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The 2-Stroke Garage => Turning Wrenches => Topic started by: Karl squire on September 17, 2023, 07:49:02 AM

Title: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 17, 2023, 07:49:02 AM
First Sorry everyone for having so many threads, I cant figure out how to delete old threads, if someone can tell me how to delete I can delete all the other questions that have been answered

Anyway 73 RD350 with VM28 400 Carbs, everything from what I can tell is clean and nice, all the jets everything is good took them both apart again and double checked everything but seems like the carbs only get Gas if they are choked, there has to be a simple answer to this, a blocked vent maybe?

I start it, it runs good then gets boggy, turn the choke on starts to run good, turn the choke off continues to run good for a min or 2 or 3 then starts to bog again then turn the choke and so on. I was thinking maybe it was sucking air from the carb boot or reed block but wouldn't start to die as soon as I stopped choking it?






Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 17, 2023, 11:48:20 AM
i need to ask, when you rebuilt these carbs, did you us e a rebuild kit, and did you use the brass that was int he kit? if so, that might be part of the issue.
if its boggy (falls on its face) giving it throttle, (and this will contradict what i said earlier) thats a classic lean symptom on the needle. 

also, remember, vm28 rd400 carbs use a different float setting than the 350 carbs, they need to be 23mm-ish , not the 15 350 carbs use.  if the float level is way off, then this could explain a lot of the issues. .02

(users can not delete their own posts just fyi, no harm in having them here)

Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 17, 2023, 12:24:48 PM
All the parts are Mikuni parts, I'm pretty diligent about only using Mikuni parts and not other manufacture parts, if that is what you mean, however that been said, I should double check but 95 Percent positive they are all mikuni parts. I should double check the slides, they are 2.5, pretty certain that is what the Dave mod calls for.

Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 17, 2023, 12:34:49 PM
2.5 slide is fine on it.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: 1976RD400C on September 17, 2023, 03:06:55 PM
With the Dave F mod it should have a needle jet like the one on the right, has that been done? If the bogging is acting like you shut the key off, then try making it richer.

(https://i.ibb.co/NL1MgGH/20230917-145059-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MR8myJ3)
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 17, 2023, 03:18:21 PM
to the right.  should be a 169 p0 or 169 p2
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 17, 2023, 04:07:47 PM
fyi:  https://www.2strokeworld.net/wp-content/uploads/general-tech/tech-jetting/davefmod.pdf
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: RustyRD on September 17, 2023, 08:44:10 PM
check the entire fuel system, as in flow from the tank through the filters if any. there can be sneaky culprits such as a plugged vent in the gas cap. opening the tank to take a visual check of fuel close and after the air in the tank is not equalized flow starts to decrease and carbs starve for fuel. I purchased a replacement petcock on my rd and found  that it was a major restriction in flow to the carbs. Hard to trouble shoot when you get caught in the mind set, it can't be that I just replaced it.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 09:49:18 AM
Quote from: m in sc on September 17, 2023, 03:18:21 PMto the right.  should be a 169 p0 or 169 p2
The needle jet is  a 160 p0, The needle is a 5Dp7

Ok so first YOu all need to know I have a phobia of over tightening shit, frigg I have stripped more bolts and screws then I care to imagine, that been said.
the last time I took the carbs off Saturday to make sure the air jets were good, I remembered the float bowls had lots of gas in them, Sorry I didn't mention that soon my bad, I was thinking about Air jets. So the bowls are in fact getting gas.

With the above in mind I wanted to check 2 things this morning, I started the bike, checking for air leaks (remember my phobia) I started the bike and held an unlit torch to the engine, I could not find any specific air leaks but when I held the torch to the mouth of the carb the RPM's picked up, confirming lack of Gas, so to me that means I'm sucking air somewhere, I waited only a min or so and the bike stalled (fuel starvation) and I took the carbs off to confirm the bowls were full and yes they are full of fuel. So maybe you can chime in on this, it seems like I'm sucking air. I tightened the read blocks and the fuel bowls as I think they need to be air tight as well and when I install the carbs again I"ll make sure they are tight. I also confirmed the slides were Mikuni's. Feel free anyone to offer your thoughts
Thanks again everyone I appreciate you time and thoughts.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 10:03:05 AM
should be fine there then. I've probably done 10-15 dave f mods, and done them on 400 carbs on a 350, so you should be ok.

since its idling, the pilot jet is the 'highest' in the fuel system so float level 'should' be ok.

id start at 1.5 out on the airscrews, and set the needle in the middle. fire it up, and warm it up. get it to idle, and adjust the air screws IN until the idle starts to just drop, then lean it back out 1/8 turn. thats a good place to start.

if it falls on its face giving it throttle over 1/8~1/4 up to 1/2 throttle, it usually indicates lean on the needle.

go richer until it revs cleanely . if it burbles and sounds fat, go leaner.

the main can only be set after riding it, but that's mostly going to be 3/4-and up throttle.

