950 LC8 poor cold idle

govdog76 · 07-18-2008, 07:32 AM

All,
I know that this is a topic which, in general, has been beat to death, but the search function did not reveal anyone who seemed to have my specific issue:

My LC8 has about 6K miles, and has always run flawlessly. Easy start, easy idle, no problems. In the last few weeks, it has become very difficult to keep running when cold, and stalls at idle even when "warm" (four temp bars, but not ridden far yet).

The engine turns over easily and fires right up, then burbbles for a moment and dies. It then fires right back up, and the cycle repeats, with the engine running fine for 10-15 seconds before dying again. Eventually, it gets 1-2 bars, and I can ride off, but it will still die at idle until good and hot. Once hot, runs just fine and does not die at idle.

I have not made any changes/done any work on the engine. The only thing that I did around the time problems started was accidentally pulled the choke lever open with my backpack loop while the bike was idling at warmup (this was on a warm day where no choke was needed). I don't knmow if this is related or not.

So- what say you? Fouled plugs? carbs need adjustment?

Any help/guidance appreciated.

Cheers!
Ian

PABiker · 07-18-2008, 07:35 AM

If you still have the cannister installed, pull the plug and the end of the drain line and see if anything comes out. Aluminum knurled plug at the end of a black hose on the right side of the bike behind the front exhaust pipe. Sounds like the cannister is flooded.

firebolter · 07-18-2008, 08:19 AM

Is the airfilter clean? A clogged up intake will do the same.......

govdog76 · 07-18-2008, 08:31 AM

Canister- Actually already checked that; no fuel present. Good idea though.

Air filter- Good thought. I will check that this weekend.

Appreciate the replies so far. Anyone else with an idea, please chime in!

Cheers
Ian

jamesbrown · 07-18-2008, 08:51 AM

So you haven't changed the oil recently? It's easy to pinch one of the tubes when reassembling the bike, resulting in poor tank venting etc. Is your idle showing ~1400 when warm?

cpmodem · 07-18-2008, 08:52 AM

Sounds like it could be a broken choke cable, from your description.

Ooobah-Moto · 07-18-2008, 09:58 AM

Check the carbs... floats (no higher or lower than 3mm) + idle control screw... did the trick for me.

07-18-2008, 07:32 AM	#1
govdog76 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Tar Heel Country Oddometer: 45	950 LC8 poor cold idle All, I know that this is a topic which, in general, has been beat to death, but the search function did not reveal anyone who seemed to have my specific issue: My LC8 has about 6K miles, and has always run flawlessly. Easy start, easy idle, no problems. In the last few weeks, it has become very difficult to keep running when cold, and stalls at idle even when "warm" (four temp bars, but not ridden far yet). The engine turns over easily and fires right up, then burbbles for a moment and dies. It then fires right back up, and the cycle repeats, with the engine running fine for 10-15 seconds before dying again. Eventually, it gets 1-2 bars, and I can ride off, but it will still die at idle until good and hot. Once hot, runs just fine and does not die at idle. I have not made any changes/done any work on the engine. The only thing that I did around the time problems started was accidentally pulled the choke lever open with my backpack loop while the bike was idling at warmup (this was on a warm day where no choke was needed). I don't knmow if this is related or not. So- what say you? Fouled plugs? carbs need adjustment? Any help/guidance appreciated. Cheers! Ian

07-18-2008, 07:35 AM	#2
PABiker Anywhere but here Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Oddometer: 3,668	If you still have the cannister installed, pull the plug and the end of the drain line and see if anything comes out. Aluminum knurled plug at the end of a black hose on the right side of the bike behind the front exhaust pipe. Sounds like the cannister is flooded. __________________ '06 KTM 950 Adventure '12 Suzuki DR650SE '10 Husaberg FE450 Plated

07-18-2008, 08:19 AM	#3
firebolter Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Annapolis Mary-Land Oddometer: 533	Is the airfilter clean? A clogged up intake will do the same....... __________________ 2011 BMW K1300S 2007 KTM 525 EXC 2010 Husky TE310 2006 Husky SM610 2011 Beta 300 2T Lim Ed+ 74 RL250 Suzi

07-18-2008, 08:52 AM	#6
cpmodem Orange Caveman Joined: Nov 2004 Location: masa yee yah tee 59° 14' 9" N / 135° 26' 42" W Oddometer: 7,098	Sounds like it could be a broken choke cable, from your description. __________________ -cp DISCLAIMER: All observations made in this post are mine and based solely on my own anecdotal experiences, and may contain large doses of facetiousness. YMMV, of course. You are "on your own", and I take no responsibility if someone tries anything in this post and gets into trouble with the law, damages their person or property, or goes blind. Take everything you read or hear "anywhere" butt especially on the Web with a large dose of salt.

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07-18-2008, 08:31 AM	#4
govdog76 ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Tar Heel Country Oddometer: 45	Canister- Actually already checked that; no fuel present. Good idea though. Air filter- Good thought. I will check that this weekend. Appreciate the replies so far. Anyone else with an idea, please chime in! Cheers Ian

07-18-2008, 08:51 AM	#5
jamesbrown Lefty tighty. Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Gone Oddometer: 6,413	So you haven't changed the oil recently? It's easy to pinch one of the tubes when reassembling the bike, resulting in poor tank venting etc. Is your idle showing ~1400 when warm?

07-18-2008, 09:58 AM	#7
Ooobah-Moto Banned Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto / London Oddometer: 3,809	Check the carbs... floats (no higher or lower than 3mm) + idle control screw... did the trick for me.