RE: dies in idle

["Tim Philp" <tphilp@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

You might have water in the ignition. 

Tim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-virago@xxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:owner-virago@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Eugene Kramer
> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 6:56 PM
> To: 'virago@xxxxxxxxxxxx'
> Subject: dies in idle
> 
> 
> Hello,
> 
> Got myself a problem, with which I need some help.
> 
> After about 3-4 weeks of no riding, I finally got time, and 
> decided to change oil, give it a good wash, and ride. Went to 
> warm it up before the oil change and found that the engine 
> runs for about 2-3 seconds and dies. I noticed that the 
> neutral light flickers more than usual, when the engine is 
> working. Tried to jump it from my car. To my surprise, I 
> heard very distinct clicking from the fuel pump. I thought 
> that even if the battery was weak, it should have been enough 
> juice in it to drive the fuel pump. Still the same problem - 
> the bike starts, works for 2-3 seconds, and dies.
> 
> By that time, I figured, that I, probably, flooded the spark 
> plugs. Pulled them out - front one was wet, and both smelled 
> fresh gasoline. The cylinders inside seemed to be dry, so I 
> put a set of new plugs and tapped with a rubber mallet on the 
> carbs outside (no particular reason - just read in one of the 
> posts, that floats can be sticky, if sit for a long time). 
> Keeping my car connected, started the bike, and it started 
> fine. However, it agreed to stay running only with a choke at 
> 3/4 or so. Normally, I can close the choke completely in a 
> few seconds after the start.
> 
> So, I warmed it up, changed oil (put 40W single weight 
> following recent discussion on this list) and went riding. I 
> figured that the bike dies on low RPM, probably, because the 
> battery was still weak, and needs some charging. So I rode it 
> for about 40 minutes staying in the 4th gear more than I 
> usually do trying to keep the RPMs high to charge the 
> battery. However, even after that ride, the bike occasionally 
> would die at a stop sign. However, the longer I rode, the 
> more stable the bike seemed to be in idle. Normally, 40 
> minutes of riding, it stays running in neutral with very 
> confident and strong sound. This time, it felt like it barely 
> had enough spark / gas / what else? to stay running. Once I 
> start moving, everything is fine - the power is good, no 
> missing, backfire or anything else suspicious.
> 
> I'll pull out the battery today and trickle charge it over 
> night. Is there something else I need to pay attention to? 
> Did it become emotional because of 3-4 weeks of no riding?
> 
> It is '93 535.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Eugene.
> 
> PS> Sorry for a long description - I tried to include as many 
> details, 
> PS> as I
> could remember. 
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