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Hard Starting Z
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Posted by: Iliketogofast

My 2003 Z400 is very hard to get started after I haven't ridden it for a while... Are there any jetting changes or other fixes I could make to help to correct this?

Posted by: woodsZrider

is it turning over slow or what??
or does it just crank and crank...

Posted by: Iliketogofast

Nah... It just takes forever to start. It takes like 5 minutes.

Posted by: woodsZrider

Posted by: Lolli2

Try cleaning your carb. If your pilot jet gets gunked up, you will have a tough time starting it, and or, getting it to idle. Just remember, when cleaning your jets, use only carb cleaner and compressed air. Don't stick anything in there to clear gunk out of the holes in the jet.

This is stock, right?

Posted by: i-zapp

my Z is the same way. if i havent run it a while it takes forever to even cough a single time. once started, no problem. even several days later. but if i leave it for more than a few weeks, same thing all over again. it's killed my battery.

seems like it's getting no fuel, or the fuel in the carb has become "stale" (lost its light ends) and won't vaporize. maybe i'll try running it out of fuel with the fuel valve off, then a month later turn the fuel on to fill the float bowl and see if it'll start.

curious though if anyone else has had this problem.

Posted by: drzoo2

Have you checked your valve lash lately? Hard starting is a symptom of a cupped valve. Curious it will start right up though after it finally fires.

Anyway check your lash which should be done periodically anyhow.

z

Posted by: jherbie28

also check to see if it could be something as stupid as a fouled plug

Posted by: Z-Rider86

After it has set for quite a while you are supposed to turn your gas valve off the regular vacume to free flow.

Posted by: LRD450R

wile you are craking on it will try to start if is my buddy hade the same proble and he change plugs and jets and now it starts right up and he pumps the gas a few times before starting