Why Won’t My Dirt Bike Start(Causes & Its Solutions) 2023
A dirt bike, or any bike not starting, is enough to scare any biker out there. If you aren’t familiar with the working and components of a dirt bike, then your dirt bike not starting can be a frightening and annoying experience, especially if you take it upon yourself to diagnose the problem.
Why won’t my dirt bike start? Problems and Solutions Explained
For a dirt bike to start, it requires fuel, oxygen, a spark, and compression provided by the piston. If the bike doesn’t get access to any one of them, then it won’t come to life. The reason for your bike not starting can range from an empty gas tank to a dead battery, the engine losing compression, to your dirt bike needing new spark plugs. The annoying thing is this doesn’t even cover the whole list of reasons why your dirt bike won’t start. The following are some of the main reasons why your dirt bike won’t start.
- Out of gas
Let’s just get the obvious one out of the way, if you see that your gas tank is empty, then the only way to solve this dilemma is to get your gas tanks filled up. There is nothing else that you can do to solve it.
However, if fuel sits in the tank for too long, it becomes gummy and can block or seal the engine. Use something to clean out the gunk and fill in new fuel in order to start your bike.
- Battery out of charge
Some dirt bikes don’t have a battery at all, but if yours does, then there is a chance that it might have run out of juice. Check the charge in the engine. If it has indeed run out of charge, then depending on where it is and what charger you own, you can either charge it by taking it out or do so without removing the battery. Once it is charged, connect it to your dirt bike.
A good habit of prolonging the charge of your battery is to store the battery or the dirt bike (if the battery is in the bike) at room temperature. The weather can affect the life of the battery.
- Loss of compression
Loss or lack of compression arises when the piston or its rings wear out. When this happens, you can observe a decrease in the power of your dirt bike. The following steps can help you determine whether or not a lack of compression is the reason behind the bike not starting.
- Switch off the engine
- Remove the spark plug
- Remove the tank and seat
- Open the throttle
- Place a compression gauge
Now kick the engine until the gauge stops. If there is indeed a lack of compression, then you will know after performing the steps. If there is a loss of compression, then check for any leaks and replace any faulty parts. If all of this seems too confusing, then you can hire or take your bike to a professional.
- Faulty spark plugs
Spark plugs are an essential part when it comes to bringing the engine to life. As the name suggests, it is a plug that is inserted into the engine, and it produces a spark. Rust or corrosion could be the reason behind your spark plugs not working properly.
If you wish to check whether the spark plugs are at fault, then the simplest way is to attach the spark plug to an amp meter and check. If the reading is fine, then the plug works, or else you will have to buy new ones. Similar to the battery, the temperature does affect this component, so keeping it indoors at room temperature is the safest option.
- Dirty Filters
The filter present in your bike is responsible for keeping the oxygen going inside the engine clean and free from any airborne debris. If the filter looks choked up, then it can block oxygen flow to the system.
If such is the case, then either cleaning the old one or buying a new one are the only two options. Whether you buy a new one or clean the old one, make sure that the filter is fixed in its place. If, however, the filter looks clean, then the problem lies somewhere else.
- Low oxygen supply
As stated above, an engine does require a certain amount of oxygen to stay alive. If your bike’s air filter is choked with dust, then cleaning it might bring your engine’s operations back to normal.
If the filter is clean, then there might be something else blocking the airflow. The reasons for this could be pest nesting in your bike or any cloth or rags you might have stuffed in your bike for cleaning purposes.
- Engine Flooding
Poor jetting on a dirt bike will not only stop it from coming to life but, if gone untreated, will deal more damage over time. Poor jetting means that the engine isn’t getting the required oxygen, and the piston is compressing oxygen, which damages the piston and the engine walls.
On the other hand, if your dirt bike is richly jetted, then the engine can flood with fuel. If too much fuel gets into the combustion engine, there is no room left for the oxygen, and as stated above, low oxygen will prevent your bike from starting, no matter how many times you kick.
You can adjust the fuel or air screw to bring the fuel levels back to the required amount.
- Bad Carburetor
The carburetor is responsible for moving the fuel from the tank to the engine. If the carburetor is dirty or is not in ideal condition, then your dirt bike won’t start, irrespective of what fuel you use or how many times you kick the engine pedal.
To see if the problem lies in the carburetor, wait for the engine to cool down, check the overflow and observe if any liquid comes out. If no liquid comes out, your carburetor is at fault and will need fixing or replacing.
On the other hand, if the liquid does come out of the overflow, then the fuel line is blocked. Clearing the blockage to allow the fuel part into the engine is the only way to resolve this problem.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why your dirt bike or any vehicle might not start up. The reasons can range from any of the reasons mentioned above or might be something entirely else. The above-mentioned issues can be the problem most of the time. There are several videos available on the internet to help you replace or fix a faulty part. Although if this seems too confusing or you are new to dirt bikes, it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional, as poking around (especially if you have no idea what you are doing) might only worsen the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why does my bike turn over but not start?
If your bike turns over but does not start, it may be due to a lack of fuel, a dead battery, a clogged carburetor, a faulty spark plug, or a problem with the ignition system.
- What to do if my dirt bike won’t start?
If your dirt bike doesn’t start, check the fuel levels and battery charge, clean the air filter, the spark plug, the fuel valve, the throttle, and the carburetor and ignition system to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Does a dirt bike need oil to start?
A dirt bike needs oil to function efficiently at peak power. If the bike doesn’t have oil, it may start, but it can damage the engine performance.