Banshee hard start

[Nickak8]

Ok,

 

I have a 99 banshee that has been getting harder and harder to start. It has fuel and spark. When it is warm it will start with one kick and run good. When cold it will take forever, sometimes have to resort to pull starting it. Or if i let it sit for more than 1 hr or so after running it will be hard to start. I recently fixed a large intake leak and wondering if having this leak for a long time was causing it to run lean and did some damage.(THE HARD START IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM, IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE ALL SUMMER).

 

My theory is that the rings are getting worn, causing low compression, making it hard to start. Once it has been running the compression improves because of the heat causing the piston and rings to expand. Or i also heard that a cracked head, cracked reed, or bad crankshaft seal could cause this.

 

My plan is to do a compression test and a cylinder leak down test to evaluate these potential causes.

 

What i need is for any and all info. you guys can give me on this problem, compression specs, and cylinder leak down testing specs and procedure.

 

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[black sunshine]

Your compression will vary depending on your elevation, sea level is around 125psi for stock head. Under 100psi or a variance of 10% per cylinder is time for a bore and pistons. Hold the throttle wide open and kick until the gauge stops climbing. You may want to compare hot/cold data. Make sure your tester is not a POS.

 

There are several good threads on here about leakdown testing. 6psi for 6 minutes is pretty standard.

[dajogejr]

Leakdown and compression testing are two different things (blacksunhine, when I read your post...I was confused about how you meant that..sorry... )

 

You need to get a quality compression gauge and test it out. Keep in mind, your gauge thread depth must be as long as the spark plug itself for an accurate reading.

 

Also...stop riding that bike until you can test it.

If the engine gets worn too much (which, it sounds like it's at that point) you risk seizure and breakage of parts. Much more expensive than a simple freshen up.

 

If it gets fuel, spark, is jetted properly and the air filter is clean...it sounds like it's time to freshen it up.