Hard Starting When Cold

[Nofi]

2009 1125CR: When temps drop to low 30 deg. F. the bike starts momentarily then quits. Repeated attempts fail. I smell fuel and it appears to be flooded. If I let it set for 5 minutes and go back I can get it to start. It then runs rich and takes a couple of minutes to clear. Could it be that ice is forming on the injector orifices? Anyone else having a similiar problem?

 

[DustyXB]

Pretty sure gas doesn't freeze at 30* but I could be wrong. Are you keeping the bike outside?!?

 

[TooFst]

It's just because the oil is so thick and stuff dosent want to move as well..

 

[zdawg123]

My Cr does the same thing. Like toofast said, thick oil. No worries man. My bike sits outside under a cover every night.

 

[anrkizm95]

try changing the weight of the oil.

 

[Nofi]

My bike is in the garage and I live in California. Our winter temps are nothing like some of you other owners experience in other parts of the country. The engine turns over fine. It just stalls right after it starts. It acts like it is flooded when I try to restart it. It catches for a few revs then stalls. I have to let it sit for 5 minutes, then it starts. After restart the engine is extremely sluggish like it needs a manual choke. Lots of grey smoke comes out of the exhaust and it smells of partially combusted gasoline. If the fuel/air mixture is right the engine should race above idle until it comes up to temperature and settles back down to 1,250 rpm. It doesn't do this. I run Amsoil 20W-50 full synthetic. It does not get cold enough here to run 10W-40. Regarding the injectors, my thoughts are that water vapor maybe condensing and freezing on the injector nozzels causing the computer to think the engine needs more fuel. This may be causing the engine to flood.

 

[anrkizm95]

I run Amsoil 20W-50 full synthetic. It does not get cold enough here to run 10W-40.

20/50 is to thick for any vechicle at 30 deg

my thoughts are that water vapor maybe condensing and freezing on the injector nozzels

very unlikely

possibly a bad ect sensor,fuel system is loosing its prime,tps is off causing a clear flood condition.just to mention a few things.

 

[turboraven]

In general, twins don't like to idle when really cold. Next time, just as you're hitting start; crack the throttle to 20-25% open and keep it there for 15-20 seconds then let her idle down. That will prevent it from dying and possibly fowling a plug, that would be the last thing you need on a cold day...I've been there before [sad]

 

[TooFst]

Yep. I asked a ole' timer about rough idle on my bike when I first got er... He said the same thing. Hold it at about 2 grand for 15-20 sec, then she should smooth out.

 

[Nofi]

Great ideas! I will try it. It may not quite if I add throttle after it starts. As you said this will keep the plugs from fouling. Thanks!!

 

[zdawg123]

Hold it at about 2 grand for 15-20 sec, then she should smooth out.

That won't hurt the cold cylinder heads or internals?15-20 seconds seems like a long time to hold the throttle at 2k.

 

[turboraven]

Nope, 20% is fine. Holding it wide open after starting is not so good though..

 

[anrkizm95]

That won't hurt the cold cylinder heads or internals?15-20 seconds seems like a long time to hold the throttle at 2k.

it depends on the temp reving a cold engine can cause cracked valves,piston and even a cracked block also reving the engine does not give the oil time to heat up and thin out.90% of bearing wear is from cold start up.also having the wrong weight oil for temp can cause numerous problems.iv seen random missfires and check engine lights to oil filters exploding due to the wrong oil.

 

[zdawg123]

it depends on the temp reving a cold engine can cause cracked valves,piston and even a cracked block also reving the engine does not give the oil time to heat up and thin out.

Exactly why I asked. When my Cr fires up on a cold day and wants to sputter a little, I give it just a little throttle for a couple 3-5 seconds and she'll stay steady and warm up after that. Holding it steady at 2k RPM for 20 seconds makes me a little nervous. I guess each to there own; whatever works best for the bike and it's rider!