clearing a flooded engine (dirtbike)

[EsPo]

just got a dirtbike, ttr-125.. and unfortunately we think that the engine is flooded because the kick start will not work. We figure its flooded because the bike was revved up when the choke was all the way up. So.. i come to AO for inspiration on clearing a flooded engine.. or if thats not whats wrong, someone care to explain what is?

[rhetor22]

Well you need to clarify "will not work" a bit more.

Is it just kicking over and not starting, or is the kickstart actually stuck, and not able to move?

If it was flooded, just keep kicking it without giving it any gas, and if it still will not pop over, pull the spark and check to see if its got gas in the cylinder. If not, try adding about a teaspoon of gas directly into the cylinder and see if it pops. If it doesn't pop over after that, check to make sure you have spark.


The plug might also be fouled.

[EsPo]

well.. its not working as in.. it makes a noise when i kick, but it wont start up no matter how hard or how much i do kick. in other words.. choice #1.. its kicking but not starting


will letting it sit for a while (overnight) "un flood" the engine.. or is that useless?

took spark plug out..and it smelled like gas a bit (if that helps any)

[-J�ker-]

when i flooded my old 50 cc bike back in the day i just let it sit for a while and it started workin fine

[ASDadam]

The spark plugs will always smell like gas. Try removing the plugs and try starting the engine and see if anything comes out. If its flooded that may help clear it out. If that doesn't work try doing the table spoon of gas or spraying starter fluid in intake.

[Nobody077]

Is the Bike new or used? If its used Change your plug and make shure its gaped correctly.
If you think you flooded it you can try shutting off the gas, remove the plug, and kick it over a few times to clear iny extra fuel from the motor. Then clean your plug, put it back in, turn the gas on and try again. You may want to let the bike cool all the way down before you re try. Next time dont rev the motor when it warming up, 4 strokes need to get the oil flowing good before you rev them hard, and reving it with the chock on will foul your plug.
Good Luck

[EsPo]

i searched online a bit.. and it seems like the "kick bike while spark plug is out" routine works the best among others.. i havent done it yet, because im worried where the gas will go.. will it come flying out all over me? if so.. ill have to go somewhere.. where i dont mind gas being all over the place.

anyway, ill grab a new spark plug tomorrow.. see how that works out.

[AFRaven]

If that still doesn't help, try unscrewing the drain plug on the bottom of the carburetor, spray some carb/choke cleaner into the carb. Then, screw the plug back in, and try to start her up. If that doesn't work, check the air cleaner, and make sure that is clean. If that doesn't work, I dunno what to tell you. Just tinker with it a bit if that all doesn't work, the worst that can happen is that you take the bike to a repair shop in several pieces.

[rhetor22]

don't worry about gas going all over the place.

Its only getting a small amount of gas in the cylinder, and its not gunna start with the plug out, so it'll only put gas in there maybe 3-4 times dependng on how hard you kick.

[Nobody077]

There shouldent be a lot of fuel in the cylinder, but yes it will spray out the sparkplug hole(more like mist out), But if your just going to let the bike sit then you shouldent need to do iny thing, the gas will evaporate after an hour or so, So just try again later and you should be fine.

[FalconGuy016]

Flooded engines will evaporate after a few hours

Edit: Sorry its in the post above

[EsPo]

its gotta be the spark plug...

ill try kicking with the plug out a bit more tomorrow, then put a new plug in there... HOPEfully ill be set after that.. if not.. ill cry

[Tunaman]

To check if it's getting spark, hold the plug wire close to the metal head and crank it over. If you see a spark then its either the plug or flooded. A quick shot of starting fluid in the air intake is sure to tell you which direction to go. Make sure the on/off switch is on and working.

[Star_Base_CGI]

Originally posted by Tunaman
To check if it's getting spark, hold the plug wire close to the metal head and crank it over. If you see a spark then its either the plug or flooded. A quick shot of starting fluid in the air intake is sure to tell you which direction to go. Make sure the on/off switch is on and working.

An even better way to do what tuna said, is to take the spark plug out and put it back on the wire. Hold the spark plug to the head.

Only hold the rubber spark plug wire. Do not hold antying metal on the spark plug.

Now when yuo kick it over the air in the cylender head will evacuate. If it is flooded this will get the gas out of the engine.

Now, You should see a spark in the gap. If you are holding the metal part of the spark plug you will get zapped.

If you do not see a spark than you need a new plug or you need to check the points.

If it still doesnt start you may have a bad carburator or bad compression. If so clean the carburator,

[MX Rat]

check the oil