Inconsistent idling

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220ripper
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Inconsistent idling

Post by 220ripper »

Hey guys,

New to the forum, looking for some advice on an idling issue. Recently purchased a 97 kdx 220 and have been on a few rides (love this bike to pieces).
lately I've noticed some issues starting with an inconsistent idle where it will stall out if not kept on the throttle, and now when its been running for about 2-3 minutes of idling (when the engine is good and juicy) it starts idling faster and faster to the point where I have to cut off the engine for fear that it's going to explode on me.

Any ideas of what could be causing this ?

thanks
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rbates9
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Post by rbates9 »

First I would clean the carb completely and then make sure that ALL of the intake is tight. if not then you probably have a air leak at the crank seals or some point in the intake after the carb.
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Post by kdxmaniac »

do as rbates9 says..........you are leaning out, and theirs always a reason
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Post by fuzzy »

Check exhaust seal as well.
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Post by Budget_89KDX »

What does it mean when an engine is "juicy"?
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220ripper
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Post by 220ripper »

Thanks guys, will check all these things and report back. Juicy is when an engine is good and warm and all the fluids are ready to go. :roll:
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Post by 220ripper »

I've cleaned the carb, retightened the air intake. And I checked the crank seals. . Everything looks good so far. Cleaned the air filter, changed the plug, and put in new gas.

it is still ramping up the RPM's when the engine heats up after about 2 -3 minutes of idling. When I let the bike just idle when it continues to ramp up the rpm it goes up to about 6000rpm for about 10 seconds and then the rpm's drop off suddlenly and the engine dies. . .

I'm not really sure what else could cause this. .
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Indawoods
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Post by Indawoods »

Float level? Clogged jets?
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

sounds like it is running out of gas
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Post by rumrunner »

My guess would be the float level also....keep us posted
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Post by KarlP »

........after about 2 -3 minutes of idling. When I let the bike just idle.......
Well, don't do that. Go ride!

It sounds like a sticky float or float valve. Or the angle when the bike is idling and on the side stand? I'd guess that when riding the vibrations keep the float and valve moving.

How about you get it in that condition and rap on the carb with a screwdriver handle a couple of times.
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Post by rbates9 »

It might also help to put on a clear fuel line so you can see if the gas is moving or not.
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Post by 220ripper »

Went to kick the bike on today before getting started on working on it and it won't kick over. . . . is this a related issue or entirely different one?
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

could be

could be seized up
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Post by Coop »

Do you mean the kicker won't even move, or it just won't start?
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Post by fuzzy »

Could've been flat wore out. Will cause these symptoms. Next thing I was going to say was check compression.

Also said to check the exhaust. A header leak on a 2-cycle is VERY bad. it will act like an intake leak, cause a lean condition, and burn the exhaust side of your piston. Leak at the stinger no big deal. Leak 2" from piston, BAD....However may cause no damage until bike is 'on the pipe' RPM/load wise.
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Post by 220ripper »

I found out that the Carb was missing a clamp where it meets with the engine and there was air slipping in to the fuel mix there. Got the clamp on and now the idling does not ramp up through the roof. It has however gone the other way and has difficulty idling and stalls out after about a minute of idling.
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Post by Indawoods »

Clogged pilot jet...
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Post by KarlP »

It has however gone the other way and has difficulty idling and stalls out after about a minute of idling.
I would not be too concerned about that. If the jetting was spot on it would idle all day. Why would you want it to? If the jetting is just a bit off it will not idle for long

These aren't meant to idle for long, they are meant to be ridden
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Post by 220ripper »

Figured the clamp at the front of the Carb had fixed things up for the idling so took it for a quick ride yesterday. . was ripping around for about 1 hour, and noticed a few things

bike does not idle at all when it is warm and been riding
when dropped into 1st or 2nd the bike nearly chokes out or does choke out
experiencing some serious power loss across all gears especially the lower gears

got the bike back home and all the oil has burned off or leaked out somewhere. .. . thats a lot of oil though. .

are all these issues somewhat related or is my bike falling apart one piece at a time?
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