Bike wont start

iamdustin
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CA
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 1:00pm
I tried to start my dirtbike today so the same stuff wouldn't be sitting in the carb and the cylinder, but it wouldnt start i had the choke on and I literally spent 30 minutes trying to start it. I also took the spark plug out and dried it off, but it still wouldn't start. Its is also -10 outside, but i have the bike stored and my garage but it still is pretty cold. any tips?

Thanks, dustin
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mxb2
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1/20/2011 11:56am
Are you getting spark, if so , try a new plug? Lay the bike on its side almost the bars hitting the ground, some fuel should come out, sounds like you flooded it!
1/20/2011 12:01pm
may be flooded...turn off the gas, hold the hot start, and hold it wide open, and kick like hell.
iamdustin
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1/20/2011 12:48pm
I held it wide open and all i get is a little putter. but im wondering if its because the garages is so cold. Also I don't have a hot start
mxb2
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1/20/2011 12:51pm
Weather should nt prevent it from starting! sounds flooded, put a new plug in it, and find a friend to help you bump start it as a last resort!

The Shop

mxhideout
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Hermitage, TN, USA
1/20/2011 12:58pm
Like said above, try a new plug. But, before you put it in, squirt some gas down into the cylinder then try starting it. That works pretty much every time if the engine is in working order.
mx5471
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1/20/2011 2:20pm Edited Date/Time 1/20/2011 2:25pm
Tonite put a 60 watt lite bulb up close to the bottom of the case. Then drape a bed sheet over the bike being careful not to get the sheet too close to the bulb so you don't have a fire. Leave it all nite long and it will fire rite up tomorrow. Works every time when it's that cold.
1/20/2011 5:18pm
iamdustin wrote:
I held it wide open and all i get is a little putter. but im wondering if its because the garages is so cold. Also I...
I held it wide open and all i get is a little putter. but im wondering if its because the garages is so cold. Also I don't have a hot start
my mistake, I assumed you had a 4 stroke.
(slaps self upside head)
mx5471
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1/20/2011 5:50pm
The lite bulb works on 2 or 4 stroke bikes. In these cold climates,some people have engine heaters in their cars so they can start them in the morning. Gas doesn't atomize very well in below zero temps. There is nothing wrong with the bike. It's just too dam cold.
FIREfish148
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Kirkland, WA, USA
1/20/2011 8:39pm
How old is the gas? Gas can go bad in as little as 2 weeks sometimes.
iamdustin
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1/21/2011 8:13pm
I warmed the bike up with a light, the cylinder seemed pretty warm. But it still wont start, the bike usually would start 2nd or 3rd kick in the fall (cold start)
mxfreak144x
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Orange, CA, USA
1/22/2011 8:12am
well first off what kinda bike do you have?
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 8:41am
ktm 105 sx
SteveS
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1/22/2011 8:47am
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull the plug and it's wet with gas.

Also, make sure you have the choke on.
mxfreak144x
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1/22/2011 8:56am
check the carbourater make sure its clean and not blocked by gunk or anything
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 10:01am
SteveS wrote:
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull...
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull the plug and it's wet with gas.

Also, make sure you have the choke on.
Yes I have the choke on. How much is a new spark plug?
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 10:02am
check the carbourater make sure its clean and not blocked by gunk or anything
How would i check it? (like where would i open it up?)
SteveS
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1/22/2011 10:54am
SteveS wrote:
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull...
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull the plug and it's wet with gas.

Also, make sure you have the choke on.
iamdustin wrote:
Yes I have the choke on. How much is a new spark plug?
Not sure which NGK you need exactly, but it should be between $5 and $15.
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 11:16am
SteveS wrote:
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull...
When you have trouble starting a 2-stroke, a new plug will almost always fix it, especially if you've been trying and trying. Particularly if you pull the plug and it's wet with gas.

Also, make sure you have the choke on.
iamdustin wrote:
Yes I have the choke on. How much is a new spark plug?
SteveS wrote:
Not sure which NGK you need exactly, but it should be between $5 and $15.
Alright thanks! Is there a way to tell if the spark plug need to be replaced?
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 11:17am
I drained the fuel from the carb but still nothing. but i have had the same fuel in the bike for the past 2 months
1/22/2011 12:15pm
check the carbourater make sure its clean and not blocked by gunk or anything
iamdustin wrote:
How would i check it? (like where would i open it up?)
go to this link and put in your year/make/model of bike and then click on Carburetor on the left hand side. It will give you a breakdown of the carb. then search youtube for a "how to" video.
mxb2
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1/22/2011 12:28pm
Drain the fuel, put fresh fuel in, get a new plug in the bike! Check rocky mountain MC/ATV and you can type in your bike and it should have the bike specs, Also check the manual! If you plan on keeping the bike, get a manual. Its got some helpful info. Last resort bump start the bike.
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 2:31pm
link

my spark plug looks like number 2 in that photo. It says the cause could be a dirty airfilter, spark plug is to cold or my mixture is to rich. So should i just buy a new plug, or should i wait till the weather is warmer? I also use 1:40 furl mixture
mxb2
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1/22/2011 2:56pm
Clean the air filter if needed, replace the plug, weather will not prevent it from starting, maybe run a lil rough, 2 strokes need the proper plug and proper jetting to run really good! Manual? 40-1 mix is good, get some good quality oil !
iamdustin
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1/22/2011 3:16pm
mxb2 wrote:
Clean the air filter if needed, replace the plug, weather will not prevent it from starting, maybe run a lil rough, 2 strokes need the proper...
Clean the air filter if needed, replace the plug, weather will not prevent it from starting, maybe run a lil rough, 2 strokes need the proper plug and proper jetting to run really good! Manual? 40-1 mix is good, get some good quality oil !
Thanks, and yes I do have a manual, will the manual show me proper jetting and what do you mean by proper plug? I have Lucas 2 cycle oil, is that ok?
SteveS
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1/22/2011 3:46pm
Plug is fouled. Get a couple of new ones and change it. You should always have a couple of spare plugs.
1/22/2011 4:37pm
You probably have a small lake of fuel in the lower end by now from trying to start it, choke on, for 30 minutes.

Put a new plug in it, and try kicking it with NO choke, throttle wide open. It's going to take quite a few kicks to clean out enough to run. If it starts, do not go crazy trying to clean it out by revving it until the engine comes up to operating temp.

Trying to bump start it in -10 below weather could be tricky, especially on frozen ground.
mxb2
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1/22/2011 4:54pm Edited Date/Time 1/22/2011 4:57pm
Lucas 2 stroke oil is fine, The manual should have a list of what type of spark plugs to use! An old trick for 2 strokes lay the bike on its side with the fuel off, some fuel should come out , when it stops, put the bike and try to start it! Lay it till the grip almost touches the ground. If you don t have time to get a new plug, take the old one out and get a lighter and warm up thebottom til its dry! last resort! The manual should show standard jetting info, but that changes due to weather, aftermarket pipe etc! than if you get a new pipe the pipe company should have jetting specs for that pipe! If the rings are getting worn out it will be harder to start, If you have good compression kicking the bike over the rings should be good, You can bumpstart on a hard surface(non icy)sidewalk, side road etc, good luck!
captmoto
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1/23/2011 9:11am Edited Date/Time 1/23/2011 9:11am
deleted
iamdustin
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1/23/2011 12:39pm
I also took off the fuel on/off switch to drain some of the fuel how would i get the rest? I also drained the carb. And the premix is semi synthetic. I am also going to buy an air filter and an oil filter aswell as a few new spark plugs. Whats the difference between your standard air filter and a K & N MX XStream Air Filter, how much longer do they last? and do you have to put that stuff on them that makes the dirt stick?

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