Open letter to visitors/lurkers

[ARCHIVE_SteveS]

Won't Start Any Ideas

I have a ZL900 which ran fine 3 days ago when I parked it. Last night I got it out to go for a ride and it wouldn't start. The battery is good and it does turn over. It is getting fuel and there is spark in all four cylinders. I also did a compression test on 1 and 4 and that was OK. There is an occasional back fire while trying to start but that is it. This really has me puzzled, if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thanks
Steve

 

[ARCHIVE_zlMark]

If your testing for spark without using an inline spark tester then you may be getting a false reading. Waste spark ignition requires a complete path back to the coil by using the other plug and wire on that coil.

 

[ARCHIVE_rammy1500]

You try a little starting fluid in the cylinders? Normally I'd say one of the switches is keeping it from starting but not if your getting a spark.

 

[ARCHIVE_SteveS]

I think the problem was a leaking petcock. When I had the tank off I noticed on "ON" with no vacum it still had a small flow. I cleaned the plugs and left them out for any fuel to evaporate. No matter what I tried it wouldn't run. I bought new spark plugs and it fired right up. I guess it's time for a petcock kit. Thanks for the replies.

 

[ARCHIVE_zlMark]

Check to make sure your oil level isn't rising, meaning leaking float valves as well.

 

[ARCHIVE_rammy1500]

I've read that if you want to clean the old plugs take a blow torch and heat them up to burn off the fuel and any carbon. I guess you could take a vaccuum tester and test the petcock. That way you know its the petcock versus the floats in the carb.

 

[lowlife]

Been noticing that there are quite a few visitors/lurkers on this site lately, hey if your here you may as well join, if you own a zl well then you really need to join. If you don't own one I suspect you have seen one and are thinking, "I need one of those things they look fast just sitting there"., Membership has grown by 15% since i joined which was roughly 6 weeks ago. I am a member of a few different forums, karts, firearms, cars, bikes, etc and this is one of the friendliest ones I have found, there are and will be some disagreements but hey life would suck if everyone thought like me,( might be a far scarier world too).

just letting you know that you are welcome here, stay and look around!

 

[CHRIS]

i agree !

join us ! if you are visiting our site, you probobly are a motorcyclist yourself ! i promise you, you will not find a better group of people to chat with, ask questions, get tech. tips than rite here ! so, join us, & share some of your stories with us ! thanks for visiting ! CHRIS