Hard starting 78 Cyclone 440, Liquifire 440

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:58 pm

I have been searching through all the posts but I couldn't seem to find anything about hard to start sleds so forgive me if it has been addressed already.

About the only way I can get the two sleds to start is to remove the spark plugs and shoot the premix into the plug holes. Fires right up, but it usually takes three or four times of this to get them to continue running. After all that, both idle just fine. This is even if they have been running and shut down for just a couple of hours. This isn't right, and is a real pain in the A**. I would guess it is in the fuel delivery system somehow, but both of them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Randy

Post by **ICCSF 108** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 5:15 pm

Randy, I would say by what you are telling us that the choke/enrichener circuit is plugged or the choke/enrichener isn't properly adjusted..
Danzig had a post on his experiences with choke adjustments, see Kawi section "Choke lever setup" Nov 27th, I think this will help you set up you choke once you have all the small orifices clean...

Kenny

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:10 pm

Hey thanks. I found the post. Sounds like just the opposite of the problem but it is a good start to the troubleshooting.

Another problem with the Cyclone was that it would run like a bat out of hell, just awesome for about 10 minutes and then die. Wait about 2 or 3 minutes, full choke her and it would start again and run for about another 1 minute just great and then die, this went on and on and on. Got the carb off now and soaking in the cleaner. I am thinking it is running off the fuel in the float bowl until it uses that up and then dies. Need to do a complete gas line check and cleaning. Cheapest first fix anyway.

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:29 pm

Here is the girl.

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:29 pm

Replace the 2 fuel filters, 1 inside the tank and the external one. It sounds like they are clogged.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:06 pm

Just a thought, is the tank vent clear and functional?

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:11 am

I'll add that to the list of "check outs". Never thought of that one. Thanks!
Too bad it's flippin' dark out when I leave for work and dark when I get home. Never enough time for the fun things.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Randy

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:49 am

good looking sledcould be some other things aswell but lets see how it goes after a good carb cleaning. I here you about the daylight issues and time. One of the tests to see if you are a vintage sledder or not is you need to be able to rebuild a carburator in 1 degree weather at 10pm on the seat of the sled holding a flashlight in your mouth. Just some humor the flashlight is an option.

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:07 am

Oh I have been there and done that, complete with snotcicles hanging from my nose. The vodka in the glove compartment was even thick. The older I get the less tolerance I have for that crazy behavior. Over the weekend the coveralls got wet from all the test riding, stopped to work on it and they got so stiff I had to go in and change them out. Wasn't 1 degree but when you are wet it doesn't take much to ruin it for ya. Carb is all clean, and shiny beautiful. Hopefully tomorrow I can pick up some new fuel filters and get everything back in place. Snow is melting fast and if I tear up the yard there will be hell to pay from my wife, boss, chief financial officer, whatever you want to call the better half.

:wub:

MARK · Post by **MARK** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:38 pm

Before you install the carb back on the motor pull it over a few times and see if you are actualy pumping fuel from the fuel pump????? if not check fuel pump if thats ok make sure the fuel runs good from the tank to the fuel pump,..start with the easy stuff first!!

Mark.

rmreid · Post by **rmreid** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:07 am

I thought I would let you all know how things turned out with this problem. Disassembled the carb and soaked it clean, blew out all jets. Checked the in-tank filter.....oh boy, rotting hose pieces dissolving in the tank....filter not connected, jammed up with crud too, not that it was doing anything. Took the tank out and cleaned all the cruds out. Replaced the line in the tank, filter. Replaced inline filter and all gas lines with new. At that point I said what the heck and replaced the fuel pump with the right one. They had a dual on it and some brand that I have never heard of to boot. Put the right Mikuni on it for $20.00.
We had a nice snow last weekend so I was able to test everything out. Ran perfect, started on 1 or 2 pulls everytime, even at 6 degrees.

The Liquifire starting problem was due to a fouled plug. Super easy on that one. Both sleds are now running great. Thanks for all the advice and the willingness to share.

Much appreciation,
Randy