scratching my head on this one

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 11:05 pm May 12 2014

My sons KDX started running rich , I live in eastern wash . 800 foot above sea level .
145 main 45 pilot ,needle all the way down , black plug and some times fouling plug .
Droped the main to a 142 middle needle postion , clean air filter, new plug, black again.
Did not run right on the low end , moved needle down one notch, new plug wide open thru all 6 plug chop , black again .
checked float level , just right , pulled reed valves look good , checked float again still in the sweet spot useing a float level sight guage Kawasaki tool . Bike is running fine pulls hard on top and idle is fine ,any ideas???
Im a mechanic for work and been working on bikes all my life this one has me scratching !!!! starting to wonder if i double dosed my fuel can , Naah im not that stupid . By the way i also cleaned and repacked the turbin core, ooops almost forgot air box opened up , FMF pipe . If you have a idea please throw it my way , thanks , Jerry .

Gotanubike · Post by **Gotanubike** » 11:26 pm May 12 2014

Could be signs of a bad crank seal(s)

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 11:29 pm May 12 2014

Good call,Checked the oil by draining and it was 1 quart just like i put in it , yep your right , I forgot to add that part sorry .

Post by **SS109** » 02:23 am May 13 2014

Gotanubike wrote:Could be signs of a bad crank seal(s)

Yep, and it doesn't take but a very little bit to start killing plugs.

KarlP · Post by **KarlP** » 07:50 am May 13 2014

Sounds like a leaking jet block gasket

darb808 · Post by **darb808** » 03:47 pm May 13 2014

what year is it ? worn reeds run rich according to the jetting guide

ignore me if im way off just trying to help.

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 09:11 pm May 13 2014

2001 220 KDX ,Any washington guys on here , Wondering what your running for jetting?

JasonK94Z · Post by **JasonK94Z** » 09:55 am May 14 2014

Have to start with the pilot jet. How many turns out on the air screw are you with the 45 in there?

http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 105&t=1156

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 08:07 pm May 14 2014

3 turns

Gotanubike · Post by **Gotanubike** » 09:46 pm May 14 2014

That's as many as it should be, multiplied by 2! Default is 1.5 turns out

Post by **bufftester** » 10:00 pm May 14 2014

I'm running a hybrid with a 2001 220 motor. Stock pipe, Turbine Core 2Q SA. No other mods to it really and run from sea level to 5K (and a lot of time over in Mattawa in the 1-2k range). 145MJ, 42PJ, 1.25 turns out on AS at sea level/in the cold, usually around 1.75 turns higher/warmer. 3 Turns out would indicate you need a smaller PJ, which would lean it up.

If it was running fine before and just started running rich I'd have probably look at crank seals/top end (leak down test), you said reeds looked good (would have been my second suspect.

What, if anything has changed recently? Different fuel? Different oil? I know once I let my son mix the fuel and he dutifully went 32:1 like the manual states, even though we had jetted everything to 40:1. Took a whole tank of gas to figure that one out lol. What plug are you running? if a BR9 try a BR8, runs a bit hotter. Beyond that idk

JasonK94Z · Post by **JasonK94Z** » 08:20 am May 15 2014

jerry malbeck wrote:3 turns

Read the link I posted. Go down one size on the pilot.

Post by **fuzzy** » 10:05 am May 15 2014

I'd be inclined to go with KarlP's thought. Failing crank seals will make the engine go lean, many times to the point of destruction.

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 10:35 pm May 15 2014

Bought some pilot jets today , thanks for all the info , I am sure its going to be a pilot jet issue as its been running a little fat since we bought it . Ill keep you posted on the outcome , Gonna jet it with the help of Jasons outstanding post , Running a 8 plug, Thanks again, Jerry

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 08:55 pm May 18 2014

Went riding today after some changes , Still a little rich , went to a 140 main and a 40 pilot , Air screw out 1 1/2 turns and needle all the way down , seems to run great , The top end is pulling hard and the mid range is fine , no bog off the bottom . BUT still a little rich, I am suprised. Im going to go down one more size on main and pilot then mess with the needle . getting closer . thanks for the help , Jerry .

GS · Post by GS » 03:25 pm May 24 2014

Jerry,
Interesting, would you keep us posted at to what you wind up with for jetting?
Thanks,
Greg

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 10:07 pm May 25 2014

will do im still waiting for some smaller main jets but should have them this week , then ill let you all know what i come up with .

SteveKDXPalmer · Post by **SteveKDXPalmer** » 10:26 pm May 26 2014

Jerry,

Is this the air stryker carb? You will get it figured out regardless. Hope your not working too much. Steve

jerry malbeck · Post by **jerry malbeck** » 08:27 pm May 28 2014

No its the stock carb on my sons bike, Your bike is running fine . I tried the other carb you gave me but the float level is off or the needle is bad as it is pouring gas out the overflow , Just have not taken the time to mess with it . I will put it on Jareds 220 soon though .Working our butts off its farming time ya know LOL. Still waiting on jets , I had a friend tell me he would pick some up and im still waiting ,Life out in the middle of nowhere is sometimes frustrating BUT I love it !!!!

SteveKDXPalmer · Post by **SteveKDXPalmer** » 03:13 pm May 29 2014

Good to hear from you. You will get it worked out. Sorry I could not make the desert ride. The jets should help. Steve

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