*note none of this mentions rpm, its all about what the motor does at certain throttle positions.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 10:05:17 AM
Quote from: RustyRD on September 17, 2023, 08:44:10 PMcheck the entire fuel system, as in flow from the tank through the filters if any. there can be sneaky culprits such as a plugged vent in the gas cap. opening the tank to take a visual check of fuel close and after the air in the tank is not equalized flow starts to decrease and carbs starve for fuel. I purchased a replacement petcock on my rd and found  that it was a major restriction in flow to the carbs. Hard to trouble shoot when you get caught in the mind set, it can't be that I just replaced it.
Thanks, so I also have a leaky fuel tap, what did you end up doing to resolve your fuel tap problem?. Also my fuel tap is not the problem of this thread as it is doing the same thing with the gas tank and a feul bladder but I'd like to know what you used to fix the fuel tap problem?.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 10:07:28 AM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 10:03:05 AMshould be fine there then. I've probably done 10-15 dave f mods, and done them on 400 carbs on a 350, so you should be ok.

since its idling, the pilot jet is the 'highest' in the fuel system so float level 'should' be ok.

id start at 1.5 out on the airscrews, and set the needle in the middle. fire it up, and warm it up. get it to idle, and adjust the air screws IN until the idle starts to just drop, then lean it back out 1/8 turn. thats a good place to start.

if it falls on its face giving it throttle over 1/8~1/4 up to 1/2 throttle, it usually indicates lean on the needle.

go richer until it revs cleanely . if it burbles and sounds fat, go leaner.

the main can only be set after riding it, but that's mostly going to be 3/4-and up throttle.

*note none of this mentions rpm, its all about what the motor does at certain throttle positions.
Thank you for the advice, honestly I really appreciate everyone one pitching in with their help.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 11:57:46 AM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 10:03:05 AMshould be fine there then. I've probably done 10-15 dave f mods, and done them on 400 carbs on a 350, so you should be ok.

since its idling, the pilot jet is the 'highest' in the fuel system so float level 'should' be ok.

id start at 1.5 out on the airscrews, and set the needle in the middle. fire it up, and warm it up. get it to idle, and adjust the air screws IN until the idle starts to just drop, then lean it back out 1/8 turn. thats a good place to start.

if it falls on its face giving it throttle over 1/8~1/4 up to 1/2 throttle, it usually indicates lean on the needle.

go richer until it revs cleanely . if it burbles and sounds fat, go leaner.

the main can only be set after riding it, but that's mostly going to be 3/4-and up throttle.

*note none of this mentions rpm, its all about what the motor does at certain throttle positions.
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 10:03:05 AMSo Seems you and everyone has been a victim of my phobia of tightening things to Tight, I tightened everything up its running as it should as fare as I can tell, so my apologies to everyone that has taken the time to read and contribute to my thread.
should be fine there then. I've probably done 10-15 dave f mods, and done them on 400 carbs on a 350, so you should be ok.

since its idling, the pilot jet is the 'highest' in the fuel system so float level 'should' be ok.

id start at 1.5 out on the airscrews, and set the needle in the middle. fire it up, and warm it up. get it to idle, and adjust the air screws IN until the idle starts to just drop, then lean it back out 1/8 turn. thats a good place to start.

if it falls on its face giving it throttle over 1/8~1/4 up to 1/2 throttle, it usually indicates lean on the needle.

go richer until it revs cleanely . if it burbles and sounds fat, go leaner.

the main can only be set after riding it, but that's mostly going to be 3/4-and up throttle.

*note none of this mentions rpm, its all about what the motor does at certain throttle positions.

Ok its running much better I needed to tighten everything up so it was not sucking air.
That been said, the Air screw as you mentioned above. I had it at 1.5 turns when I set the idle and synced the carbs, but when I blurp the throttle, bog, I tuned them in, idle picked and I went all the way in running much better maybe not the way it should but I could blurp the throttle as soon as I turned them out 1/2 a turn and when I blurp with the  Air Screw 1/2 turn, Bog, just tiny blurps bog. Pilots 27.5, if I'm not mistaken that would be a sign that the pilots are too small?
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 12:01:02 PM
exactly. id jump up to a 32.5 or a 30.

Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 12:18:51 PM
I think I'll run out to Winner Circle now and pick up a set of 30's, I dint think 32.5's would be necesarry but its a 35 min drive, might as well save my self a trip just in case. Thank you and I'll definitly keep this thread updated. Cheers.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 03:19:49 PM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 12:01:02 PMexactly. id jump up to a 32.5 or a 30.



Got some more Pilots, I'm at 30 1/2 turn out, leave it or go bigger, I cant remember what Mikuni says if it was 1/2 or less or 1/4 or less go bigger

Additional info, not much if any difference between 1/2 and fully closed.

I was just reading Mikuni's docs on Pilot jets, so basically it says find the peek rpm and then enrichen it 1/4 turn, this would mean I'm running at 1/4 turn out, Pilot too small?.       
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 03:50:25 PM
you can actually go up to 3 turns out, and as low as 1 in on recommended by mikuni. remember, its an air feed screw.  the reason you want at -least- 1 out and under 3 max (ideally.. aim for 1.5) is to keep circuit velocity ideal. yes, pilot prob too small.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 05:07:06 PM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 03:50:25 PMyou can actually go up to 3 turns out, and as low as 1 in on recommended by mikuni. remember, its an air feed screw.  the reason you want at -least- 1 out and under 3 max (ideally.. aim for 1.5) is to keep circuit velocity ideal. yes, pilot prob too small.
So with the 32.5, and I'm doing this with one plug pulled, this is what mikuni said to do, so with the 32.5, I'm at 3/4 turn out to get my highest RPM and they said once you get your highest RPM turn it in 1/4, seems with half a turn out or 3/4 depending on how you look at it, this seems to indicate too small still but for an RD350 with standard porting but JL pipes and Y boot a 32.5 should be big enough, no?. Also with the 32.5 it slows when its turned all the way in and reaches its highest RPM at 1/2 to 3/4 turn if I go beyond that the rpms do not change, does that make sense., I'm trying to figure out what that is telling me, could that be saying?
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 05:22:04 PM
its runnable at that point. it wants a 35 for some reason but you can def work w that 32.5. I know chuck used to like to run 37.5s and 40s in his bikes, but the motor doesnt lie. give it what it wants.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: RustyRD on September 18, 2023, 05:23:57 PM
Karl, I ended up replacing it with a Pingel valve. be thorough in your process of troubleshooting.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 07:20:52 PM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 05:22:04 PMits runnable at that point. it wants a 35 for some reason but you can def work w that 32.5. I know chuck used to like to run 37.5s and 40s in his bikes, but the motor doesn't lie. give it what it wants.
So you think its possible it wants bigger Pilots, wow I didn't think any 350 would want bigger, do you think its possible its sucking air somewhere?    I also  have Read blocks in it they are spacers to make the intake longer, apparently better performance, would that cause it to want bigger pilots ?

1 hr after the above post edit
took everything off, Reed blocks, reads, cleaned everything spotless, made sure there was no question about a seal, started up, it sounds good, will go out and pick up a set of 35 pilots tomorrow and try them out, I would like to have it so the air screws are at least one full turn out. I'll let you know tomrrow how it goes. Thanks again for your help.

Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 18, 2023, 07:23:13 PM
Quote from: RustyRD on September 18, 2023, 05:23:57 PMKarl, I ended up replacing it with a Pingel valve. be thorough in your process of troubleshooting.
Thanks buddy. cheers
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 19, 2023, 02:45:56 PM
Quote from: m in sc on September 18, 2023, 05:22:04 PMits runnable at that point. it wants a 35 for some reason but you can def work w that 32.5. I know chuck used to like to run 37.5s and 40s in his bikes, but the motor doesnt lie. give it what it wants.

I'm happy to say this is the end of this thread, Pilots are 30's Air screw 1 turn out. Thanks  M IN SC for your thoughts and help with this and everyone else who contributed to this. Cheers.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: m in sc on September 19, 2023, 02:49:09 PM
sweet. so it revs out ok now? good news indeed.
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: Karl squire on September 19, 2023, 06:30:00 PM
Quote from: m in sc on September 19, 2023, 02:49:09 PMsweet. so it revs out ok now? good news indeed.
ya seems good
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: RustyRD on September 19, 2023, 08:38:29 PM
congrats on getting to this point, this is the Best forum. No BS just honest input about real life experience. :whoop:  :whoop:
Title: Re: Carbs only get Gas when the choke is on
Post by: kramdua on September 20, 2023, 07:33:37 AM
yes never give up and keep relying on the 2 stroke world community to help you out.