KDXRIDER.NET

Hi.
My '01 220 idle is too low, after riding in slow technical hill climb terrain. I have to turn the idle screw all the way in, to keep the bike from stalling at idle.

It idles fine with idle screw turned out, after I let it cool down.

What's going on?

It sounds like it's getting too hot. Is it pinging? Losing power?

From the description, it does sound as if you could have a heat issue. Have you checked the water pump and all? It's not unusual for me to fiddle with the idle screw a couple times during the day as the outside temp changes. I would not expect to have to change it much though, certainly not all the way in.

I didn't notice anything unusual except the idle. Powers up the hills just fine. I didn't feel any heat on my legs as I was riding.

Check your coolant level, and also your oil for a milky condition which would indicate a pump seal going bad. What conditions are you riding in (i.e.: high temps/humidity, etc) and is your bike properly jetted for those conditions before anything else. Might be worth checking that the impeller isn't freewheeling as well, since it does sound like a heat issue.

bufftester wrote:Check your coolant level, and also your oil for a milky condition which would indicate a pump seal going bad. What conditions are you riding in (i.e.: high temps/humidity, etc) and is your bike properly jetted for those conditions before anything else. Might be worth checking that the impeller isn't freewheeling as well, since it does sound like a heat issue.

BIke is jetted good. It runs very well. Idle problem has been going on for a while now, even when the weather was cooler and dry. Now it's hot and humid here.

How do I check the impeller?

I disconnected one of the water hose, and then started the bike. Water came gushing out like a fire hydrant, when the bike fired up. I guess that means the impeller of the water pump is working properly.

Check your spark plug.If your jetting was performed for cold dry weather and you are in hot hight humidity weather you are running on the rich side.

I figured out this is not a heat related issue. I was out riding all day long Saturday, following a slow newbie riding a slow bike. I was lugging my bike on 2nd gear all day. My bike idle fine...until I dropped it while trying to kick start on the bottom of a gulley. For next 15 minutes or so afterward, bike idle speed got too low and I had to blip the throttle if I use the clutch. After a while, problem went away, and I did not drop the bike anymore that day.

So, looks like somehow, the bike being on its side has something to do with it.

Take the carb off and give it a good clean bath, sounds like you have a sticking float or some gunk rattling around your low speed circuits.