Help required - engine splutters

(1982 XJ650RJ Engined Trike)

Hi guys,

I'm in need of some help here! I've run out of ideas!
I've just cleaned my carbs by using Rick's guide (excellent piece), after replacing the carbs, new spark plugs. Did a colour tune and all looked well. The carbs adjusted as they should but engine still sounded slightly "lumpy". Both 2 & 3 cylinders had slightly weak sparks. Went out for a test ride this evening and engine splutters through all rev ranges. I pulled the plugs when I got back, 1 & 4 very sooted up, 2 & 3 soot around the end of the threads and the ceramic insulators were spotless.

Now this sounds to me like a fault on the coil that powers 2 & 3 so I changed the coil for a brand new one. Took the trike out again, still spluttering but could get to 65mph fairly easily, (it just didn't feel right - if that makes sense!) . When I got back, I pulled the plugs and there was no change from above description.

I'm now leaning towards maybe the pickup coil that picks up for 2 & 3. I checked the pickup coils, am I supposed to have a gap of .3mm between pickup coil surface and the rotor?

The engine idles ok, a bit lumpy. If you rest it for 30 mins, start her up and away we go for about 3 minutes then it's back as it was :x

If anyone has any ideas I would love to know a solution (the most inexpensive solution would be best!).

Cheers in advance
Lea

 

Re: Help required Please

Did you check the float levels? Did you vacuum sync the carbs (throttle shafts)?
Checked for vacuum leaks?
All fittings tight?
Have you used a multimeter to check the pickups and coils?

 

Re: Help required Please

Clean everything ignition related:

Burnish-up Rotor face with ScotchBrite Pad.
Clean ignition pick-ups with Electronic's Parts Spray and Q-tips.
Check that everything's clean, tight and connected.
DO all connections on harness and plug-in's.

Run Bike and check.
Run Bike on Ignitor Box known to be good. Compare.

 

Re: Help required Please

Link, now so I can get this right...#1 & #4 plugs are sooty on the electrode?

And 2 & 3 are clean?
Then that would indicate that those cylinders (2&3) probably arent the offending cylinders!?

If # 1& 4 had weak looking spark then I'd be inclined to say ignition,
but since you said 2&3 looked weak...well then I'd have to lean toward the carbs and float level.

Again you need to sync the carbs, then you need to rerun the color tune.

If the colortune says that the cylinders are not rich at an idle then maybe there is a jet problem?!

GOOD LUCK

 

Re: Help required Please

You might even look into the plug wires and connectors

But if I'm not mistaken here #1&#3 cylinders are on the same coil and 2 & 4 are on the same coil.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, (I'm at work and dont have access to my manual)

 

Re: Help required Please

You can also just swap the coil plug-in's to the harness to see how the plugs fire on the different coil.

Easy test.

 

Re: Help required Please

Nope. actually #1 & 4 are on one coil and 2 & 3 are on one.

 

EUREKA!!!!!

This afternoon I checked all the ignition system wiring, number 3 low tension wire to the coil had a split in it, replaced wire and added 2 new connectors. Then synced the carbs with a vac gauge, colour tuned all 4, ticked over sweet as a nut. Took the trike out, still spluttering slightly between 2500-4000 rpm, came back & pulled the plugs all 4 covered in soot.

So, because I have got adjustable needles, lowered the needles by one slot (to do this you actually move the circlip up one). Took the trike out again............................................NO SPLUTTER! No flat spots in any rev range. Pulled the plugs, all are a nice tan colour!

BRING ON SUMMER!!!!

Thanks for all the help guys.

Lea

 

That's the Spirit, Lea.

Hope you have a great riding season.

 

Enjoy that trike Lea, and ride safe!

 

Now that you mention it, it looks like that bike could ride 4 folks at once!!??
Right-on!