choke "works" for 5 seconds, then kills engine - Honda Shadow Forums : Shadow Motorcycle Forum

flivver · 11-16-2012, 08:57 AM

2000 Shadow ACE (VT750C)... Had it for about 6-7 months now, and it's always behaved this way. Since we're getting to cooler weather, again, it's becoming a problem (again).

Basically, when the bike is cold, I can pull the choke all the way out and start the bike, no problem. However, after about 4-5 seconds at a choke-like (high) idle, the engine dies. If I turn the choke off, I can restart the bike (but then it'll die 3-4 times before I can nurse it along enough to keep it running by itself).

To recap, what I observe is that the choke actually has an effect (i.e. the bike idles high, like you'd expect it to with the choke on) -- i.e. the cable/mechanism seem to be working -- but the bike won't stay running.

If it matters any, I cleaned both carbs after I got the bike (back in the April timeframe), and have been running Sea Foam (or whatever it's called) in about every third of fourth tank.

Any ideas?

dgraves49 · 11-16-2012, 11:10 AM

Are you leaving the choke all the way on after it starts?
Once it starts you should open the choke a little so it don't flood the engine and then continue opening it more as it warms up.

justinmahn · 11-16-2012, 12:28 PM

My spirit hates a full choke. It's kinda like figuring out how hard to slap your wife's bum. Do it wrong and you get nowhere.

flivver · 11-16-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinmahn

My spirit hates a full choke. It's kinda like figuring out how hard to slap your wife's bum. Do it wrong and you get nowhere.

That might be the quote of the year.

flivver · 11-16-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgraves49

Are you leaving the choke all the way on after it starts?
Once it starts you should open the choke a little so it don't flood the engine and then continue opening it more as it warms up.

Hmmmmmm. I guess I've been using it wrong. I've been pulling the choke on (fully), then starting the engine...

Just talked to a buddy over lunch, who suggested that I may need to enrich my mixture by tweaking the pilot screw on each carb. That sound plausible?

Scaredofmyownshadow · 11-16-2012, 01:34 PM

I never have to even touch my choke on my ace. Starts right up every time with minimal throttle. Good to go after about a minute of idle. Temps around 30f.

Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

flivver · 11-16-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flivver

Hmmmmmm. I guess I've been using it wrong. I've been pulling the choke on (fully), then starting the engine...

Just talked to a buddy over lunch, who suggested that I may need to enrich my mixture by tweaking the pilot screw on each carb. That sound plausible?

Just confirmed that there really isn't a range of choke, on mine. It's either fully pulled out (in which case it has an effect), or it's effectively off (i.e. has no effect). Seems like there's no middle ground.

John Hopkins · 11-16-2012, 01:58 PM

These aren't actually chokes as most people understand the meaning they are enrichment valves, instead of cutting the air flow they add fuel..As I understand it..As the weather changes you may not need to use the choke to start your engine, each bike is different dependant upon the condition of your carb, the atmospheric pressure the temperature and the moisture content in the air..before you do anything drastic experiment with starting the bike with no choke..The choke should not be either on or off there is a difference between settings, but as the carbs have been worked on recently maybe that is where your problem lies..as for the seafoam, if the carbs have been done correctly and the fuel filter was changed there should be no need to add a cleaning component to your fuel..

John.

rrounds · 11-16-2012, 02:16 PM

Iridium plugs can help. My VT 1100-T loves them.
Here is a post I made on HSATF on the Iridium plugs.

The type of plug does make a difference ! (update) in Engine, Intake and Exhaust Forum

ROD

flivver · 11-16-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrounds

Iridium plugs can help. My VT 1100-T loves them.
Here is a post I made on HSATF on the Iridium plugs.

The type of plug does make a difference ! (update) in Engine, Intake and Exhaust Forum

ROD

Interesting... Due to the magic (and temptation) of Amazon Prime, I have a set of four arriving on Tuesday.

11-16-2012, 08:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
flivver Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 76	choke "works" for 5 seconds, then kills engine 2000 Shadow ACE (VT750C)... Had it for about 6-7 months now, and it's always behaved this way. Since we're getting to cooler weather, again, it's becoming a problem (again). Basically, when the bike is cold, I can pull the choke all the way out and start the bike, no problem. However, after about 4-5 seconds at a choke-like (high) idle, the engine dies. If I turn the choke off, I can restart the bike (but then it'll die 3-4 times before I can nurse it along enough to keep it running by itself). To recap, what I observe is that the choke actually has an effect (i.e. the bike idles high, like you'd expect it to with the choke on) -- i.e. the cable/mechanism seem to be working -- but the bike won't stay running. If it matters any, I cleaned both carbs after I got the bike (back in the April timeframe), and have been running Sea Foam (or whatever it's called) in about every third of fourth tank. Any ideas?

11-16-2012, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
dgraves49 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tecumseh, Michigan Posts: 686	Are you leaving the choke all the way on after it starts? Once it starts you should open the choke a little so it don't flood the engine and then continue opening it more as it warms up. __________________

11-16-2012, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scaredofmyownshadow Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Evansville, Indiana Posts: 489	I never have to even touch my choke on my ace. Starts right up every time with minimal throttle. Good to go after about a minute of idle. Temps around 30f. Sent from my iPhone using MO Free __________________

11-16-2012, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
John Hopkins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tredegar,South Wales, near England, not far from Scotland. Posts: 3,398	These aren't actually chokes as most people understand the meaning they are enrichment valves, instead of cutting the air flow they add fuel..As I understand it..As the weather changes you may not need to use the choke to start your engine, each bike is different dependant upon the condition of your carb, the atmospheric pressure the temperature and the moisture content in the air..before you do anything drastic experiment with starting the bike with no choke..The choke should not be either on or off there is a difference between settings, but as the carbs have been worked on recently maybe that is where your problem lies..as for the seafoam, if the carbs have been done correctly and the fuel filter was changed there should be no need to add a cleaning component to your fuel.. John. __________________ Beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes right to the bone.

11-16-2012, 02:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
rrounds Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sacramento,CA Posts: 1,009	Iridium plugs can help. My VT 1100-T loves them. Here is a post I made on HSATF on the Iridium plugs. The type of plug does make a difference ! (update) in Engine, Intake and Exhaust Forum ROD __________________ '98 VT1100-T so many roads so little time

11-16-2012, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
justinmahn Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Springdale, AR Posts: 328	My spirit hates a full choke. It's kinda like figuring out how hard to slap your wife's bum. Do it wrong and you get nowhere.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
HondaShadow.net Advertisement