Idle issues - Idle is different every time I start up.

[106]

I am constantly finding myself adjusting my idle speed. It is probably because I ride at different times of the day.. I work nightshift. So I am assuming the different idle is a cause of the difference in temperatures throughout the day/night.

I live in Sacramento, California and we've been getting about a 20 degrees F difference. Can that be the cause? I'll set it to 1500rpm at about 6pm when I head out to work. Then when I head back, it will be at about 1000rpm.

Edit: I ride a 2006 EX250

[fishdip]

Originally Posted by 106

I am constantly finding myself adjusting my idle speed. It is probably because I ride at different times of the day.. I work nightshift. So I am assuming the different idle is a cause of the difference in temperatures throughout the day/night.

I live in Sacramento, California and we've been getting about a 20 degrees F difference. Can that be the cause? I'll set it to 1500rpm at about 6pm when I head out to work. Then when I head back, it will be at about 1000rpm.

Edit: I ride a 2006 EX250

You need to set it once the bike if fully warm. also use the choke to get it to idle "hi" tell it warms up.

[106]

Originally Posted by fishdip

You need to set it once the bike if fully warm. also use the choke to get it to idle "hi" tell it warms up.

I forgot to mention that the idle speeds I mentioned are after the bike has fully warmed up.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by 106

I am constantly finding myself adjusting my idle speed. It is probably because I ride at different times of the day.. I work nightshift. So I am assuming the different idle is a cause of the difference in temperatures throughout the day/night.

I live in Sacramento, California and we've been getting about a 20 degrees F difference. Can that be the cause? I'll set it to 1500rpm at about 6pm when I head out to work. Then when I head back, it will be at about 1000rpm.

Edit: I ride a 2006 EX250

You may be getting some condensation forming in the tank if it's not close to full most of the time.

Add a strong fuel system cleaner now, or once a season. Chevron Techron Concentrate at 1oz per gal is my favorite.

You could also drain the floatbowls and see what comes out. Maybe there's sediment in there that occasionally is getting drawn up into the carb.

Have you adjusted your idle mixture screws to an optimum setting? 2 1/2 turns out is a good start. One way to do it is to adjust them to get the highest hot idle speed - then go slightly richer (1/8 out or so) to smooth the transition to the needles. When you are done adjust the idle speed (hot) to 1300.

[Ghostt]

I agree, running a good fuel cleaner/conditioner, Chevron is a great choice, or SEAFOAM.

Does it have fuel filter?, also check all vacuum lines, check for cracks, holes etc..... When in doubt, change them out. How's the air filter ?

Adjusting the pilot screws is easley done, just take your time, and be sure that ALL adjustments are done with the bike fully warmed up, if you don't do this, proper tuning is a complete waste of time.

Warm it up, turn 1 side pilot screw in until the rpms drop, then back out till RPM's peak (and no further)* Twist throttle...see how it reacts...tweak to taste.
Repeat on other side... test ride. You're looking for best throttle response and transition from just cracked to 1/4 throttle opening or so.*

Thats a quickie, 10 cent tutorial on setting pilot screws.**

While your in the neighborhood check the fuel petcock as well,


PETCOCK TEST
install a fuel hose from the petcock fuel outlet into a catch can. Pull the vacuum hose from the engine side. Leave it connected to the petcock.*

Now...petcock set to on.... fuel should NOT be flowing. Apply suction to the vacuum hose (which is connected to the petcock ONLY) ...fuel should now flow.*

Make sure the vacuum line doesn't have any pinholes or cracks!

[106]

Thanks guys, I'll start with the fuel cleaner and report back.

[alex.s]

i like to also send seafoam through an active vacuum line while the engine is running. like a brake booster line or the petcock pull line. this helps to get places that you simply can't get to by just putting it in the gas.