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Air mix issues Stella 2T manual

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:47 pm
by RichF
2005 Stella 2T manual with 6000 miles that I've owned for last 5 years and 4,000 miles. Always have an issue 2-3 times a year. This one, for the start of the new season, I'm guessing is it's not getting enough air. I can get the bike started with choke pulled out and can drive it that way (at least went into 1st and 2nd), however once the choke is pushed in it will quickly rev up a little then die. If I pull the choke back out in time it will continue to run but once it is pushed in, it will die. I have taken the carb out completely and cleaned everything (jets, needle, air filter, etc), I don't think this is a vapor lock/gas cap issue and the larger black perforated rubber tube supplying air top the carb was replaced last year and is firmly in place. When I put the carb back in I brought the back air/gas screw out 2.5 turns and the idle control out a few turns as well, but I can't seem to get a good mix of the two to keep it running with the choke in. I believe everything is stock parts and it's a Spaco labelled carb. Any ides on diagnosing would be welcome. Thanks

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:25 pm
by Sjenkinsdc
I had a similar issue on my 2003 2T Stella in 2018. It had sat for about a year. Same symptoms where it would only run with the choke pulled out.

I cleaned my carb and jets multiple times. I had a small tear in my air box intake and fixed that. Blew compressed air through all the jets, but nothing seemed to work. I used an ultrasonic cleaner too.

Eventually I bought a new carb to see if it truly was something wrong with the carb. It was. Now I’m running with the new carb and that’s that.

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 6:28 pm
by 2003stellaDave
Be sure to check the air filter too. Give it a good clean if needed.

The carb is held on by two black bolts. Loosen them and then tighten the carburetor down securely.

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:46 pm
by Mr.FixIt
If you intend to loosen the fastening bolts, I'd make sure the gasket are good. When you cleaned the carb, did you use new gaskets? I like brake cleaner over carb cleaner. It doesn't leave any oily residue. Make sure the float is floating and the float valve is operating well.

Observe the torque specs on those two fastening bolts on the carb. The carb body will deform if those bolts are over-torqued. (Don't ask me how I know) Buy or make a new base gasket.

In those 6000 miles, has the combustion chamber ever been de-coked? Check the cylinder walls while de-coking the head.

Have you checked the compression? I only got about 5000 miles out of my 2T before the Indian crankshaft big-end bearing self-destructed. Score marks on the cylinder wall will be the giveaway.

Let us know how you make out.

Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2020 10:20 pm
by RichF
I put new gaskets in last time I took the carb out late last ridng season. The float was replaced at that time too and the needle was working when I took out the carb this time.

I've never done anything to the combustion chamber (not sure I'd know what to do) so I can't speak to any de-coking or condition of cylinder walls. also I don't have the tools to do a compression check.