SuzukiSavage.com - Problems with my Savage

jmg967

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 11

Problems with my Savage
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 Undecided

. 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!

Back to top

IP Logged

Sandy Koocanusa Serious Thumper Offline Don't blame me. I didn't vote for him. Posts: 1878 Bigfork, MT Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #1 - 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.
Back to top	Savage: (adj)1. Wild 2. Uncivilized : Primitive 3. Ferocious 4. Cruel or merciless : Brutal --- Webster's. (n.) 1. A motorcycle named for its seat.--- Sandy's unabridged IP Logged

jmg967

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 11

Re: Problems with my Savage
Reply #2 - 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!

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #3 - 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.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

Bobbert

Serious Thumper

Offline

CHOP IT

Posts: 836
Los Angeles, CA
Gender: male

Re: Problems with my Savage
Reply #4 - 09/16/08 at 23:03:21

jmg967 wrote 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!

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

Back to top

In progress- 1996 Savage: solo seat, pod filter, open exhaust, and custom bars, fender, wiring, paint.

IP Logged

jmg967

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 11

Re: Problems with my Savage
Reply #5 - 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?

Back to top

IP Logged

Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28637 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #6 - 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.
Back to top	Ludicrous Speed !... ... ... IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #7 - 09/17/08 at 21:57:04 How much gas in it?
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged

jmg967 YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #8 - 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.
Back to top	IP Logged

EssForty

Senior Member

Offline

Sunshine, Surf &
Suzuki

Posts: 382
Melbourne, FL
Gender: male

Re: Problems with my Savage
Reply #9 - 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.

Back to top

06 S40, Deuce shield, OEM saddlebags & Engine Guard, ENM tach, Sigma 1106 Speedo, oil pressure & voltage gauges, grip puppies, Kuryakyn Ellipse mirrors, ISO pegs & throttle boss

IP Logged

LANCER Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Savage Beast Performance Parts Posts: 10661 Oklahoma Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #10 - 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.
Back to top	IP Logged

jmg967

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 11

Re: Problems with my Savage
Reply #11 - 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?

Back to top

IP Logged

EssForty Senior Member Offline Sunshine, Surf & Suzuki Posts: 382 Melbourne, FL Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #12 - 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?
Back to top	06 S40, Deuce shield, OEM saddlebags & Engine Guard, ENM tach, Sigma 1106 Speedo, oil pressure & voltage gauges, grip puppies, Kuryakyn Ellipse mirrors, ISO pegs & throttle boss IP Logged

jmg967 YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 11	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #13 - 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.
Back to top	IP Logged

Moofed Full Member Alliance Member Offline ...and the engine just gleams... Posts: 148 Bloomington, Indiana Gender:	Re: Problems with my Savage Reply #14 - 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.
Back to top	IP Logged