Comments on: Is a dirty air filter enough to keep a motorcycle engine from starting?

By: ddrum

ddrum — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

I seriously doubt it, especially on a street bike.

By: ken k

ken k — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

yep

By: sk3tchy5ubz

sk3tchy5ubz — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

if it was completley block yes it would but a bit of dirt isn’t really gonna do much but make it run rich .. it sounds like you may not have a mechanical problem and maybe a electrical problem.. maybe your immobiliser or alarm settings have gone funny.. thats if you have these

By: Rod A

Rod A — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

YES. It also wont take long to flood either with hardly any air getting in. I am surprised you have not done this already… checking compressions and plugs etc is harder than checking the filter!! would have done that first. Try starting it with the air filter removed.
Also have you checked fuel is getting to the plugs or just presuming they are sparking because you put an old plug on the HT lead? Are the plugs wet with fuel? Could be a fault with a tank stop tap have you removed the carb feed pipe and actually seen fuel pouring out? If not, drain the tank and remove the stop tap, there is usually a fine mesh filter that could be blocked stopping the fuel getting to the carbs and then the plugs. Cheers

By: aaron b

aaron b — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

Yes sir it would. You only need fuel, air, and spark to start it. Take away any of those three and it just sits there making you scratch your head.

By: Sway

Sway — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

Absolutely.

But, check all the wiring. I mean all cables/wires—not if they are connected–but for damage–keep in mind, wiring can be damaged under the protective plastic/rubber housing. You have everything else working correctly–I would definitely change air/oil filters and go from top to bottom inspecting wiring.

To answer your main question on dirty air-filters……..A dirty (clogged) air filter will shut down any vehicle and create other expensive motor damage.

By: J

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

It could prevent the engine from firing but the filter would have to be filthy. A way you can test it is to remove the filter from the intake and try to start it, if it starts there’s your problem (just don’t drive it w/out a filter)

When you say the fuel pump is working fine, have you actually had it pressure tested? Just because you can see gas squirting out the line doesn’t mean that it is at appropriate pressure. A drop of 5% in fuel pressure would be enough to stop the bike firing up, and a drop that little is something that you would never be able to spot with your eyes.

Hope this helps

By: dale b

dale b — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

Not usually. I’d check the timing first. An engine needs fuel, spark, compression, and air to run. The timing of that spark has to be spot on for it to actually function. Good luck.

By: modelplus2000

modelplus2000 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

IF YOU THINK IT’S THE AIR FILTER JUST TAKE IT OUT AND TRY TO START IT.

By: Buster Brown

Buster Brown — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

Yes, but I would not expect the filter on a street bike to get that dirty.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:20:57 +0000

i doubt it unless you were going offroad. sounds like you got bigger problems, i would put a new air filter in, even if thats not the problem when you do finally get it running that will increase performance