1986 KDX200 Carb Problems

[DevonObrien]

Hello everyone,

So I am a bit new to this site (just signed up today) and I figured you all would be the best people to go to. I have a 1986 KDX200, I love the bike and there seems to be one problem. Whenever we start the bike, it goes for about five minutes and then just dies. My father is a mechanic and he said he thinks there is a problem with the Carb of the read valves. We have tried to fix it, never worked. So my main question is if someone can link the carb I need to buy for the bike or tell me the model number for it. Or if you can give any advice that would be nice, thanks!

Regards,
Devon Obrien

[kawagumby]

If it runs OK for a full five minutes, and it is fuel related, it would likely be either the float needle is sticking closed, or there is a blocked gas tank vent. If it is electrical, it means you likely have a problem with thermal expansion in a solid state device that is opening the circuit. Does it rev up before it dies? If so, it is likely a fuel issue.

[DevonObrien]

At random times it just wont start to. It will kick over for about thirty seconds at times and that's it. It has revved up before dieing, but we fixed that issue. The only other guess we could say was the carb. And even if it isn't would it bad to buy a new carb for it?

[kawagumby]

I think you need to go through the process of checking to see if the spark plug is wet or dry. If it won't start and the plug is wet, check to see if there is spark. If dry, it is likely a fuel issue. Buying a new carb would be the last thing I would do -
One thing on these older bikes, a lot of gunk gets built-up in the tank - it could be that there is a problem with jets getting clogged. I'd clean the carb thoroughly and put an in-line filter in the gas line before trying again.

Good luck!

[KDXGarage]

Check other stuff before resorting to buying a new carb.

Check the in tank filter that is part of the fuel petcock. Perhaps an o-ring has broken and is blocking fuel flow?

Which plug are you using?