Parked little Suzi in front of the house a few days ago and didn't use it for about four or five days. It was running a little rough (getting progressively rough) when I parked it. Tried to start it yesterday and no-joy, it would crank but not fire. Couldn't believe it - she has never let me down before. Took #1 plug out and it was a little dark, but I had a good spark. Disconnected the fuel line near the carb and I had fuel. Fuel shutoff solenoid had power with the key on and I can hear the fuel pump clicking away. I'm really starting to scratch my head now and I'm thinking I have a carb problem. I got some ether (starting fluid) and sprayed a two second burst into the carb intake and cranked - nothing :frustration: - I was amazed. Took all three plugs out and found #2 plug was a little fouled and #3 (farthest to the rear) was really ugly. Cleaned up the plugs and reinstalled and she started up almost immediately. So now the question is why are the plugs fouling? It might be a sticking choke or who knows what. The easiest thing to do might be to clean the plugs every year . Suzi isn't on the highway but only makes short trips around our 30 acres.
I think you might have answered the question yourself. If you only drive it for short little trips it doesn't heat up enough to burn the crud off the plugs(valves and piston tops too). You may want to run a cleaning additive thru it. Most members here suggest using Seafoam.
Mr. John I concur with Oldmachinist. I just finished a carb. kit on a DD51T. I did notice choke not work 100 % before the rebuild. I also notice when I removed the coolant lines off the carb. there was some junk growing inside. Cleaned that out and when I finished carb. watched the choke function when I first started it. Looked better. Might want to check your fluid lines on carb. as well. Rodger on the seafoam.
fouled plugs John, I like to concur with people that concur........ Anyway, OldMachinist and TRAX and HORNS replies both seem (to me) to correctly address the issue with fouled plugs. If you aren't running the engine long enough at operating temp it won't be able to burn the plugs clean. Also as T&H mentioned if the coolant lines that run through the choke are partially clogged it won't allow your choke to properly/timely/fully open up. This would also allow your plugs to foul. Prob preaching to the choir here but: "The Mikuni is an unusual carburator, with a nonstandard choke setup: Basically, engine coolant passes into/through a chamber in the choke housing on the carb to heat a paraffin pellet which pushes against a piston. This piston opposes a rather strong spring, which opens and closes the choke via a gear system. If the piston freezes up, due to either the coolant hoses getting clogged (keeping the paraffin pellet from being heated) or the linkage gets bent/maladjusted this would either make it run bad cold - but ok when engine is warmed up (stuck/maladjusted open), or make it run really rich and smoke black with a high idle (stuck/maladjusted closed)." The above is out of a U.S. version Mits manual, but could be applicable to your Suzi. Another possibility would be to swap to a hotter plug. Go from DCPRE7E to one notch hotter (DCPRE6E). If you mainly use it for short trips on your property this might allow for slightly hotter/cleaner burning of fuel with less plug fouling. Also a periodic dose of Seafoam can't hurt........later, slim
Many thanks! Thanks guys for the advice! I read about the coolant into the choke thing in another post and I need to inspect for that possible problem. Going to a hotter plug is also an excellent idea. Hi Terry - did you guys have any cold weather last week ?
hmm interesting post. sounds like you need to let her idle some more before you take off! yes seafoam works wonders, but what about the coolant lines? anyone know of a nice cleaner-outer?
What is this seafoam stuff and what is it for? Also where do I get plugs and air filter for my '92 Scarry? Mine is doing this exact same thing.
The site sponsors will have parts available. Buy a 'real' Japanese replacement air filter and don't try to substitute something that looks close. My plugs responded well to a cleaning with a wire brush and a little sandpaper. Don't have a clue what Seafoam is, but I guess I need to look for some.
Stuff99: Just use any quality/brand of your choice radiator cleaner and flush your system according to directions. However, If the coolant is really nasty I would physically take the coolant lines loose at the carb and make sure they are clear/not clogged (this is in ref to carbs on Kei trucks not for your diesel - never could find the carb on my diesel engines). windyhill: Since you live in eastern PA and you drive limited amounts/distance on your property (similar to John) you could be experiencing the same thing. Probably your engine doesn't get up to operating temp long enough to burn cleanly or to allow the choke to fully open. Go with advice posted on this thread. And go with John's advice on the air filters (OEM from sponsers), as far as plugs check with NAPA, Autozone, Discount Auto etc. John and windyhill: If you do a search for seafoam at the top you will find several threads about this product as well as members results in using it. Hope this helps............later, slim
Mr. John Oh Yea, it got down to 9 at our place in Blanco and 23 in town. The tanks were froze up for 3 days and I stayed inside. I tried to go out and work one day but that wind ate me up. Hopefully we'll get rid of some bugs. I'll be blowing though Harper next week, got to go get some more trucks in Ca. Cheers.
We did pretty well - 15 was our low. Blew some PVC plumbing at one of my stock tanks. Antelope did okay - thankfully there were no babies on the ground (that we're aware of anyway.) Have a safe trip - honk twice when you pass Ranch Road 479 & US 290 (five miles west of Harper.)
Slimbad: lol thanks. was thinking more for dad's subaru. wonder how well that works for the little lines in the carb etc.
Will Not Start! I had the same problem a few weeks ago with my Suzuki Carry. Poor idling one day and left it sit for a week and it would not turn over. Checked plug, cap and good spark everywhere check fuel got fuel to carb. The choke was the problem as others had posted. The lines were clogged solid to the carb. I cleaned out the lines, flushed the whole system out with hot water and refilled with new anti-freeze. Starts right up no problem now and the choke is functioning properly again.
