Runs bad in cold weather

oldman · Post by **oldman** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:48 am

I have a 2004 Z1000 with some minor head work, Muzzy exhaust and a PCIII. The problem is when the humidity is high and the temp is below or close to freezing it will run like crap and uses a lot of fuel. As soon as the temp goes up or I stop for a while all is OK. I suspect ice is building up in the injectors?? Any ideas. It never runs bad when the temp is above 5 Degrees C. I was thinking of putting a plate in front of the radiator to block off some of the cold air??? I tried Jim Beam but it only made me run better. The engine temp is 64 degrees C. which is a little low I think as the thermostat doesn't open until 61 degrees C.

'

Dafuzz31 · Post by **Dafuzz31** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:52 pm

Maybe a heater..............or a warmer climate

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:02 pm

It sounds like icing for sure, but I havn't seen it on an injected bike before. That's not to say that it couldn't happen, but, I just can't work out exactly how. I suppose it's the same as when the carbs ice...... air velocity, plus high humidity and low temperatures = icing.

When the ZX7R first came out here in Oz, we had this issue as it wasn't fitted with a Carb heater kit. Which routes warm coolant around the carbs to keep them warm and reduce icing. Covering the radiator won't effect it much, it's not coolant temp related, it's moisture, air velocity and temperatures the effect it.

Do some searching to see if the issue exists from other cold climates. Maybe Google up Z1000 Injector freeze Iceland, or Antarctica, or Greenland, or Russia............

born green · Post by **born green** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 4:05 pm

Strika wrote:It sounds like icing for sure, but I havn't seen it on an injected bike before. That's not to say that it couldn't happen, but, I just can't work out exactly how. I suppose it's the same as when the carbs ice...... air velocity, plus high humidity and low temperatures = icing.

When the ZX7R first came out here in Oz, we had this issue as it wasn't fitted with a Carb heater kit. Which routes warm coolant around the carbs to keep them warm and reduce icing. Covering the radiator won't effect it much, it's not coolant temp related, it's moisture, air velocity and temperatures the effect it.

Do some searching to see if the issue exists from other cold climates. Maybe Google up Z1000 Injector freeze Iceland, or Antarctica, or Greenland, or Russia............

Or melbourne in farkin winter!!!!! just ask my ZX7

oldman · Post by **oldman** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 1:47 am

I made a metal baffle that I placed on the right side of the radiator that covers about 5 inches. It seems to have fixed the problem and it brings the running temp up to a normal level. Maybe the extra temps keep the injectors from freezing. If it happens again I'm going to re-route the air intake to force warm air into the intake. The humidity has been fairly low lately so maybe when it gets high the problem will reappear???? My tires are slippery as snot in the cold so it makes for an interesting ride. Cheers.

tim · Post by **tim** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:10 am

oldman wrote:I made a metal baffle that I placed on the right side of the radiator that covers about 5 inches. It seems to have fixed the problem and it brings the running temp up to a normal level. Maybe the extra temps keep the injectors from freezing. If it happens again I'm going to re-route the air intake to force warm air into the intake. The humidity has been fairly low lately so maybe when it gets high the problem will reappear???? My tires are slippery as snot in the cold so it makes for an interesting ride. Cheers.

Ah ha! No mention of Jim Beam

Hope it's fixed for good.

Little side note, we're having the coldest Sydney summer in 50 years at the moment.

Jonno · Post by **Jonno** » Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:29 am

Sounds like carb icing ...

Maybe this would be more appropriate

: 01083.jpg (36.41 KiB) Viewed 3696 times

oldman · Post by **oldman** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

Jonno wrote:Sounds like carb icing ...

Maybe this would be more appropriate

01083.jpg

Snowmobiles are a lot of fun. Unfortunately we have just enough snow to screw up the roads but not enough to use a snowmobile, even at 10,000 feet altitude. Jim time. Cheers!!

jefflthomas · Post by **jefflthomas** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:35 am

i wonder if there's just too much oxygen for the injection to adjust the mixture to in those conditions

oldman · Post by **oldman** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:38 am

jefflthomas wrote:i wonder if there's just too much oxygen for the injection to adjust the mixture to in those conditions

I'm almost sure it's icing, as the temperature has less to do with it than the humidity. I've riden in -5 degree C weather with low huimidity and not had a problem and riden in + 1 degree C with high humidity and had it go goofey. The other sign of icing is when the motor is hot and running like shit and you shut it off for awhile and it runs great. Anyway my baffle seems to have cured the problem. Cheers and have a Jim, I know I will.

Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum