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Across' first Canberra winter - not coping with the cold :(

Discussion in 'Suzuki 250cc In-line 4's' started by sarahb, Jul 4, 2016.

  1. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    Time before last i had a whole lot of trouble starting my bike. Push started 10 times and finally got her fired up. Once she was warm she ran really well. Parked and she started again a number of times, absolutely no issues.

    Yesterday I couldn't start her. Sat her in the sun for a couple of hours. Granted it was still bloody cold. But couldn't start her. I don't have a garage. I've put her under the carport with a blankie and a cover over the top of that.

    Any hints as to how to help her start tomorrow? Its been -5 at night :(

    One suggestion was bring her into the loungeroom in front of the heater. Hmmm, maybe not.
     
  2. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    ... which reminds me of this video

    "When You Get a New Bike"

     
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  3. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    It will be the battery unhappy with the cold. I don't know where it is on the across, but probably worth taking it inside and charging it overnight. A full charge is good, but keeping it at a warmer temperature inside will keep it happy.

    Also, turning off the headlight with the switch, if your bike has it.
     
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  4. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    actually the battery is fine. its pretty new. lights are bright and it turns over, just doesn't fire.

    on the across its under the boot, 6 screws away :(
     
  5. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    -5, arrggghhhh there is a reason we live in Qld :thumb_ups:

    plus we are awesome at rugby league !!!
     
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  6. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    That's a pain.

    Is there anywhere you can leave the bike so it gets the sun on it as early as possible? It does wonders to bring the temperature up. I thought about an engine block heater, very common in the USA. Or a heated motorcycle cover? I don't know if those exist. And you would need to power them somehow
     
  7. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    The power isn't an issue.. can run it from inside no dramas. Electric blanket? :p

    Its just that yesterday i had it in the sun for a few hours and it still wouldnt start. Maybe it was flooded at that point.
     
  8. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Hide a fan heater under the cover and run it for half an hour before you need to start it.

    Had a fan heater with me at Wakefield park race track in Goulburn in 2013 when it was -7 after it snowed in the afternoon. I was sleeping in the back of my Falcon ute with the cover over me. Ran the heater on low all night and was the only car next morning to not be covered in ice. :dance2:
     
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  9. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    When mine had trouble starting it was because it was on low(er) compression than normal. After valve clearances I've never had a problem with a cold start since... my bikes not an across though. If the battery is new the other problem could be a little lean.

    I used to live in regional NSW where it got to -7 some mornings but I didn't have a carby bike back then either so yeh.

    And having it in the house... well at my place this would SO happen:

     
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  10. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    the choke?
     
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  11. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    the bike has never started without the choke on fully. goes without saying.

    in recent times i also have to turn the stop idle in a turn or two.

    not the solution unfortunately
     
  12. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    Hmm... if choke doesn't help it doesn't sound like a lean issue, if your battery is new it's not electrical so that really only leaves lower than normal compression. Could be wrong but it should start with choke on full, even if it has to try a bit harder than normal.

    Maybe it's as simple as evaluating your valve clearance situation...?
     
  13. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    If it was compression, would push starting start it?

    Must admit when I think about it could have been an issue the whole 15 months I've had it. Just getting gradually worse.
     
  14. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    A push start might get it going if it spins the engine fast enough to stay running. As it warms up and the metal expands it will be easier to stay running

    Might be a good idea to check the compression. If the numbers are low, try a tablespoon of oil into each cylinder and re-check. If the compression goes up then the piston rings are worn out. If not, then it's likely the valve clearances need doing. You will need a 7.48mm outer diameter shim kit, or record the clearances and thickness of each shim for each valve, swap as many shims around and order any that you don't have the correct size for.

    You can get new rings from aliexpress cheap enough - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free...250R-GJ72A-GJ73A-GJ74A-BANDIT/2038799571.html

    Or a whole piston, rings & little end bearings kit - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pist...50-72A-73A-74A-4Sets-STD-Size/1643441517.html

    Then you need a genuine head gasket and base gasket, and lots of time to actually do the work (or pay someone to do it).
     
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  15. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    Short answer is yes. This is because spinning the motor fast enough can compensate for a loss of pressure in the cylinder. If you can start it with a push but it won't start off a key then I'd be looking at clearances. Linkin is right, compression testing should be done on a warm engine ideally and the oil in the cylinder will tell you whether or not it is clearances or rings. If you have had the problem for a long time and it is getting worse (particularly in winter) I can imagine this may be the right track for further investigations.

    Also @Linkin I'm not sure the bandit and across have interchangeable parts despite a chinese seller or two saying so - could be the case for rings but I'd be checking part numbers very carefully just in case. There are many people out there who believe they have the same engine when they don't.... not saying you do but just a word of caution to others.
     
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  16. Pygmygod

    Pygmygod Well-Known Member

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    Hey Linkin, any first hand experience with the Aliexpress China parts?

    The mate who has given me his old clanger of a GSX250f could do with a new top end. It's compression was pretty low. Took a lot of maintenance & stuffing about to get it to fire up :(
     
  17. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Yes I have used chinese 3LN pistons, rings, little ends & circlips, and main crank bearings. No issues with fitment or running. The pistons even had the same "3LN" casting as the original pistons, so I suspect someone in china has bought the moulds or reproduced them.

    Just make sure you check part numbers
     
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  18. risky

    risky risky

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    i have bought rings, bearings and gaskets. would buy genuine gaskets but the rings and bearings were ok.
     
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  19. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    difficulty starting with the choke on...has the choke mechanism and function been checked?
    I don't know the across unfortunately, so an owner may be able to chime in to help

    How many Km's on the clock?
     
  20. sarahb

    sarahb Well-Known Member

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    only 82,000km :)

    the choke works.

    thanks everyone for your responses. pretty sure its the compression. unfortunately can't justify spending the money on it
     
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