beemer328 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Hi all, I have just bought a 1997 XJ 600 s diversion, its immaculate with 12000 miles on it. In the last year it has done 30 miles and the year before about 100. when the owner started it before I went to look at it it would not tick over under 2500 revs he drained the carbs and then gave it a run and it now ticks over fine but is a little bit lumpy in the lower (up to about 3500 rpm) rev range. I am assuming the carbs need cleaning but I dont want to take them apart. Is there any petrol additive anyone can recomend that I could try to see if that would cure the problem before having to get the carbs cleaned. Thanks in advance, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obriens65 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Try Redex petrol system cleaner. Give it a double dose then go take it for a blast up the nearest motorway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Airhead Posted August 30, 2014 Moderator Share Posted August 30, 2014 chances are one of the pilot jets has clogged up, thats what happens when you dont use them enough...you may be able to pinpoint the offending carb from the heat of the exhaust headers when you first start her up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemer328 Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thanks for the info guys I will give em both a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elezdee25 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Do not be discouraged if none of those 2 work, cause i've been looking for solutions to a similar problem. I keep running into a similar answer to the question you have: it seems that those engines are very sleepy under 3000 or 3500 rpm but come to life after that. Nevertheless those are very sturdy and long-life engines and due to that such a "problem" can easily be forgiven. But if you get it solved (maybe my sources are not so reliable), I'll be very grateful and happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemer328 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 I have been using the redex and all seems ok apart from a bit lumpy on tickover, I have done around 600 miles since I started using redex. One thing I have noticed is that she is very clunky in the first 3 gears, is this natural on these bikes? the last service was about 130 miles ago but that was 2 years ago so I am going to do an oil and filter change this weekend and see if that improves it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator DirtyDT Posted September 9, 2014 Moderator Share Posted September 9, 2014 I wouldn't use redex. It will clear any build up in the cylinders and could lower the compression if they are worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemer328 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 Doh, Too late. Mind you at 12000 miles I wouldnt think they would be that worn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator drewpy Posted September 9, 2014 Moderator Share Posted September 9, 2014 my gears on the 91 xj600 engine is clunky as well. easier if you don't use the clutch on up shift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elezdee25 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I have been using the redex and all seems ok apart from a bit lumpy on tickover, I have done around 600 miles since I started using redex. One thing I have noticed is that she is very clunky in the first 3 gears, is this natural on these bikes? the last service was about 130 miles ago but that was 2 years ago so I am going to do an oil and filter change this weekend and see if that improves it. One would say that the "Clunk" is a sign of good gearbox (mostly associated with Kawasaki gearboxes) although these bikes make the driver sloppy and by the time you get to 100k+ km (60k+ miles) like i did, you'll get the "usual" problem of the bike periodically falling out of the 2nd gear when you try to accelerate very fast. Hey... that's after 60k miles... seems OK to me to have that problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemer328 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 sounds like I have no worries then, thanks guys. I must say the more miles I put on the better it is feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedRacerOnline Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 If you want to clean the carbs the easy way, get an ultrasonic cleaner from Harbor Freight. They just had it on sale plus a 20% coupon and you can get it for about $64. A couple guys on the XJRider forums have used it, and it works wonders. You have to detach the carbs as only 1 fits in at a time, but no real disassembly is required. Plus, it works great for cleaning lots of other things, too. Gonna get one myself here pretty soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slice Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 We don't have HARBOUR FREIGHT in the UK mate so unless you want to pay about 3 times the price in postage a bit of a none starter. Unless I missed them of course? The 4litre one from MAPLINS is £349.99 FFS! although you can pick up tiny ones (that clean jewelry) for about £40 or £50 but you have to tear everything done to get the bits inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedRacerOnline Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yeah, I dunno what the shipping is like. I know the UK guys on the other forums have talked about it, but I don't know if any of them has actually ordered one yet. Bummer! Well, there's always the Pine Sol soak method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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