Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 74
'92 XTZ660 Tenere cold start problem

I'm using this bike as my only transport at present. The bike starts Ok if its been in the garage overnight, even if there's been a frost. A bit of choke and it will fire up.
The problem only occures on days when I've left it on the drive a few hours before starting it, in a cold wind. Half choke is not enough. It fires up very briefly on full choke but does not catch and run, repeated efforts lead to a flooded carb, and flattened battery.
I had the bike looked at by a local bike shop with plenty of experience in older jap bikes. They took up some slack in the choke cable, checked that the choke worked, and adjusted the carb.
A cold windy day today and the same problem again. Fortunately holding a fan heater to the top of the engine for just a minute, it started with no choke!
The bike shop are willing to have it in again, but apart from checking the valve clearances and compression , they are wondering what else they could try.
I wonder if it could be a split in the carb-head rubbers, but it runs so sweet once it is running.
The weather is getting steadily colder and I dread being caught somewhere away from home and the fan heater.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Nov 2010
oothef's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: york
Posts: 265
Have you tried full choke, then after it's fired and stopped, drop it on to halfchoke?
__________________
Anything can happen in the next half hour
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 23 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 74
Yes, tried that. Once it has made one attempt to start on full choke, half choke produces no response at all.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Nov 2010
bacardi23's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: XXX<-Portugal->Azores->Santa Maria (island)
Posts: 1,544
very easy fix! you're idle screw is set too low! turn it up a bit to start and if wanted decrease it a bit after it's running!

Vando
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 74
Thanks, we might try that, but as it is, once its running its very sweet, with already a slightly high tickover rate.
The difficulty is that the problem only exists when the engine is really cold. Once its run, even after standing 3 hours, it'll start Ok. Which means thankfully I can keep riding it.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 107
I have a 91 XTZ660 and experienced this very same problem. It was the choke sticking on, which apparently is very common on this model. Once running the bike was running way too rich which sooted everything up, making it very difficult to start first thing in the morning.
The problem is actually within the carb, not the cable itself usually.
__________________
This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Hi I would definately check the choke mechanism. As someone said previously they are notorious for sticking. It is usually the brass barrel part that slides in and out of the carb body that causes the problem. They are fairly easy to remedy. Pull back the rubber cover at the carb and you should find a hex head 12mm spanner from memory. Undo this nut, its part of the barrel. Once out you can undo the choke cable and clean up the brass barrel with some wd40 take care not to damage the o ring. Clean out the opening in the carb where the barrel came out. Reassemble and try the operation the choke should feel fairly smooth and easy to operate. If the choke mechanism/ barrel is really difficult to remove leave as it is for now and order the choke mechanism/ barrel from your Yamaha dealer, go for an original repair kit from Yamaha. That way you can use some grips to remove the barrel if its really tightly stuck inside.

Good luck and let us know how you go.

Cheers Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 74
Thanks guys. The choke mechanism has been apart and works smoothly, and except when the engine is at its coldest, works fine. As in, when engines warm, needs no choke. A bit cold, half choke. Colder, full choke does the business. Only when it is really cold, full choke, engine fires for a few revs but dies immeadiately and will not restart.
In those conditions, a fan heater directed under the tank, towards the carb, maybe reaching the air intake under the seat, for just a minute and it will fire up and run without choke.
The local bike shop suggests dodgy coil/HTlead & condensation. Their theory being that the fan heater blows the condensation away. I am sceptical, but as they can supply new coil & lead for £21 I'll give that a try. As a 19 year old bike, with winter coming on its probably a good idea anyway.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
XTZ 660 Tenere '94 cold start problem Ivchxtz660 Yamaha Tech 17 2 Oct 2017 11:35
TT600RE poor start from cold and in the wet dieg0oo Yamaha Tech 7 6 Feb 2011 10:31
TT600R cold start problems sanderd Yamaha Tech 5 15 Oct 2008 02:20
Any Dakar cold-start problems? lmonsanto BMW Tech 0 13 Feb 2005 11:48
Cold start problems -96 F650F AliBaba BMW Tech 0 6 Oct 2003 03:27

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:13.