Cold starting tips

[01ps]

My 85 Big Red 250ES does not like starting in the cold. I have a magnetic block heater, so it cranks really well, but won't get fuel. If I remove the airbox lid, somtimes it will start, otherwise I have to pull the filter off and squirt fuel into the carb.

Any ideas on how to improve this? I was thinking a primer bulb or somthng, but there is nt really a place to put it in the fuel line.

[Yamada]

Do you use the choke?

[oscarmayer]

choke the crap outta it!!!!

did you ensure the carb is clean and not partly plugged. also ensure the fuel filter is not plugged some what and also ensure your using fresh fuel. as fuel breaks down it evaprates and gets water in it from condensation. so could be that is letting sit for long peroids of time.

[atctim]

This is a common problem on the 85 models ES and SX. Honda had offered a cold start kit - but they are now discontinued. If you can find one - try to upgrade from an 85 to an 86 or 87 carb. Worked wonders on my SX. Now I need to get one for the 85 Big Red. There are a couple of threads here on the boards if you search.

[honda250sx]

I have a few kits... PM if interested.

[GeniusBlock]

My SX is a yiatch to start in the cold (electric)...seems to start pretty decent if I kick start it.

[PaTriker]

What is a cold start kit?

[Nick_R_23]

In short its basicly just a larger main jet IIRC. There vent lines were also all connected but I dont really know why they did this. The early 85 Big Reds had the cold starting problem, which was fixed in the late 85's and 86/87/88 ones, and the kit was offered to fix it in the early 85's. The kits were discontinued a while ago. If you put a carb off an 86+ SX or Big Red, it will have a larger main jet already so just bolt it on and go. I had this problem on my 85, I put a carb rebuild kit on since it would always cut out at high speeds, and it did help it start easier in the cold then before.

-Nick

[oldtime3wheeler]

I was told to kick start it a few times then use the electric start.