DA 85 Won't Start

[bodywerks]

are you using a choke servo or a manual choke? either way, physically make sure the choke is closing all the way. Also try starting (with choke on) at full throttle.

[cesar781]

that is funny
my DA85 I don't need the choke to start and about 05 - 07 flip starts and stay running rock solid.
the only theng i don't use do is drain the gas out of the tank .

[McFlymaster]

OK -just back from Europe and went out to try all the tips provided.

- I opened the carb and I can say that the rubber pump flapper (or whatever that is called) was definitely stuck against the mounting plate and not looking like it was in any shape to flex or move. So I peeled it back and lubed it with some fuel to loosen it up. This seems to have worked.

- I positioned the piston at top center and put the plug back in.

- I then went through the starting sequence with no joy. There was still a non moving bubble in the fuel line.

- Then my son had a good idea and we took a small nerf gun plunger and used it to pressurize the fuel tank. At this point fuel starting squirting out of the back of the carb....no doubt that bubbles were out of the fuel line.

- I attempted a starting sequence, but I am certain that the system was flooded.

- I took the plug out and a LOT of fuel spilled out of the head.

- I dried things out as best I could and tried again. My son and I noticed a new noise --- like the engine had a breathing sound -- suggesting to me that the carb pump was now working perhaps??? Anyway, the noise was new and fuel was definitely being pulled into the engine. I took the plug out again and there was fuel running out again... so no doubt that fuel is getting into the engine.

- All this being said, I still couldn't get the motor to pop, perhaps because of serious flooding. I've put everything away until it dries out and I will try again tomorrow.

- One lingering question is that if the spark plug is sparking and the carb is pulling fuel I am wondering if my fuel is OK....basic unleaded with the run in mix recommended.

Any views? Is there anything else I should be trying?

[sarawnty]

	Quote: Originally Posted by McFlymaster
	OK -just back from Europe and went out to try all the tips provided. - I opened the carb and I can say that the rubber pump flapper (or whatever that is called) was definitely stuck against the mounting plate and not looking like it was in any shape to flex or move. So I peeled it back and lubed it with some fuel to loosen it up. This seems to have worked. - I positioned the piston at top center and put the plug back in. - I then went through the starting sequence with no joy. There was still a non moving bubble in the fuel line. - Then my son had a good idea and we took a small nerf gun plunger and used it to pressurize the fuel tank. At this point fuel starting squirting out of the back of the carb....no doubt that bubbles were out of the fuel line. - I attempted a starting sequence, but I am certain that the system was flooded. - I took the plug out and a LOT of fuel spilled out of the head. - I dried things out as best I could and tried again. My son and I noticed a new noise --- like the engine had a breathing sound -- suggesting to me that the carb pump was now working perhaps??? Anyway, the noise was new and fuel was definitely being pulled into the engine. I took the plug out again and there was fuel running out again... so no doubt that fuel is getting into the engine. - All this being said, I still couldn't get the motor to pop, perhaps because of serious flooding. I've put everything away until it dries out and I will try again tomorrow. - One lingering question is that if the spark plug is sparking and the carb is pulling fuel I am wondering if my fuel is OK....basic unleaded with the run in mix recommended. Any views? Is there anything else I should be trying?

Hi,
What is your low-end needle set at?
Thx,
Steve

[McFlymaster]

Steve -- both needles are still on factory. I haven't changed either setting. dan

[sarawnty]

	Quote: Originally Posted by McFlymaster
	Steve -- both needles are still on factory. I haven't changed either setting. dan

Hi Dan,
Can you do me a small favor? Set the low to 1-3/8 and the high to 1-1/2 and try starting your 85.
Thx,
Steve

[McFlymaster]

Steve -- I will give this a try tomorrow. Thanks. dan

[sprice50]

I run mine on regular (87) fuel and 32:1 non-synth. Low 1, high 1.5

[McFlymaster]

This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how does one know where one is with respect to turning the needles....so, 1 and 7/8 is with respect to what? turned all the way in or out and then 1 and 7/8 revolutions in the opposite direction?

People also often say "factory settings" ...what are the factory settings for a DA 85?

dan

[sarawnty]

	Quote: Originally Posted by McFlymaster
	This is going to sound like a dumb question, but how does one know where one is with respect to turning the needles....so, 1 and 7/8 is with respect to what? turned all the way in or out and then 1 and 7/8 revolutions in the opposite direction? People also often say "factory settings" ...what are the factory settings for a DA 85? dan

Hi Dan,

Turn the needles all the way in but count how many turns until they become tight. This will tell you the factory settings. The needle closest to the engine is the low-speed needle and the needle furthest away is the high-speed needle. Then after you marked the factory settings down some where, back out the low-speed needle 1-3/8 turns and then back out the high-speed needle 1-1/2 turns out. I just want to see if this gets the engine to fire. I can explain why later if this works. If not, you may have a leaky cylinder base gasket.

Steve

[gareth.ky]

Turns are measured in turns out from the screw fully tightened. (Tighten screw and then loosen the number of turns. Tightening the screws closes off the fuel supply making things leaner. Xipp's carb tuning is a good read)

Factory settings are 1 1/2 and 1 1/2 turns out.

My motor seems to be happy at 1 1/4 low and 1 1/2 high. DA has told me they have trouble starting them with anything less than 1 1/4 on the low end and this has mostly been my experience. They will hot start at a leaner setting but cold starting is a problem.

I have had flooding problems with mine where gas just pours out of the cylinder when I remove the plug. If the motor floods and the plug gets wet it simply wont start until you take the plug out and dry it.

If you choke the motor and it doesn't "pop" after 3-4 flips just turn the choke off. Further choking will probably flood it. Once you turn the choke off if it doesn't start in about 5-6 flips it isn't going to start. Check for flooding.

I have flooded the engine several times out of stupidity. Not re-connecting the pickup sensor the last time I took the motor apart. Forgetting which way is choke. My choke handle runs out the front of the cowl; push for choke, pull for run.

HTH

[CRUISER]

Here in the Northwest we have 10% ethenol to contend with at the public pumps. I go the the distributor to get my fuel now, but if it had or will have ethenol fuel put in it you will need to get the new silicon based innerd's for your carb ! the diaphram and flap valves will harden up too where they just don't function any more. Some additives will do the same thing. My thought is take the carb apart and fix it properly, otherwise it may very well run lean in the air and either keep quiting or burn out. If it don't want to pump then you need to find and fix, not take chances with the outcome. these things can be deadly enough when all is good ! Jus my two cents worth