Bad cold starting.

[digganuggy]

Hi
I have recently bought an NC30, it's low mileage and excellent condition all round. Only problem is starting from cold - it takes an eternity! Once it has started it runs sweet as and starts on half a turn thereafter. Any ideas?
Cheers
Digga

[Neosophist]

How are you trying to start it?

You should be using full choke and absolubtly NO thottle at all untill its running.

If it's still difficult, make sure that your choke cable is in good condition and pulling the chokes on properly.

[yamahaha]

aye check the chokes are all pulling on evenly ihave just done one and the two front choke jets were stuck on all the time as the sliding bar in the front two carbs was corroded and the rears were half operating shitty job to do but essential non the less. hope this helps
ian

[digganuggy]

Thanks chaps I'll take a look.

[pagan1001]

Alright hows things!!??Hope you have got to the bottom of this problem, either way please keep me updated as I have the same problem. I have checked everything that can be checked I will tell you what I have found out about this problem................................... The spark from the plugs is not a fat blue blue one so is a little weak, there is fuel & air getting to the engine & the start button works fine as well as the motor & relay & all the fuses check okay. All wiring is okay, the ignition coils are both giving a perfect reading for the primary coil in both, but I cant get a reading for the secondary at all!!! Can someone tell me if this should give a reading!???. The HT leads are all in working order, the pulse generator should be reading between 400 - 500 ohms but I only get 366 ohms is this slight difference going to make a BIG difference???. The ignition control unit has not been tested yet as I pray it aint that!!! The engine turns over fine & the oil light goes out it sounds as if the spark is not strong enough, Anyway hope someone can help with this starting problem as it has me baffled & ignition parts are expensive. cheers Ian.

[SimNC30]

Interesting....

I've got a similar problem with cold starting - full choke, hit the starter button and it splutters (sounds like it is only firing on two cyls maybe) and nearly catches and turns over but can't quite manage it first time. Once it's running it runs sweetly but it's a very annoying problem to say the least. Sometimes it will burble very weakly, sounding like it's only sparking on one or two cylinders but never quite running properly. Also occasionally when it's just started and is warming up at idle and you blip the throttle it cuts out plus it never seems totally happy just ticking over, although that may be the idle speed as it eventually likes to cut out when I turn the choke off. I put fresh spark plugs in it a few days ago and it hasn't helped, am I correct in thinking that if it's only a problem with starting then it's electrical?

[Neosophist]

Interesting....

I've got a similar problem with cold starting - full choke, hit the starter button and it splutters (sounds like it is only firing on two cyls maybe) and nearly catches and turns over but can't quite manage it first time. Once it's running it runs sweetly but it's a very annoying problem to say the least. Sometimes it will burble very weakly, sounding like it's only sparking on one or two cylinders but never quite running properly. Also occasionally when it's just started and is warming up at idle and you blip the throttle it cuts out plus it never seems totally happy just ticking over, although that may be the idle speed as it eventually likes to cut out when I turn the choke off. I put fresh spark plugs in it a few days ago and it hasn't helped, am I correct in thinking that if it's only a problem with starting then it's electrical?

Could be a few things

Out of spec valve clearances will make starting hard
Could be a blocked pilot jet, choke lever not engaging fully, or other carb related problem.
Could also be electrical.
Stale / Old / Contaminated Fuel
Gummed up plugs.

There fussy to start anyway, any throttle before its ticking over usually kills it.

[kevin wilson]

this is at the 2 posters pagan and simnc and well every1 else i say ,i had similar trouble with my nc the last few days well since xmas gone and no matter wot i did the bike wudnt fire up,well it would fire up after draining cleaning the carbs but the problem would return after i parked the bike up for the nite,i went to halfords today and got a bottle of wynns dry fuel,,its an additive for the fuel that prevents against carb icing and water build up in the tank and carbs of the bike and belive me it works wonders,,theres also a silkolyne version of the stuff call pro fst i think ,im open to correction on the spelling there lol but its worth your wile to at least trying it out before taking the carbs apart and buying new plugs again for no result

[pagan1001]

Cheers for that mate have just been reading about dry fuel & it sounds great am going to halfords tomorrow so will let you know how I get on. It has to be something like that cause I got my bike back today a friend of mine ran all the tests on the ignition system & low and behold it checks out okay. Can you tell me how water or ice enters the tank & carbs so quickly????. Or is this just one of those common problems???. Anyway sounds like your on to something.........how did you know to try this product??? Thanks loads anyway and I will let you know what happens okay........ cheers.

[Cammo]

I have checked everything that can be checked ....... The spark from the plugs is not a fat blue blue one so is a little weak

Try new plugs!

Bad or flooded plugs will cause all your symptoms.