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Message started by jmg967 on 09/16/08 at 17:36:27

Title: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/16/08 at 17:36:27

Hello everyone,
So, after much research I decided to buy a used Savage as my starter bike. I found a 2002 with 4k miles in my price range and bought it a few days ago. Unfortunately, now it does not like running. When I try and start it it just turns over and over but never gets going. Sometimes I can get it to start by giving it some gas and playing with the choke settings, but even after it is running and I take it for a spin, it will die on me once I stop or let up off the gas, or even put on the clutch to change to a lower gear :-/. After it sat for a day yesterday it started right up no prob, but then died shortly after at a stop sign. Anyone have any idea what is going on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 09/16/08 at 17:42:20

A little more info about the bike will help. Such as, how long has it set prior to your purchasing it.

Try turning the idle up first. If that doesn't work, get back to us.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/16/08 at 18:54:22

It wasn't sitting (at least, so I am told) as the guy I bought it from used it to commute to and from work. When I test drove it, it ran perfectly fine for quite a while (I got lost in his neighborhood while testing it).

I will try messing with the idle, would the info for how to do that be in the service manual? From reading it, it suggests numerous causes of the problem, so I figured I would try and get a real persons opinion before trying any repairs. Thanks!

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by verslagen1 on 09/16/08 at 20:22:25

Agree with Sandy I do, turn up the idle speed you will.

And if you crank it for too long, you'll run the battery down and it won't start even though the starter still cranks.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by Robertomoe on 09/16/08 at 23:03:21

7B7C76282726110 wrote:

the carb has a hand screw on the left side. It just stops the slide attatched to the throttle cable.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/17/08 at 17:58:32

Ok, so I played around with the settings and got it running alright enough for a second, but then it died on me again at another stop sign, and hasn't been able to start since. I have it sitting on a battery charger, and have tried it out with no luck. It doesn't seem to be the battery, but I have no idea what else it could be keeping it from starting. My service book says to test the spark plug, but I cant get the dang gas tank off after following all the directions. Any other ideas before I bite the bullet and take it to a repair shop?

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by serowbot on 09/17/08 at 18:08:46

A common problem with Savages, is a vacuum line leak.
There are two hoses that go from the petc0ck to the carb,...the one on the left, or choke side is gas,...the one on the right is vacuum only, it should have absolutely no gas in it. Check that line. If you find gas, you have found the problem.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/17/08 at 21:57:04

How much gas in it?

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/17/08 at 22:26:28

Gas tank is almost full, and there was no gas in the vacuum line that I noticed when I took the hose off while trying to check the spark plug by taking off the gas tank. The tank would not come off though, seemed to be catching on something, although I followed the instructions for taking it off to a tee.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by EssForty on 09/18/08 at 03:14:07

Removing the tank can be a bit tricky. To get mine off I pull it back a couple inches, then twist it gently towards the left. You can't just pull it straight up, or straight back. (I assume you removed the carb fuel & vac lines and the speedo cable.) There is also a wiring harness under the tank that you'll have to disengage to remove the tank completely.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by LANCER on 09/18/08 at 06:50:33

Have you tried putting the tank valve in the "prime" position ? That will eliminate the vacuum controled fuel supply, and any associated problem with that. If it runs properly in the prime position then you will know that there is a problem with the tank valve.
There may still be issues with the carb though.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/21/08 at 23:40:42

OK, finally got everything apart and the spark plug replaced. Put it back together, and it started right up no prob. After adjusting the idle like yall suggested, it ran great for the rest of the day :).

Next day, starts doing the same thing, dieing out on me when I put in the clutch and come to a stop. Have to really try to get it to start, but I have a feeling that it won't be starting at all soon, just like before. So, the problem must be more serious. When I took out the old spark plug it smelled heavily of gasoline and was totally black, but otherwise I have no clue whats going on. Any ideas?

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by EssForty on 09/22/08 at 06:52:18

When you parked it was it still on PRI or did you flip it back to ON or RES?

When it died on you was it in ON or PRI?

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by jmg967 on 09/22/08 at 09:47:03

The gas was set to ON while it was parked, and also ON when it died on me.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by Moofed on 09/22/08 at 12:06:28

I'm thinking you should check the carb float level. Inspect the air filter too, just for good measure.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by EssForty on 09/22/08 at 12:20:16

Here's some things I would try:

1) Remove and inspect the vacuum line from end to end for cracks, splits, anything that would allow the vacuum to leak. You'll need to take off the slinky wrap to look at it closely.

2)If the ends are split or cracked, you may be able to cut off the bad part and reattach the remainder. Sometimes this is all it takes, but the downside is that you end up with the same crappy stock hose.

3) For a whopping $1 or less, you can go to an auto parts store and buy a foot of thicker quality vacuum line that will work as well and last longer. You should also splurge and get good clips for the ends as well. Either measure the ID of the line or take it with you and they can match it for you.

4) With the engine OFF, test the petc0ck by grabbing a very clean container and put the fuel line into it. Turn it to PRI and it should flow. Turn it to ON or RES and it should stop very quickly once the line drains. If the fuel does not switch on with PRI or off when you go to RES or ON, then your petc0ck is not working right. You'll need to remove it and inspect it.

5) If the petcock functions normally with the engine off, reattach the fuel line, recheck your vacuum line clamps and go for a short ride. If it still cuts off on you then your next place to look would be the carb float.

6) They're all pretty quick checks but any one of them can bite you.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by mentaka on 09/23/08 at 06:04:16

Could it be a spark plug / lead problem?

Mine plays up like that when damp/wet going at sow speeds as water is thrown up from front wheel to spark plug lead.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by EssForty on 09/23/08 at 18:15:11

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a wet or faulty spark plug wire. It is worth inspecting it. If he finds he has good fuel flow from the petc0ck, a carb float that works properly, a clean air filter, and proper idle speed then intermittent spark could be the next culprit.

Title: Re: Problems with my Savage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/23/08 at 21:39:13

Would an inductive timing light show it? Seems it oughta,