Hard cold starting XT225, low compression?

[nzspokes]

Our XT225 is a pig to start cold. Now I just pull the plug and pour a little fuel in and away she goes. Plug is dry when I pull it out.

Hit the starter and off she goes. Starts fine hot. Runs well.

Im thinking low compression, carbs was torn down and cleaned out when we got it. I dont have a comp tester and dont feel like buying one.

What say you?

[george formby]

Is the choke working?

My old XT 350 was a bugger to start cold. Choke on, twist throttle, release, kick a couple of times and roll a fag. Kick again and it would fire.

Bugger wouldn't start hot either..

[nzspokes]

Is the choke working?

My old XT 350 was a bugger to start cold. Choke on, twist throttle, release, kick a couple of times and roll a fag. Kick again and it would fire.

Bugger wouldn't start hot either..

Looks to be, once started the idle speed picks up when the choke is out when cold.

[george formby]

Looks to be, once started the idle speed picks up when the choke is out when cold.

If it's a plunger type rather than a lever on the carb I would still give it a wee lube, just in case it is a little sticky.

I also thought maybe a split in the carb rubbers but if the bike runs fine when warm, probably not.

Moisture in the plug cap on these damper mornings?

[T.W.R]

Valve clearances have closed up
Xt200s & TTR225s do it a lot

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Starts fine hot. Runs well.

Valve clearances have closed up
Xt200s & TTR225s do it a lot

I would've thought if that's the prob, hot starting would be even worse.

[T.W.R]

I would've thought if that's the prob, hot starting would be even worse.

Not all the time Pete, we used to see it a lot with farmbikes, 3wheelers & quads etc especially the older style 2v singles. 225s you can start by hand the engine is that industrial in design. It's similar to early KX450F & KLX450Rs getting hard to start cold & OK when hot due valve recession, it's the same scenario but on a more basic level.

[nzspokes]

Valve clearances have closed up
Xt200s & TTR225s do it a lot

Righto. Cheers for that. Will give them the adjustment.

Bike does seem to run well. Just no likey the cold start.

[nzspokes]

Not all the time Pete, we used to see it a lot with farmbikes, 3wheelers & quads etc especially the older style 2v singles. 225s you can start by hand the engine is that industrial in design. It's similar to early KX450F & KLX450Rs getting hard to start cold & OK when hot due valve recession, it's the same scenario but on a more basic level.

Another quick question, I replaced the counter shaft seal a few weeks back and have not ridden it. Got it home and its leaking again. Now its a simple seal to change and i dont think I stuffed it up. Any ideas?

[T.W.R]

Righto. Cheers for that. Will give them the adjustment.

Bike does seem to run well. Just no likey the cold start.

Just due to having seen that sort of thing a lot times before that's the 1st place I'd be looking....I'm not guaranteeing it is the problem but have fiddled around with enough of them that I'd zero in on the valves 1st before heading elsewhere.
Those wee buggers do go well a mate had a Xt200 for his G/F that could up it's skirt and trot along really well. And I fettled a TTR225 for another guy that was a real wolf in sheeps clothing, real stroppy sod in tight country

Another quick question, I replaced the counter shaft seal a few weeks back and have not ridden it. Got it home and its leaking again. Now its a simple seal to change and i dont think I stuffed it up. Any ideas?

Unless the shaft is worn hard to say...
Did you dry assemble it? sometimes even the slightest scratch on the seal lip can cause weeps (on any seal) Anything like that I always wet assemble

[nzspokes]

Just due to having seen that sort of thing a lot times before that's the 1st place I'd be looking....I'm not guaranteeing it is the problem but have fiddled around with enough of them that I'd zero in on the valves 1st before heading elsewhere.
Those wee buggers do go well a mate had a Xt200 for his G/F that could up it's skirt and trot along really well. And I fettled a TTR225 for another guy that was a real wolf in sheeps clothing, real stroppy sod in tight country



Unless the shaft is worn hard to say...
Did you dry assemble it? sometimes even the slightest scratch on the seal lip can cause weeps (on any seal) Anything like that I always wet assemble

I will give the valves a shot during the week. Look easy.

Pulled the old/new seal out and it looks to have caught on the spline so i did stuff it up. Had to get the last one from Aussie but measuring it looks to be 35x20x7 so should be able to get from a bearing shop.

It goes well, Ive jetted it up a little and it pulls clean. Im probably going to strip it in deep winter and paint the frame. Ive read they respond to a bit more compression so with the motor out I may fit a piston and knock a little off the head.

[nzspokes]

Checked the exhaust valve tonight because its easy to get to. It was way to lose, put it back to spec.

Started cold just fine. Will do the inlet tomorrow.

[nzspokes]

Thanks for the help.

Both valves were over 2 times too loose. Now back in spec it starts like a champ.