Hard to start when warm

2002 kz 1000

starts good when just shut off for (gas fill up)

but when stopped and have a smoke and take some pictures (carry camara on bike all the time)
she gives me a fit some times.

would this be float levels off like its flooded or the old cars would vapor lock?
only does this when it sits for awhile warm motor

thanks for any help guys

Checked the valve clearances? a tight valve(no space between the cam and shim holder) will let out compression when the engine is hot.

Kawasaki Valve Clearance Checking

Point the lobe directly away from the bucket. Check the clearance. Swap shims if required, Spin the motor over a couple of times to fully seat the new shim and double check the clearance.

Set all valves to the maximum loose setting on both intake and exhaust. Your engine will rev better, the valves will have more time to cool because they'll spend more time on the seat.

The only time I would advise checking clearances between the bucket / shim and the base circle on the cam in any other position would be if you had an aftermarket cam and were checking for flaws.

With 4Valve head & rocker arm adjusters [screw and nut] loosen both locknuts and carefully adjust both lash screws at the same time. When you snug the locknut, you'll generally gain about .0005" in clearance.

That would be .002" ~ .004" (or 0.05mm ~ 0.10mm).

And .0045" would be just fine on the exhaust.

Actually, some folks prefer up to .006" or 0.15mm on the exhaust.

ah this dirty bitch did it agian tonight sat for about 45-50 min. after a ride and it was starting hard again. tried open throttle alittle nothing then choke nothing so i cranked the throttle some more and it fired off what is wrong i hate this shit.
i gettin pissed


so PLease Help me before they put me in a nut house............Thanks

P21 wrote: ah this dirty bitch did it agian tonight sat for about 45-50 min. after a ride and it was starting hard again. tried open throttle alittle nothing then choke nothing so i cranked the throttle some more and it fired off what is wrong i hate this shit.
i gettin pissed


so PLease Help me before they put me in a nut house............Thanks

Might possibly be something else, but the reported symptoms are consistent with insufficient valve clearances.

Meanwhile, would also assure proper functioning of the timing advancer, which might possibly be sticking in the advanced position after a ride, and which would contribute to difficult engine starting.

And consider installing four brand new NGKB8ES spark plugs.

Good Fortune!

What is the spark plug reading?

Has clear tube test been done to assure correct fuel levels?

Thanks Patton
thats what i was thinking advancer sticking
just put a new set plugs in her
and here are my readings from valve clearance

piston #1 in .005 out .002

piston #2 in .0025 out .003

piston #3 in .003 out .004

piston #4 in .004 out .002

P21 wrote: ...was thinking advancer sticking
just put a new set plugs in her
and here are my readings from valve clearance
piston #1 in .005 out .002
piston #2 in .0025 out .003
piston #3 in .003 out .004
piston #4 in .004 out .002

Clearances look okay.
.002 exhaust valve clearance is bordering on tight, but within spec, and most likely not an issue.

Just to confirm, is engine for sure combusting on all four cylinders, as proven by spraying water mist onto header pipes immediately after starting a cold engine?

Good Fortune!

yes sir with spray and pistol style heat thermantor (Laser)

i see i am heading to the Funny Farm soooooon..............lol

any one what my bikes when i go (jk)

Fresh clean air filter, not obstructed by anything stored under the seat (such a shop rag, gloves, etc.)?

Tried changing position of front wheel while experiencing the difficulty in starting?

While experiencing the difficulty in starting would also be a good time to remove a spark plug and visually observe the spark quality. Should be fat blue spark.

Still pondering.

Tried a different brand of sparkplug? I've had several NGK's fail right out of the box. If you can get the ones made in Japan, you're probably OK. I went with either Denso W24-ESU's or Accel #116 with no problems.

Along with these suggestions, since when you cranked farther on the throttle and it started. How about when it won't start see how wet the plugs are. Unscrew them and see if they are wet. Float/ fuel levels in the bowls, might be high, or as suggested spark might be weak. Checking for flooding, spark, and Fuel levels. Also with the heat of these motors, pressure builds in the Tank, try parking with the cap ajar, to vent the pressure. A lot of fumes comes out of mine, and they are Very Flammable so be careful, definitely no Smoking.