91 Suzuki LTF250 hard starting. Any ideas? Please?

Hannibal

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Jul 6, 2004, 6:59:15 PM7/6/04

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I have a 91 Suzuki LTF250 4WD that is a pain in the a** to start. When it
is warm it is not bad, but when it is cold the only way I can get it to
start is to push start it. I have had the carb apart several times trying
to figure out what the problem is, but I cannot see any worn parts or
anything. Unfortunately, there is also no carburator rebuild kit available
for it. When I pull the top of the carb off and pull the slide out, it will
start no problem with the choke on. While it is running, I can try to put
the slide back in, and no way will it stay running. I am at my wits end
with this thing, and am running out of ideas. Anybody have any suggestions?

Message has been deleted

Jack Brown

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Jul 7, 2004, 6:14:13 AM7/7/04

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My 89 was too until I learned to leave the throttle alone. Pull out
the little black button on the right and then kick it - absolutely NO
throttle. NONE. Push in the button after she starts to fire.
jb

Hannibal

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Jul 7, 2004, 8:23:39 PM7/7/04

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Have tried several needle positions, none seem to help?
"The Last Church" <re-le...@thelastchurch.org> wrote in message
news:r21ne0ti8plkt4edc...@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 17:59:15 -0500, "Hannibal"
> <jleinweber@*nospam*lycos.com> wrote:
>

> >< pull the slide out, it will
> ><start no problem with the choke on. While it is running, I can try to
put
> ><the slide back in, and no way will it stay running.
> ><
>

> Change the needle slot position?

Hannibal

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Jul 7, 2004, 8:24:24 PM7/7/04

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There is no little black button, and there is no kick...... Electric start
4-stroke. You're thinking 2-stroke maybe?
"Jack Brown" <JBr...@rocketmail.dot.com> wrote in message
news:40ebcc79...@newsgroups.bellsouth.net...

Jack Brown

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Jul 8, 2004, 6:14:26 AM7/8/04

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Nope, Mine is a 4 stroke, but kick start. believe the button is a
primer of sorts - just lets the bowl fill. The real point was to not
give it any gas. Re-reading your post, not sure what the "slide"
you're talking about is. Sorry.

jb

RPG

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Jul 8, 2004, 7:29:05 AM7/8/04

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Looking at a carb breakdown diagram at www.powersportspro.com looks like
there were 2 carbs they used for a 1991 year, with some differences.

Seems to me you've got a gummed up carb that just may need some cleaning.

Good luck !

"Hannibal" <jleinweber@*nospam*lycos.com> wrote in message
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Rich Burkett

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Jul 9, 2004, 3:11:25 AM7/9/04

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I have an '88 LT-4WD, which I believe is a very similar machine. I used to
have trouble starting mine, and I determined that there were three problems
contributing to this.

1) The valves were out of adjustment. This caused low compression when cold.
After getting it started and warmed up, it ran fine. But it was real tough
to start. After adjusting the valves I had much more compression and it
started easier.

2) The choke on the carb is essentially a passage that adds extra fuel to
the mixture, rather than the conventional butterfly to reduce air intake.
The passageway for this extra fuel, which runs inside the side of the carb
bowl, was clogged up. This prevented the extra fuel from flowing and thus
prevented the choke from working. I took a small drill bit and cleaned out
the passage. For what it's worth, mine does have the little black button,
which you must pull out in order activate the choke. If the black button is
in, it prevents the choke from activating. I assume this is to keep the
choke from coming on by accident when riding.

3) For some reason I've yet to determine, my quad runs rich. I've tried
adjusting everything (mixture, needle, etc.). Because of this, it fouls
plugs fairly often. If I have a hard time starting it, I now know to clean
the plug, and it starts immediately.

Hope this helps,

Rich

"Hannibal" <jleinweber@*nospam*lycos.com> wrote in message

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Hannibal

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Jul 11, 2004, 8:43:45 PM7/11/04

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Rich,

I have cleaned the carb, and in doing so, noticed that I need a new main
jet. But also, in doing some preliminary checks, have noticed that I have
low compression when cold. How do you go about checking the valves? I have
a Clymer manual for it, so I would assume that it would cover it. Is it a
hard job to do? When I spoke to a Suzuki mechanic, he figured about an hour
worth of labour in a shop would do it.

Thanks,
Jeff
"Rich Burkett" <rbur...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
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Rich Burkett

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Jul 12, 2004, 2:06:29 PM7/12/04

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Jeff,

I have the Clymer manual too, and it does cover the valves. There are
simply two caps on the head cover that permit access to the valves.
Probably the hardest part is getting the engine to rest at top dead center.
The manual says to remove the pull starter to enable you to turn the engine
with a ratchet, but I was able to use the pull starter to get it at TDC. An
hour sounds about right for the job.

Good luck,
Rich

"Hannibal" <jleinweber@*nospam*lycos.com> wrote in message

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Randy Miller

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Aug 21, 2004, 10:24:22 PM8/21/04

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Sounds like either the choke circuit isn't working right, or the idle
jet is lean... Might try going up a size or two.

Another thought comes to mind... How about your compression? Is it up
to specs? If the rings get worn and compression drops, the air pull
thru the carb isn't going to be as strong, leaning it out some...

Wingnut

digitalmaster

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Aug 30, 2004, 8:05:02 PM8/30/04

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"Randy Miller" <NOrlm...@cornell.edu> wrote in message
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check your valve adjustment