Cold start problems

graff · Post by **graff** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:48 pm

I would be grateful for some help re cold staring on my firestorm. On cold days bike won't start without a lot of encouragement. This generally involves turning off the lights, and a combination of pushing the starter and pulling out the choke at the same time. If I'm lucky after a couple of turns it will fire, if unlucky this process flattens the battery, such that the starter turns v slowly or not at all, although the starter realy can be heard to click. I have tried numerous things, new battery, new reg/rectifier, refurbised starter, optimate. Any suggestions... Cheers

RQ · Post by RQ » Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:53 pm

At night mine is in a garage and starts fine no matter what temp it is outside.
During the day it is parked uncovered outside the office and is a bitch to keep running when it starts.
My answer? Cold petrol. Try putting a fuel additive in, might help, seemed to help mine.

Bink · Post by **Bink** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:30 pm

You could check the Spark plugs as well. If they are old or dirty they might need changing/cleaning ...
I heard that wrapping an old sleeping bag around the petrol tank at night could make a difference as the petrol won't get as cold. So try tucking in your baby before you go to sleep...

RQ · Post by RQ » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:42 pm

When I was away from home, I used drape the sleeping bag over the tank, and over the engine on both sides, then the bike cover over that. Made a difference in the real cold all right.

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 5:05 pm

Mine is very slow to turn over in the cold weather as well.

I talked to the bike shop and they said that the oil get so thick when it's cold it makes it a lot harder for the engine to turn over.
Mine normally lets out a loud back fire after a lot of slow turning over then bursts into life.
I thought it might have been the battery, but when I had my wrist opp and couldn't ride for over 4 weeks in sept and Oct it started first time.

I am sure the dealer is right about the thick oil.

He did mention using an Optimate battery charger/manager.
I just have not got round to getting one yet.

iggy1966 · Post by **iggy1966** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:35 am

Seem to remeber this sort of thread from last year, some one having trouble and it turned out to be the connection onto the starter motor at the front of the engine being corroded, might be worth a look.

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 8:59 am

Met a Guy on a Harley whilst out about town yesterday. We where having a chin wag about bikes and so on and then he asked me if I was having any problems with tick over on cold mornings.
He reccomened "HarlyDavidson Idle Boost" said he was using it in his since the coldweather and it was starting better and ticking over just great.
I picked some up from the Local Harly Dealer on the way home (Â£5.12) splashed the recommended amount into the tank and it started first time this morning.
Try it, it seems to work and no "cut out" at traffic lights

Pete.l

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:10 pm

Decided to give thebike a bit of a christmas prezzie today. Popped down the local Bike shop and picked up some oil, filter, a couple of plugs and treated myself to some new vacuum gauges

Didn't look at what I had bought untill I got home and of course as soon as I opened the bag i realised they had stuck the wrong plugs in there.

The letters were the same but the number had changed.
Instead of DRP9EV I had Been given DRP8EV. This jogged an old memory from my old RF900 days and how it would never go on cold mornings. I ran off to the old pile of manuals I keep (I like to think it's good referance material and I'm not a sad Old Get, thankyou

)
Low and behold the DRP8 is a hotter running plug recommended for cold start and winter use.

Stick that in your Storm and Spark it Baby!!!
They worked a treat in the RF. I'll let you know how they go(or don't ) in the Storm

Pete.l

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:34 am

Good point Pete.never occured to me...........just like the old days...........used to whip em out every week, check the tappets.
Remember fitting Dunlop Red Arrows and TT100's.
Now wheres me flying jacket............

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:51 am

Paul said

Remember fitting Dunlop Red Arrows and TT100's.

WHats that????
Could I be younger than I thought

or has New Years picked my brain beyond repair?

Pete.l

RAINMAKER · Post by **RAINMAKER** » Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:23 am

Sorry young un................you just look older