XR200 Idling

[Bigbird]

We just bought a 98 XR200 for my daughter. It is in good shape, but it won't idle. When warmed up, it will idle with the choke on as smoothly as it should with the choke off. It runs well, however, when above idle. My impression is that it might be too lean to idle without the choke.

I am not knowledgeable concerning the type of carburetor that is on this bike, nor the emissions controls installed. I believe the idle enrichment screw is the one on the front of the float bowl which points down toward the gear cases. Is this the case, and can this be adjusted to enrich the idle mixture? Also, how does the emissions control device effect the idle controls?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[TWRT]

maybe look at power sports pro for a diagram of the carb. it may help.

powersportspro

go to the parts fish, register and find your bike. it can be very useful.

 

[Jonala]

Jim,

The screw that you described is the air adjustment screw. As I found with my 250, you may want to try a richer pilot (slow) jet. Going to a richer pilot jet made a world of difference. The CA bikes come jetted very lean.

 

[Bigbird]

Thanks for the replies. Jonala, I think your suggestion is the way to go. I'm headed down to the Honda shop for a new pilot jet tomorrow. Did you eliminate any of the emissions plumbing on your bike when you did the pilot?

Jim

 

[Jonala]

Jim,

On the 250, I didn't touch the emissions plumbing. I haven't read anything the on the emission plumbing being a problem. So is your daughter going to do the Sawmill?;)

 

[Bigbird]

Sawmill

Jonala, I don't think she's quite ready for a full enduro, but she has that as a goal. :) We'll be there though. Let's get together for camping again.

Jim

 

[TexKDX]

Most likely a plugged pilot jet. Pull the carb, pull the bowl, pull the pilot and main, and soak them in carb cleaner. Blow out with air (mouth will do) and re-install. The problem should be gone.

Also set the air screw to something "normal", like 1.5 turns out from full closed.

 

[ochster]

The screw in front of the float bowl, facing down, is a fuel screw. When turned out it richens, when turned in it leans.

 

[Jonala]

Oh boy, what I thought was a pilot jet is the pilot screw, and the pilot jet that I changed is called the slow jet.:silly:

From now on I only comment on things that I actually know something about, which is ???????:confused:

Sorry for any disinformation.

 

[ochster]

Pertaining to the labeling of the "slow jet", I have actually seen it refered to as the "pilot jet" in oem manuals. I'm not sure either one is incorrect.

A rule of thumb on weather the external screw is a fuel screw or air screw, is defined by it's location in relation to the slide. If it is in front of the slide (between the cylinder and carb), it's more than likely a fuel screw, wich regulates fuel via a tapered needle. If it is behind the slide (opposite side of carb than the cylinder), it's more than likely a air screw, wich also uses a tapered needle for regulation. Rich-lean adjustments are exactly opposite for each. Turned in on a fuel screw leans out, out richens. Turned in on a air screw richens, out leans. The brass tapered tip on the adjustment screws and rather small orfice on the carb, can be distorted or broke from bottoming to tight. You just want to gently bottom them out when referencing for screw position. If the carb casting become distorted, it's usually junk as far as being able to finely meter.

 

[Bigbird]

Thanks for the help. The pilot jet was indeed clogged. You couldn't even get air through it. Once I cleaned it, the bike idled perfectly.

 

[Jonala]

So jim, does this mean that you'll be riding red for the Sawmill?:p