225 dx will not start. HELP!

[tolowhb]

Hello guys, I ended up getting another 225dx this week and it was running great, anyways yesterday towrds the end of my ride it started to buck and kind of surge, and idle really rough. Well I figured maybe it was a bad plug so this afternoon I fired it again and it was still running very rough and would not idle. I chenged the plug and now it will not start! I even tried the old plug and NOTHING. It sounds like it is going to fire, but it wont. I pulled the carb off and hosed it with carb cleaner, drained the gas and checked the petcock and all are good. The trouble is I dont smell gas, like I figure I would if it were flooded. PLEASE HELP me I had a big ride planned for tomorrow,and to top it all off I only have a pull start so my hands are torn up now!

[Unclediezel]

sounds like its out of gas..................

It happens to the best of us.....

[Unclediezel]

ooops....................

Try it with the fuel cap off......if the vent is plugged it wont let the gas flow.

[edog]

Does the exguast smell like gas at the end of the muffler?

[tolowhb]

The exhaust tip doesnt smell like gas. And the tank is full of gas.

[scobydokevin]

i had that problem with my 125, i did a few things, i pressurized the gas tank, just blew into the breather hose, if that doesnt help, change the petcock setting to the other output, and try again. if this still doesnt help, rip out *Edited**Edited* carb and take it appart and clean it out real well with carb cleaner, and make sure to clean out all the breather tubes. then pull out the reeds and clean them to make sure they are not sticking. then put it back together and try that. im not sure if this is on *Edited**Edited* bike or not, but mine has a gas overflow pipe, make sure to empty that if u have one. that fixed mine, i hope this helps, and if u want, i would put some oil in the cilinder to make sure it has good compression. and if u want, u could take off the exhaust and clean that out to make sure it is not clogged. and when u try to start it, turn the idel down real far and pump the throttle, this all worked for me, and it sounds like u have the same problem as i did. i hope that fixes *Edited**Edited* problem.

Kevin

[tolowhb]

Heres my update, I pulled the exhaust and still no start. I did a compression test and my number was 140 psi, so that looks pretty good. I tried some starting fluid and it fire and ran for a few seconds, so I must just not be getting fuel?

[scobydokevin]

try cleaning out your fuel filter, just blow it out with an air compressor, and also blow air into your fuel line to see if the air gets to the tank, if not, the problem is in the line or petcock.

Kevin

[tolowhb]

Fuel flows great through the filter and petcock. Must be the carb then,huh?

[Unclediezel]

Sorry for being so "VAGUE" the last few days.......just alot of stuff going on...

Take the carb off the machine..... Turn it upside down and drain the fuel from it...Turn it right side up and blow into the fuel inlet........it should be easy to blow.....Then turn it upside down again--and blow ...it should be blocked....

HAve you taken the carb apart??????---

[tolowhb]

Man, this is getting to be soooo frustrating! I pulled the carb and tore it down and cleaned it up. Still nothing. I did the whole blowing into the fuel inlet and the air moved through fine I then flipped it upside down and the air would not move through.

[tolowhb]

One more note, I just remembered when I first bought the bike the guy had the vent from the carb hooked up directly to the gas tank vent. Could this have messed up my carb??? I just wanna ride really bad!

[Unclediezel]

Try it with the vents off-------- The carb is sealed and if the air cant get out, the gas cant get in.

[junkrider]

Take off the carb, disassemble again.

remove the bowl, remove the float, take out both jets (one is main, this is where the throttle needle seats; one is pilot).

Remove the air screw from the side of the carb body.

Spray the jets thoroughly with carb cleaner. Then blow out with compressed air. They should be completely clean, every hole should be clear.

Spray carb cleaner into all passages of the carb body. Blow out with compressed air. Do this twice or three times. Very important to get all the crud out.

Clean the varnish out of the bowl, the float needle and seat.

Sometimes I use a bent over pipe cleaner to carefully and gently scrub the seat. Blow out the passages again.

Reassemble the carb, make sure the float rests level with the body. The float should move freely, and if you use a gently push of air (mouth blown is sufficient), you can verify the float works properly by pressing gently on the float while blowing into the fuel inlet. Air should flow/no-flow by pressing the float. Doing this with the carb upside down and gravity should press the needle valve enough to stop a gentle push of air.

If this seems good, put the bowl back on, put the air screw back in (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 turns out from a gentle seating (all the way in VERY GENTLY) is usually a good start as a rule of thumb - this can be fine tuned at idle for a smooth idle).

Then, reinstall the carb, connect the hoses (blow out the vent hose to ensure it is clear), turn on the fuel and start your bike.

A few pointers---
mixture screw is only used at idle adjustment. Also known as PILOT screw.

If the bike is hard starting when cold, your pilot jet (idle jet) may be dirty or too small.

If the bike misses at speed, you may have dirty main jet or wrong size main jet.

Moving the jet needle is not such a good idea, unless you know what you are doing.

If the jets aren'ti stock, but the bike is, then you may want to revert to stock. It may have been setup for high altitude or something (maybe the previous owner had a pipe on it).

Always verify your jetting by checking your plug after running for a bit till its hot. Run fresh plugs for this.

If you have after market reeds or pipe, call the manufacturer to get recommended jetting.

ALWAYS RUN A FUEL FILTER. A little rust or sludge in the tank will result in repetitive cleanings. And that's no fun (trust me, I know).

Carbs are expensive, all wear items are replaceable by the dealer. Usually carbs don't go bad (exception... water can destroy a carb body). Most carb problems are fixable with a THOROUGH cleaning. Dirt on the inside is the culprit.

Don't over tighten and crack/strip the carb parts.

Don't over tighten the pilot screw. Then you'll be screwed. :)

Oh, and run a few filter. yes... Can't emphasize that enough. I use lawn mower filters or even car filters on some of my rides.


- junkrider (aka mike)

[junkrider]

Oh, and one more thing. If you try blowing compressed air back through the lines to the tank, take the cap off. You can ruin a tank or burst it with only 30 pounds of pressure.

Also, never blow compressed air into the fuel line of the carb unless the float and needle are removed. You can damage the carb that way.

[junkrider]

Oh, and running the carb vent to the tank vent is just plain stupidity. That seals the system. Run the tank vent to the tree, and the carb vent down below the swingarm.

I bought a chinese bike (yeah, dumb i know) for my kid. No tank vent. I had to modify the cap to put a tank vent on cuz it would die after driving about 15 minutes.

Actually it's a nifty little bike for $350. I had to lower it by chopping the rear suspension and shaving the seat foam, but it works well as a learner for a 7 year old. Shoulda got a pw-50 used though... :(

[tolowhb]

I think I may buy a new carb. Anyone know where I can get a decent price on one?

[tolowhb]

Well I am awaiting the arrival of a new carb (should be here any day) In the meantime I have been tinkering a bit. I pulled the plug and put some fuel down there and replaced the plug. I pulled it a few times and it fired and ran for a few seconds. All signs point to this being the carb wouldnt you agree?

[traxxasx]

Well I am awaiting the arrival of a new carb (should be here any day) In the meantime I have been tinkering a bit. I pulled the plug and put some fuel down there and replaced the plug. I pulled it a few times and it fired and ran for a few seconds. All signs point to this being the carb wouldnt you agree?


Yes, looks like you got it handled.

[tolowhb]

Well I got my new carb and put it on really quick. And she fired after a couple of pulls! It ran for a minute or two (had to hold the throttle down) I assume I must have to make some adjustments (air/fuel mix, and idle speed) Would this be correct? Also how do I adjust the air/fuel mix? And the idle is the screw with the spring on it, any tips for messing with that?