CRF's Only Forums

Hi Guys,
I bought a 2003 230 a couple weeks ago. The previous owner had removed and lost the complete "spark arrestor assembly". I ordered and installed a stock one from honda yesterday. Now the bike runs pretty bad. Sputtering during acceleration... It has no air box mods btw.

Any recommendations on the stock setting for the fuel screw?

Thanks, JP

I have a 07 and the factory setting is 1 and 5/8 out. This is also for the 03 per my service manual. Which covers the 03's thru the 07's

Was the baffle out as well?
When you say no air box mods do you mean nothing was cut? Is the removable rectangular piece still on the top of the airbox under the seat?
I ask as it sounds like it’s been re-jetted for higher flow. Buy putting the baffle back in you would throw off the jetting causing it to run like crap.

BTW this should be in the 230F section

Oldtimer,
Yes the baffle, spark arrestor and end cap were all missing. I have replace all that (spark arrestor assembly)
Nothing was cut on the air box and the snorkel is in place. The owner said he did not rejet.

We went for a ride today and my carb drips fuel when I shut it down until I turn the fuel off. Still running pretty bad.

krisrtch,
Thanks for the setting - I'll try that. I have it at 1 1/4 turns out now.


Thanks, JP

oldtimer , krisrtch , did ya get to do any riding today

yup and compressed my ankles when I landed off a jump not to bad just a little swollen. going back out tomorrow

There is more wrong here than a twist of the screw…
If your dripping fuel one of 3 things is likely wrong:
Number one and easiest to check make sure everything is tight and all your tubes are in place and not clogged
Number two and most likely your float height is off.
Or three the viton tip on the float valve is worn allowing fuel to pass.

No riding today. Not for another month or so up here.

Oldtimer,
I think you are correct about the float being the issue.
I will check to make sure everything is tight first.

Is the float height controlled by an internal adjustment?

One more thing that comes to mind... The previous owner had let the bike sit for over a year and he did not drain the carb. Plus, when I bought it 2 weeks ago it did not leak gas from that carb (overflow?) tube. Could old gas varnish, water, or trash be the cause here?
Would a gas additive formulated for carbureted systems be worth a try?
I think worn viton tip may not be the issue because or the very low hours on (<20) on this bike.
Thanks for your help!
JP

I pulled the cap of the bottom of the carb and it is very dirty. Here is a link to an image...

http://rides.webshots.com/album/558353097idEGXn

JP

Slow Neutron wrote:I pulled the cap of the bottom of the carb and it is very dirty. Here is a link to an image...

http://rides.webshots.com/album/558353097idEGXn

JP

WOW!!!!

That carb is filthy.

You need to pull that thing and clean it completely. Also clean the airboot as well. A ton of dirt has gotten past that air filter so I would take a look at that as well.

The 230 engine is indestructable, but if you want to blow it up, that's how you do it.

Get cleaning.

I'm amazed it even runs...

~ wrote:

Slow Neutron wrote:I pulled the cap of the bottom of the carb and it is very dirty. Here is a link to an image...

http://rides.webshots.com/album/558353097idEGXn

JP

WOW!!!!

That carb is filthy.

You need to pull that thing and clean it completely. Also clean the airboot as well. A ton of dirt has gotten past that air filter so I would take a look at that as well.

The 230 engine is indestructable, but if you want to blow it up, that's how you do it.

Get cleaning.

I'm amazed it even runs...

Ditto.
That thing looks like the stuff out of a toilet drain. Remove the carb and clean completely with carb cleaner. Remove and drain and flush the gas tank and install an in line fuel filter from any motorcycle stop to stop and remaining crap in the tank from getting into the carb again. Replace the fuel line too.

Ok guys - I'll clean that carb!
Thanks for the pointers.
JP