[Out420]

My '03 230, all stock, is giving me a headache. It's been setting for a while (several months), and now it's very hard to start and once I get it started, it won't stay running. I just put in a new Ready filter, drained the float bowl and put in some fresh 93 octane fuel. It takes several attempts with the button to get it started, I even try all three choke settings. I eventually do get it started, but it won't idle, I have to crack the throttle to keep it running. While it is running, it sounds like it's popping through the exhaust. It did backfire loudly once today while I was trying to start it, first time it's done that. After warmup, I put the choke in C position and let off throttle, it will idle kind of rough for 10-15 seconds and then shutoff. Any ideas to the cause and how to fix?

Shop manual says it could be too lean a fuel mixture. I forgot to drain the carb the last time I rode it (last fall). Could the jets be gunked up, keeping it from running right? Is there a way to clean them without removal from the carb (ie fuel additive)?

Thanks for your help.

[Asmith]

It is most definately the pilot (slow) jet.

It is clogged. Remove it and clean it thoroughly or put in a new one. The 230 responds very well to a new #48 pilot jet.

If you are feeling ambitious, do the power up mods while you are in there. Makes a huge difference in power output and ridability.

Main Jet: 132, Honda part # 99113-GHB-1320

Needle: power up, Honda part #16012-KPS-921

Pilot Jet: 48, Honda part # 99103-KPT-0480

[Out420]

Thanks for the response. What's the best way to clean it? Soak it in some sort of solvent or squirt it with carb cleaner or something?

[Asmith]

Thanks for the response. What's the best way to clean it? Soak it in some sort of solvent or squirt it with carb cleaner or something?

Remove it from carb, soak in Carb cleaner or Lacquer thinner and blow it out backwards with compressed air.

( or buy a new # 48 from your Honda dealer for $ 7.00)

[ship_killer6666]

valve?

[crf100rider21]

i'm thinkin if it's not kets it's spark plug or valves.

[Out420]

The bike has maybe 10 easy hours on it, if it's the valves then it's a total piece of crap and all you guys should sell yours.

I thought about the plug wire, I pulled it off and found that the insulator end of the plug had a threaded piece sticking up, I thought that maybe the round fitting that threads onto it (like I'm used to seeing on cars) came off up in the boot, but when I put the wire back on the plug it sounds like there is some sort of positive catch that is locking on the threaded shaft, so maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.

My money's on the pilot jet. That would definitely cause the lean condition that would lead to backfires.

[Asmith]

I don't know anyone who has ridden their 230 enough to go through the valves. These are low compression, low revving engines. They are NOT prone to valve failure or maintenance.

It is not the valves or the plug. It IS the pilot jet.

I wouldn't bother cleaning the old one. I would put in a new 48. Makes its start easier, warm up quicker, and gives a little more power from idle.

Remember, this carb has no accelerator pump. The pilot does all the work until the needle hits.

[Out420]

Will it hurt anything changing the pilot jet if I don't do any other mods (ie open up the airbox or exhaust)?

[Asmith]

No.

But if the bike is something you are gonna spend some time on, the power up mods are well worth the time and expense.

Takes about an hour to do and costs about $ 35-40.

No better mod for the money.

[Out420]

Thanks for your help, ~. My ultimate goal is to prep this bike to be sold as I have gotten a bigger bike, but hard start/rough idle are not good selling points. I would prefer to do this as cheap as possible, but I may still go pick up the 48 tomorrow.

Looking at my shop manual, it looks like it will be as easy as pulling the bottom of the carb off, removing the pilot jet, installing the new one and buttoning it back up. Am I missing something? I think I will have to remove the carb from the bike so I can see what I'm doing, though. Will I have to mess with the pilot screw any?

One other quick question, though. I stated in the first post that I had just installed a new Ready air filter. This filter feels like it is a lot thinner than stock, and may be less restrictive. If it is that much more less restrictive, could that cause the lean condition that I suddenly started having that could be corrected with an adjustment to the pilot screw?

[Asmith]

You might give it a try. Screw it all the way in, count the number of turns to bottom out. Back the screw out two full turns. Start the adjustment there.

You should be able to change the jets, if needed, while the carb is still in place. You can loosen the carb boots and twist it to get better access.

[the hawk]

My Bike Did The Same I Just Adjusted My Idle

[Out420]

( or buy a new # 48 from your Honda dealer for $ 7.00)

Where are you getting your picing from? My local dealer quoted me $24.00 for it. I've seen it online for around $17. For some reason (probably because it increases their profit margin), the 48 is more expensive than the other sizes.

I think I will mess with the adjustment screw some, and maybe squirt some carb cleaner in through the airbox, and if that doesn't work remove the jet and soak it.

[Asmith]

Try yeltirk.com

I think it was $ 7.73 when we bought it.