Kwasaki 400 eliminator wont start, cleaned out carbs,checked spark,tried most basic things. will start only if carb air filter is blocked up

Hi Todd:
Here's a couple of things I would do.
1) See if there is a drain plug on the carb, If there is, drain it so that you will be getting fresh fuel into it.
2) Remove the air filter cover, then remove the air filter make sure it is clean. Replace if it's really bad.
3) Squirt a bit of fresh gas into the throat of the carb, put the air filter back in place, and try to start. Usually it will be good and run. If it doesn't, youre not getting spark. If it runs a bit and then dies, you're not getting gas. Try the prime trick a few times. If it still won't keep running you'll need to take the carb apart and clean it.

First, clean and set the carb.. replace the air filter, install a new spark plug after you have the carb v cleaned and set. Check to make sure your tank/petcock is not stopped up and gad flows freely to the carb, Do this and repost.

Only 3 things to check air, fuel and spark. Check your spark by removing your left spark plug cap and place an old plug in it, then touch it to the side of the block. Crank the engine if you see a spark then, move to the right hand side and do the same. If you have spark on both sides, then both coils should be OK. If no or very weak spark, your coils could be faulty.
If you have good spark, check your air filter see if it is clean. If it looks dirty it is dirty and won't flow good air. If it is oily then your pcv is blocked.
If clean and good, then check fuel. First thing to check is, is there any fuel in carb bowl. On bottom of the bowl should be an allen head screw, undo it only until fuel comes out, check all four (one at a time). If no or very little fuel, then maybe your needle and seat are worn or stuck. lightly tap each offending carb and see if fuel comes out. If fuel starts to flow, shut off screw, do all carbs the same way. Try to restart bike, if it starts and stalls. You will need to replace all 4 needles and seats. Kawasaki's are notorious for dropping carbs.

white mould inside the carb is water and oil mixing together which shouldnt happen have you checked the air box to see if the filter is blocked that would let in water or do you have a k+n? which again could be blocked
have you checked the spark plug it might need replacing remove it and place it on the engine and kick the bike you should get a nice fat spark if you dont then replace it while you have it out what does it look like? oily means the air screw neeeds turning in 1/2 a turn white and powdery means air screw 1/2 turn out
give these things a try and charge the battery and it should start


hope this helps

John

Hey Cb.
An engine needs three things to run..(assuming all internals are good)

1. A properly timed spark
2. Adequate compression
3. Proper air/fuel ratio

Now, start eliminating one at a time...once they are all correct, the engine will run..

ps. have a qualified professional clean and set the carb...

When a bike won't start, if it was running well last time you rode, there are three things to check spark, gas and air. First make sure you have a spark to plugs, also remove plugs and check that they are clean and not worn. Second check that fuel line is on and clear, drain carb bowls to get bad gas and water out. Third check that air filter is clean. If it still won't start and air and spark are good, go back and make sure carb jets are moving freely.

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Fuel starvation - 'lean fuel' condition
Basic things to check:
1) spark plug
2) spark arrestor in muffler
3) fuel lines and tank filter
4) turn adjustment needles out (counterclockwise) 1/4 to 1/2 turn
Chain Saws:
5) check impulse tube and intake boot for cracks or leaks
*if all of the above are OK and/or do not improve performance then:
Remove Carburetor
6) replace gaskets/diaphragms
a) use a spray carb cleaner to clean jets, holes, and body of carb
b) fuel pump diaphragm goes against the carb body,
then the gasket towards the outside
c) metering gasket goes against the carb body,
and the diaphragm goes towards the outside

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/rolandw_c013176d62ee17ae

Go to the dealer and ask for the stock plugs for your bike. Check for spark on each of the new plugs then install the plugs.

Remove the carbs , dissemble it and clean the varnish out. Remove the petcock, ( gas valve ),water trap and clean it out. Next let one cup of gas flow into a container. Any water or rust in the bottom of the container? If any rust was in the water trap or the container then purchase an inline fuel filter to eliminate the rust getting into the carb.

If cleaning the carbs yourself does not do the trick then take it to the dealer and have them clean it and install carb kits. This should eliminate the carbs as a problem. Get a new air filter and install it.

Now you have spark, gas and air. If it still will not start it is likely that you need new crank seals. On a bike that old you may well need new crank bearings as well.

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Sounds like a bad battery. Try charging overnight with a 1 or 2 amp charger.
If this doesn't help then go to the dealer and ask for the stock plugs for your bike. Check for spark on each of the new plugs then install the plugs.

Remove the carbs , dissemble it and clean the varnish out. Remove the petcock, ( gas valve ),water trap and clean it out. Next let one cup of gas flow into a container. Any water or rust in the bottom of the container? If any rust was in the water trap or the container then purchase an inline fuel filter to eliminate the rust getting into the carb.

If cleaning the carb yourself does not do the trick then take it to the dealer and have them clean it and install a carb kit. This should eliminate the carb as a problem. Get a new air filter and install it.

Now you have spark, gas and air. If it still will not start it is likely that you need new crank seals. On a bike that old you may well need new crank bearings as well.

Go to the dealer and ask for the stock plug for your bike. Check for spark on the new plug then install the plug.

Remove the carb , dissemble it and clean the varnish out. Remove the petcock, ( gas valve ),water trap and clean it out. Next let one cup of gas flow into a container. Any water or rust in the bottom of the container? If any rust was in the water trap or the container then purchase an inline fuel filter to eliminate the rust getting into the carb.

If cleaning the carb yourself does not do the trick then take it to the dealer and have them clean it and install a carb kit. This should eliminate the carb as a problem. Get a new air filter and install it.

Now you have spark, gas and air. If it still will not start it is likely that you need new crank seals.