[dboogie2288]

Hi all, just dropped in and wanted to ask a few questions of the pros here.

I've got a 93 ex500 with just over 12k miles on it. I've got some issues with idle speed. It used to be really bad...stalling pretty much anytime you weren't on the throttle....had some work done on it, and its *better* but still not perfect.

Here's the history, I bought it about a 3 weeks ago, rode it pretty much everyday the 2 weeks after I bought it, put about 1000 miles on it, then I started having problems last friday.

The work I had done yesterday:
Carbs/jets cleaned
Oil has been changed recently
floats checked
spark plugs replaced (One was oily...we dont know why)

That's the major stuff I've had done recently, and it seems like it's almost random in when it stalls, but it's definately doing it. I tried to increase the idle speed, but that really just made things worse, threw off the power band BIG time. I get a little black smoke at start up, but thats really about it.

Any ideas!?

 

[1Adam12]

Bet you have a blown piston ring or oil is getting by your valves.... (oil on plug is an indicator) The black smoke out of your exhaust may mean that you are rich in fuel.....

 

[dboogie2288]

Bet you have a blown piston ring or oil is getting by your valves.... (oil on plug is an indicator) The black smoke out of your exhaust may mean that you are rich in fuel.....

Well that sure as hell doesnt sound good. How much can I expect that to cost me?

 

[QKENUF4U]

I've got a 93 ex500 with just over 12k miles on it. I've got some issues with idle speed. It used to be really bad...stalling pretty much anytime you weren't on the throttle....had some work done on it, and its *better* but still not perfect.

Here's the history, I bought it about a 3 weeks ago, rode it pretty much everyday the 2 weeks after I bought it, put about 1000 miles on it, then I started having problems last friday.

The work I had done yesterday:
Carbs/jets cleaned
Oil has been changed recently
floats checked
spark plugs replaced (One was oily...we dont know why)

That's the major stuff I've had done recently, and it seems like it's almost random in when it stalls, but it's definately doing it. I tried to increase the idle speed, but that really just made things worse, threw off the power band BIG time. I get a little black smoke at start up, but thats really about it.

Any ideas!?

1. did they clean the jets/passages CORRECTLY :?:
2. did they CORRECTLY SET THE FLOAT HEIGHT :?:
3. you could have the do a COMPRESSION TEST and LEAK DOWN TEST on both cylinders to tell you where the problem lies (rings,valves ?)
4. do you have the choke on when you see the black smoke ? if not then yes you are rich for some reason :?:
5. what did they do other than clean your carbs ? do you have a aftermarket exhaust or air filter ?
6. moving the idle up shouldnt affect the powerband on bit ?

 

[dboogie2288]

Everything SHOULD have been done, but I'm not the expert here, so I am just trusting in that it was.

Another strong recommendation that I received today, was a valve adjustment.

He mentioned that would account for the blue smoke on start up only, the oily plugs, and the idle problems. Would you all agree with that prognosis?

 

[QKENUF4U]

Everything SHOULD have been done, but I'm not the expert here, so I am just trusting in that it was.

Another strong recommendation that I received today, was a valve adjustment.

He mentioned that would account for the blue smoke on start up only, the oily plugs, and the idle problems. Would you all agree with that prognosis?

not in the slightest.
unless you have some valves SO TIGHT they are hanging open there is no way valves being out of adjustment would cause these problems. plus a loose/tight valve is not gonna make your plugs oily, wore out rings or a bad unbrella valve seal will.the blue smoke is a sign of worn valve seats/valve guide.
a valve adjustment is not a bad idea along with a carb synch.

 

[dboogie2288]

not in the slightest.
unless you have some valves SO TIGHT they are hanging open there is no way valves being out of adjustment would cause these problems. plus a loose/tight valve is not gonna make your plugs oily, wore out rings or a bad unbrella valve seal will.the blue smoke is a sign of worn valve seats/valve guide.
a valve adjustment is not a bad idea along with a carb synch.

Ok, so basically the list that youre recommending as a starting point is;

*valve adjustment
*umbrella valve seals
*valve seats/guides
*carb sync

So, IF this is the solution, is this labor intensive? (out of curiosity, I'm a poor college student and I bought the bike for the economics of its cheap maintanence.

 

[QKENUF4U]

Ok, so basically the list that youre recommending as a starting point is;

*valve adjustment
*umbrella valve seals
*valve seats/guides
*carb sync
.

ya know now that i think about it bikes dont have unbralle type seals like cars do. so thats not the problem. sounds like your guides may be getting some wear in them allowing oil down past the valves over night. then when you start the bike it burns it off. not a whole lot you can do but keep oil in the bike and hope the plugs dont fowl out. i would still do your valve adjustment and carb synch though, hopefully that will help the stalling problem
good luck :wink: