Carb problem, 86 250SX

[fabiodriven]

This is my first foray into a 250SX carb and let me go on the record right now as saying this is the most ASININE setup I have ever seen in my entire life.

I started with an attempted removal of the carb. I wasn't able to remove the carb from the machine because there is a mess of lines and cables going to the carb. I removed all the lines I was able to including the fuel line and a few other vacuum/drain lines or whatever the f**k they are. Now I have two cables on there, one throttle the other being the choke cable. They are both threaded into the carb body itself and I see no way I can unthread either one without physically spinning the carb to get them off. WTF? I have removed the airbox and all carb boots except for the front one that bolts to the head. So I said f**k it, I'll clean the damn carb where it is, in the bike.

Well that went over like a fart in church. I take out the floats and 3 jets (why 3 BTW?) and start spraying away. I unplugged a couple of ports and seemed to be making some progress. I put the jets back in and started spraying through them to make sure everything was opened up. There are two problems I have encountered at this point-

1- I can't seem to get any fluid to come out of the very front (closest to the motor) orifice that the mixture screw (?) is under. I'm assuming there is a port coming from one of the small jets that goes to this orifice and I can't seem to see where it is to unclog it (because I can't get the goddam carb off the bike). Where is this orifice supposed to get its fuel from?

2- All of a sudden this stupid little washer shows up from nowhere in the venturi near the butterfly and I have no idea where it came from. WTF?


All joking aside, I am honestly ready to liquidate the whole goddam fleet. I don't ride enough to keep the machines maintained and I have too many to keep up with. I destroyed my poor R at the last awful ride I went to in New Hampshire and I haven't even had the drive to wash the thing off yet because I don't even want to see what it looks like now.

I have some mental issues (go figure) and I can't concentrate when attempting to work on anything anymore and it's causing me more anguish than it's worth. This bike is supposed to go on it's maiden voyage to NH next weekend and at this point its maiden voyage is more likely to be off a f**kin cliff. I honestly couldn't care any less if I make it or not.

The washer in question is the one in the foreground. I know, I know, "use the manual Fabio". Well never in my life have I had to use a manual for a simple carb cleaning. I'd like to meet the guy who designed this setup so I could punch him in the face.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

The washer looks like a carb bowl screw washer to me, but it may have also been installed along with the spring pictured too.. A member here by the name of Chillian is a long time friend of mine and has an SX. He has had his carb off for service, but I wasnt present when he did it. Try PMing him, he would know the trick to get the carb outta there. I know he said it was a b***c. I wish I could help you a bit more than that, but I dont want to misdirect you.

[fabiodriven]

Thank you, but it's not a bowl washer.

[TecateDan]

Put the green skins back on the tecate and deal with the sx later. Oh yea when I wash my tecate after this ride I'll was that poor R for you too since underneath all that mud it's still an awesome trike that just needs a bit o motor work kid. No big deal kid, I got a case splitter and we'll have that puppy up and running in no time..

[RIDE-RED 250r]

By any chance did the spring come out with the mixture screw?

[dougspcs]

I know you don't want to hear this but you have to get that carb off!!

If you don't include removing and cleaning the choke plunger and jet in your carb clean effort you may find the whole exercize is for not..

Remove the plastic side cover from the carb body and unhook the throttle cable..you should be able to unscrew the cable from the body without spinning the carb.

2nd, just as you called it..a wrench on the choke cable nut which is plastic and spin the carb until in unscrews then pull the cable until the plunger comes out of the choke bore.

I couldn't believe how much dirt had gotten sucked into the choke plunger..clean it good and even throw a thin layer of silicone grease on the plunger before doing the whole thing in reverse..

I've practiced this little routine on my big red, fourtrax and SX...all are the same.

You gotta take the hard road on this one..

The little washer appeared on the paper towel when I did it also, memory tells me it may be for the mixture screw below the spring..but not 100%(it's been a while)..

good luck!!

[jensenracing77]

the front "jet" is more like a choke jet. if you open the choke i bet you will get it to spray through. the little washer also has a rubber O ring that goes with it. it is still in the carb or fell out also. they go in the mixture screw hole. when holding the screw you would first put the washer on then the rubber O ring on then thread the entire thing into the body. just look inside the body to see if the little O ring is still in there. they are hard to see and may very well be lost.

[jensenracing77]

X2 on the spring. it would be the spring then the washer then the O ring.

[El Camexican]

The fiche lists three washers and I don't think any are the ones you have in the photos as there are two on on the bowl and the third is on the upper front right side on a screw that holds a cover they call the "body cover" http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmot.../m1914#sch6400

However there is a jet/screw looking thing that goes into the carb from the bottom on the front right corner called a "screw set" and it seems to have a washer that the spring pushes up against to keep it from touching a small gasket. Looks a lot like your picturers, but the fiche is so blurry I can't be sure.

Disconnect those cables at the bars and spin them off. Your sanity will return once you get that abortion of a carb on a clean bench.

[aldochina]

you have to get the choke plunger out. loosen that plastic nut that threads into the carb. it should spin freely of the cable. then the whole plunger assembly "should" pull right out! they do get froze up, imagine that, you may have to hit it with some penetrant if its frozen. once you get that plunger out you can turn the carb body "stupid I know" to release the throttle cable.

[fabiodriven]

I took some deep breaths, thanks for the tremendous help guys. I had to walk away before things started flying.

That sounds right that the washer would go with the mixture screw. So there is another O-ring Jensen? I'm a little confused as to your assembly instructions. Are you referring to the order of installation in relation to the carb or how they would stack on the needle? I'd prefer the order in which to stack them on the needle. Very good info on opening the choke to see if that port flows Jensen, I'll try that.

Rory, I thought that would be how the choke cable would come out, but it appears to be all one piece? Although I really couldn't see straight through my rage. I'll have to take another peek.

Remove the plastic side cover from the carb body and unhook the throttle cable..you should be able to unscrew the cable from the body without spinning the carb.

2nd, just as you called it..a wrench on the choke cable nut which is plastic and spin the carb until in unscrews then pull the cable until the plunger comes out of the choke bore.

Doug, I tried my best to remove the throttle cable. I removed the plastic cover and wanted to do exactly what you just said, but I saw no way the cable comes off that elbow. It appears to all be one piece.

There is no way I can spin the body of the carb to get the choke plunger out if the throttle cable is still in there.

[fabiodriven]

I would just like to reiterate that this is the dumbest, THE DUMBEST setup I have ever seen. I see it every day on here, "Oh buy a Honda, no more problems! Ride red dude!" Well let me just tell you, the engineers must have called in sick the day they were designing this setup. It appears as though they grabbed the closest janitor, blindfolded him, spun him around a few times, and gave him a pen to draw up a design. My friggin god, what an abomination.

[atc007]

I thought this was a joke?? I now think it's not? Remove the plastic side cover,push the throttle up with your thumb,,THEN,slide the cable out of the throttle. Loosen lock nut on top of carb,unscrew carb. 2 minutes,,you're holding the carb. If the choke doesn't simply loosen and come out,,carefully work it. It will come out as long as your choke is free?? if it is NOT free,,post back,,cuz that is a whole nother story you are gonna want NOTHING of!!! Washer is what they have said. Deep breath! Wooooosssaaaaa.. Sorry, I love Bad Boys 2!

[fabiodriven]

I'm on the phone with Dirtcrasher. He just explained everything you guys said. I'm gonna give 'er another go tomorrow.

[bigworm626]

Were with you Fabio, just keep the deep breathes coming. You got wisdom on your side.