tried to remove the plug from the non-running cylinder and it's tighter than a tight thing. I've never had the plugs out myself. Once I'd cracked the thread, it was still VERY stiff, so after about 3/4 of a turn I baled out of that idea for the time being; last thing I want is a stripped thread.
All a bit annoying, my intention was just to bung it through an MOT, change the oil, and list it. All suggestions welcome, but if it all gets too involved it'll be going up for auction as a non-runner
Unfortunately it won't run properly at all. Before I laid it up I turned the fuel off and ran it dry, thinking that would prevent the carbs from gumming up. I drained the tank of the old stale fuel and put fresh E5 in, but whilst it will start on choke, it will only tick over, and if you try to rev it it dies immediately, even after it's warmed up. On top of that it's only running on 3 cylinders. I checked the drain on the carb on the non-firing cylinder and it's getting fuel, so the float is not stuck.
I guess my next step is to strip the carbs out and ultrasonically clean them, but given I want shot of the bike I want to do as little as possible! So I just wanted to check that there isn't anything else obvious that I should be looking at first?
Also, rather worryingly, I tried to remove the plug from the non-running cylinder and it's tighter than a tight thing. I've never had the plugs out myself. Once I'd cracked the thread, it was still VERY stiff, so after about 3/4 of a turn I baled out of that idea for the time being; last thing I want is a stripped thread.
All a bit annoying, my intention was just to bung it through an MOT, change the oil, and list it. All suggestions welcome, but if it all gets too involved it'll be going up for auction as a non-runner
I know nothing of R1s, but as it's a carb' bike it may well be gummed up from sitting. If you are lucky, you may get away with running some form of carb' cleaner through it. Best to check individual makes as some work differently to others. I've had a similar problem with an old Triumph - carb' cleaner sprayed through the air filters, and through the carb' bodies after removing a couple of adjustment screws sorted that one. Best of luck.
Ultrasonic cleaning is Ok but get yourself some carb jet picks/brushes to properly clean them out with.
based on the symptoms, you've got residue blocking the jets or carb galleries and ultrasonic cleaning isn't always the best for moving bigger obstructions. Run the orifices through with jet cleaners then into the ultrasonic bath and you'll be set.
based on the symptoms, you've got residue blocking the jets or carb galleries and ultrasonic cleaning isn't always the best for moving bigger obstructions. Run the orifices through with jet cleaners then into the ultrasonic bath and you'll be set.
If you're willing to take a chance...
My father was a classic car dealer and had this problem on a regular basis
His cure was to drain the fuel and put a litre of DIY carb cleaner in the tank, run it for a few minutes then let it sit in the carb for five minutes then try running it again
His recipe was equal parts of: petrol, cellulose thinners, acetone, ATF, kerosene
It worked the majority of the time
I wouldn't let it soak for hours as it's quite aggressive
I suspect the cellulose thinners (which is a mix of toluene, xylene etc) or acetone would do most of the job by themselves if you don't have this stuff lying around
Or just do similar with carb / injector cleaner
My father was a classic car dealer and had this problem on a regular basis
His cure was to drain the fuel and put a litre of DIY carb cleaner in the tank, run it for a few minutes then let it sit in the carb for five minutes then try running it again
His recipe was equal parts of: petrol, cellulose thinners, acetone, ATF, kerosene
It worked the majority of the time
I wouldn't let it soak for hours as it's quite aggressive
I suspect the cellulose thinners (which is a mix of toluene, xylene etc) or acetone would do most of the job by themselves if you don't have this stuff lying around
Or just do similar with carb / injector cleaner
R1s ( like many other carbed bikes ) inc XL600s are very prone to this - ask me how I know - my 98 keeps suffering from blocking of its left carb. You need to strip and clean them thoroughly.
Make sure you fit a new fuel filter, for some reason they are seldom changed on these bikes.
As for the plug, spray some Plus Gas down the plug hole and leave it to soak for a day.
Make sure you fit a new fuel filter, for some reason they are seldom changed on these bikes.
As for the plug, spray some Plus Gas down the plug hole and leave it to soak for a day.
Thanks again for the above (KTM, I might pass on that one, I want to sell the bike, not give it a Viking funeral 
)
Actually the only bike I have ever had with similar issues before was a 600 SRAD, but that always cleared up with a drain and fresh fuel.
Have got a set of cleaning needles etc so that's me set for the weekend. I just need to see whether I can get Amazon Prime to deliver any enthusiasm on a next-day basis!
)Actually the only bike I have ever had with similar issues before was a 600 SRAD, but that always cleared up with a drain and fresh fuel.
Have got a set of cleaning needles etc so that's me set for the weekend. I just need to see whether I can get Amazon Prime to deliver any enthusiasm on a next-day basis!
Update time: stripped the carbs out and found all 4 pilot jets completely blocked, so a combination of a soak in thinners and a bath in the ultrasonic cleared those out. Cleaned all the other jets at the same time, they were manky but not blocked. Put it all back together annnnnnd.....it still runs like a sack of s***. Revs to about 5k but won't go beyond, even when warm, and seems to randomly drop to running on 3 then picks up again. I've done the old water squirt on the headers trick, all 4 are hot but I still think it's no 4 which is not firing properly. I soaked the plug with penetrating oil but when you turn it with a socket, it feels so tight that I'm almost certain that either someone has mullered it it with a rattle gun, or crossed the thread, so I'm not going near that.
Enthusiasm and interest level for this is at zero, so it's going to go up for spares or repair and see what it fetches. There are no 4XVs on eBay under £2k, even ones with issues, and this owes me less than that anyway.
Enthusiasm and interest level for this is at zero, so it's going to go up for spares or repair and see what it fetches. There are no 4XVs on eBay under £2k, even ones with issues, and this owes me less than that anyway.
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