MMO Making Kawi Start Problems?

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Lurch

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Could it be? My Kawi is not starting real easy at times lately, when it's hot or cold. At first I thought it might be the 87 octane non ethanol gas I was using so I upgraded to 93 octane non Eth 50 miles ago and it still doesn't start well. I'm think MMO has something to do with it. Maybe I'm adding too much MMO?

This AM I had to jump start it.
 
The MMOFN has been notified. Cascade of denials will be rolling in shortly.

Are you adding it IAW mfg's recommended dosage? If so, I can't imagine it would cause a non starting issue.
 
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It's possible but starting problems on bikes are common. It sounds like you have good gas in the tank so that's a good starting point. I consider 3 month old ethanol gas as suitable for lawnmowers only.

It's a 2003 so it's old enough to start having clogged injectors, bad plugs, bad plug wires, a bad starter, a bad battery, corroded electrical connections, etc. I would check the Kawasaki forums for some mechanical advice. Some of those guys have seen it all and done it all.
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
The MMOFN has been notified. Cascade of denials will be rolling in shortly.

Are you adding it IAW mfg's recommended dosage? If so, I can't imagine it would cause a non starting issue.


LOL!
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Also check the battery water level. Is this bike FI or carb? 1-2 oz/gal gas of Techron might help too.
 
Hi,

Bike has 4 carbs. He said the carbs were synched at the time of last OCI. 1st owner changed the oil & filter with Honda GN4 10w40 every 2k miles.

I don't add any certain amount. I just give it a shot or two. Maybe I have too much in there. I ought to try running without it for a while and will look at my plugs. :)
 
PS - I added Chemtool B12 to it a while back, then the hard stating seemed to appear.

It seems to flood easy. Hitting starter button w/o touching the throttle seems to be the best way to start it.
 
If the bike has a choke, it should be started with choke and no throttle.

Can't see a fuel additive causing starting issues unless so much is added that it upsets the fuel to air ratio significantly.

Does the bike turn over well when cranked?
 
Originally Posted By: boraticus
If the bike has a choke, it should be started with choke and no throttle.

Can't see a fuel additive causing starting issues unless so much is added that it upsets the fuel to air ratio significantly.

Does the bike turn over well when cranked?


It has a choke but doesn't seem to start with it fully choked unless I turn the throttle come.

Yes, it turns over quickly when trying to start it. The battery is only a few months old.
 
Maybe the Chemtool damaged the float needle/seat. I don't know much about that cleaner and never use it in fuel systems. Fuel cleaners like MMO and Techron are suposed to be safe for carburetors at the recommended doses. I would check the plugs, run it for a while then try Techron.
 
Originally Posted By: Lurch
Originally Posted By: boraticus
If the bike has a choke, it should be started with choke and no throttle.

Can't see a fuel additive causing starting issues unless so much is added that it upsets the fuel to air ratio significantly.

Does the bike turn over well when cranked?


It has a choke but doesn't seem to start with it fully choked unless I turn the throttle come.

Yes, it turns over quickly when trying to start it. The battery is only a few months old.


You might want to check the choke cable/linkage to ensure it's working correctly.

I have a Kawasaki KLR650. With the choke on, it fires right up and runs around 3000 rpm, no throttle input needed. Your engine should jump to life if the choke is working as intended.
 
You might be over dosing it. Pull the plugs and is they are red in color, where they should be a dirty grey/white that's probably it.I would give the MMO a break for a while. If your battery is dead, I doubt that's the MMO.,,
 
There's a lot of things that can make a bike hard to start. First, I would stop the MMO for awhile. With the tank so small it is easy to overdose. Check around here for the correct dosage--it has to be measured out. It should start and run with choke on, no throttle. If that is not the case, your carbs may be plugged up and need a clean and adjust. Are your carbs getting plenty of fuel? A dirty fuel filter? Another cause could be valves out of adjustment. Hard starts are a sure sign on my bike that the valves need an adjust.
 
Thanks for all of your replies. I'll look into these things and refer to this thread if necessary.
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>>> PS - I added Chemtool B12 to it a while back, then the hard stating seemed to appear.
There's your answer ...

Drain and replace the fuel and only use 1oz MMO to 5 gallons of gasoline - works for me.
 
Overdosing with any additive can cause issues. I accidentally double dosed a small engine with MMO once and it ran like [censored] so I drained the gas and further diluted it in a gas can and then it ran fine.
 
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