Technical Discussion Topics related to Technical Issues

Cold engine difficult to start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-17-2010 | 03:34 PM
  #1  
Mikos_24's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
From: Woking, UK
Mikos_24 is on a distinguished road
Cold engine difficult to start

Hi,
I think that I went through all threats about starting cold engine issues but that did not help me.
I have problem to start engine only in a morning but after that during a day is fine. Even after work where bike is not used for 8 hours then it starts properly.
Battery has been changed recently, so it is not an issue but today morning for the first time new buttery run out of power because engine could not start. I had to wait 20 minutes and then it started.
Battery voltage is 13.5.

I did few things to fix problem, like: changing spark plugs, set proper gap in spark plugs. I have also checked charging system but results surprise me a bit. Charging voltage on idle engine speed was 14.5 but when I increased engine speed to 5000 rpm then charging voltage dropped to 13.2V. Thought, that charging should go up to max 15.5V. Spoke with local mechanic and he said that this is correct.
I also found that unplugged spark plug cap from spark plug has lots of little sparks on its side to the cylinder when engine was running.

Small thinks which probably does not matter:
1. Before winter I had to send my bike for service because it was noisy like diesel engine. It has been fixed but since that bike was not starting like it did before and it was getting worse and worse till now. Also choke cable does not work that smooth like it was before.
2. Before, engine was running nicely with full choke cable on (off course when engine was cold) and I had to close it ½ way through because revs were to high. Now, few seconds after when engine starts I had to set choke to ½ way through, otherwise revs were go down by itself and engine behave like it has too much fuel.

Please help

Last edited by Mikos_24; 03-17-2010 at 03:38 PM.
Old 03-18-2010 | 01:14 PM
  #2  
PUSHrod's Avatar
Senior Member
SuperSport
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 530
From: Central Fl.
PUSHrod is on a distinguished road
Pull the tank and airbox to check the routing and set of the circuit enrichers (chokes). Bubba Buttcrack down at the service bay isn't known for attention to detail. A kinked or misrouted cable would cause that.
Check that voltage level with a load on the system, the high-beam on for example. That's suggested in the shop manual and yes, the output should go up as the rpm's increase, 14.5 is plenty to charge the battery, much more will cook it. Book says 15.5 is the max, but sounds hot to me.
Old 03-18-2010 | 02:56 PM
  #3  
NCDave's Avatar
Senior Member
Superstock
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 344
From: Concord, NC
NCDave is on a distinguished road
mine has cold start problems due to the battery not being the proper size in terms of cold cranking amps (CCA). I believe the bike calls for 210 CCA and my battery is only rated for 180. Once I do get it started, I am good to run all day long starting and stopping. If I leave it sit overnight when it's cold weather out, I'll have the same problem getting it started in the morning. On warmer days, it's not a problem in the morning, and as long as I don't let it sit more than a week, it'll start. However, if it sits for 2 weeks, then I have problems again.

I know I need to up-size my battery, and ASSUME that will solve my hard starting problems. We'll see though.
Old 03-19-2010 | 03:16 AM
  #4  
Mikos_24's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
From: Woking, UK
Mikos_24 is on a distinguished road
Thanks for your responses. Looks that I will be busy in this weekend
I will make sure that choke cable and all cable circus are fine.
So, if voltage is not going up with rpm then what can be wrong and is it related to the starting engine problem?
Old 03-19-2010 | 06:18 AM
  #5  
NCDave's Avatar
Senior Member
Superstock
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 344
From: Concord, NC
NCDave is on a distinguished road
Check the regulator/rectifier. it controls the voltage flow back to the battery from the alternator. I don't recall if you mentioned you have replaced it, but the stock honda reg/rec is not one of their better components. If you do a search on the forum you'll find lots of good info on it, including a replacement from Yamahas.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rebirth98
General Discussion
21
10-10-2013 10:12 PM
babyhawk
Technical Discussion
16
02-12-2011 10:40 AM
wyldryce
Technical Discussion
5
06-25-2007 06:09 PM
BiggDaddyKool
Technical Discussion
9
05-11-2007 10:12 PM
Cheesedrug
General Discussion
23
12-22-2006 06:07 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:42 AM.


Top

© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.