No idle between 1000 and 2000 rpm

[Zurg1960]

Gentlemen!

The subject says all meaning that in my recently acquired -06 Xciting can't idle between 2000 and 1000 RPM. When you try to adjust idle below 2000 it drops straight to <1000 and there's a lot of gagging and sagging to get it back to 2000 RPM. Above that everything works like a dream.

I first thought that there's something wrong in idle circuit of the carb and cleaned everything - no help. Then i tried a second carb and just the same.

I can't find any intake leaks and the spark plug is a recently changed Iridium one so I am in a completely lost.....

Any ideas? (most welcome)

[BettinANDlosing]

You just got it? I would suspect carb is dirty on any recently acquired bike or scooter. I didn't catch if it was a 250 our 500 but they are both pretty easy to get the carb out. Clean the idle jet specifically with a thin piece of wire until you see light.

[Zurg1960]

Thanks for a reply!

It is a 500 and I have cleaned everything on a first carb and then tried a second carb - no help. So I am completely lost what next...can secondary air system cause this kind of symptoms?

[BettinANDlosing]

Hmmmm not exactly that I've seen. How many miles are on the bike?

[BettinANDlosing]

Also what do you have the mixture set at?

[willembop]

I believe a small vacuum leak would cause those symptoms. Make sure all the vacuum and air hoses are connected and not split or cracked.

[Zurg1960]

The bike has about 30000 miles on it. I adjusted the pilot screw (on the first carb) first to 2 1/4 turns and then 3 1/2 turns - no noticeable difference. I have left it on the second carb on what it was when received (a second hand unit taken from a running bike). Today I checked the hose going to secondary air system - no help. I've ordered a new o-ring to the cylinder intake. When I removed it last time there was some colouration which *could* be indicative for a leak

[Zurg1960]

OK folks, it was *not* a intake air leak and *not* a fuel problem....

So now it seems that the ignition timing on idle is the culprit...has anybody had to replace the CDI unit before and if so why?

[sissy mary]

I would take it to a dealer! Something strange is going on?

[TeamTEOR2]

I would tend to think that this would be a clogged idle jet issue, but it is totally possible that there is an air leak.  I've not heard of many CDIs being swapped out. How does the air filter look? Have you tried running some Seafoam cleaner? How is the fuel filter? Which spark plug did you put in?

[Zurg1960]

OK folks it is working now  . Finally got a new CDI (like to have it cheap so delivery took time) and presto the pickup from 1000 rpm is as it should be. Also idling quite good, still have to adjust the idle mixture after all this.

[willembop]

Hey - glad you got 'er fixed! Thanks for letting us know the cause. I'm surprised it was an ignition problem -- never seen one with those symptoms. But those CDI modules can fail in many ways.

[Zurg1960]

Thanks!

I guess I know what was the culprit for this. At least in my bike there's a kind a rubber bag over the essential connectors (CDI, rectifier) fastened to frame tubing. My 'bag' was cracked meaning it was extremely watertight (water going in never evaporated). Might have a good idea for you folks to check it next time you remove the met-in box.