Conquest Kawasaki starting woes

[Gordy67]

Hi folks
I upgraded my Magnum last weekend and replaced it with a 98 Conquest, it was a very well looked after machine and It started no problem when it arrived, I drove it later that day from the drop off point to the rear of my property, say less than 1/4 mile.
Since then it’s refusued to start for me.
I wonder if I am missing something, time has been tight this last week and I had 3 hours at it again today and still no joy.
Any of you guys like to give me some pointers? It’d be much appreciated
Here’s the story so far;
I had a few hours at the Argo over the weekend, unfortunately it still won’t start for me. I seem to have a spark, although I’d like to replace both plugs, it turns over but backfiring occasionally through the carb.
I’ve tried pouring a little petrol down the carb but still no joy.
What’s worrying me is I heard a ticking noise after a fair bit of cranking,
I removed the cap from the radiator as the ticking,I believed was coming from the radiator. When I removed the cap, there was quite a hiss and a bit of pressure. I tried this again after roughly 30 seconds of cranking and there is pressure building up in the radiator while cranking.
I suspect the pressure is entering the water ways via the head gasket, I checked the Kawasaki manual and the minimum pressure should be 170 PSI, the reading I got with my almost new pressure tester is about 145 - 150PSI from both cylinders.
I basically drove the Argo from the garage last Saturday to rear of my house and it hasn’t started since, last weekend I clipped the two Black flexible brake cooling hoses and thought I may have knocked off a wire while doing this. I removed all the fuses, checked and cleaned them, I’m also aware there is an electrical solenoid on the carburettor, I’d like to check this next, I’ve also ordered a new fuel filter and I’d like to check fuel is getting as far as the carb, the fuel pump seems to be pulsing, I can feel it with my hand, as is difficult to hear with the brake cooling fan working.

Thanks for now Gordy

[dirtdobber]

Take the radiator cap off and with it full of water, turn it over several times like you are trying to crank it. If water blows (or even bubbles) out of the radiator you have a problem, likely head gasket(s).
With your compression of 150 psi I would think it would still crank.

[Gordy67]

Hi
Thanks for your reply, when I get a chance, I’ll try that and see what happens.
Admins, sorry for posting in the wrong section, thanks for sorting that out.

[Moderator Bob]

Admins, sorry for posting in the wrong section, thanks for sorting that out.

No problem! We hope you get the engine issue sorted out.

[bigfootbob]

use starting fluid. if it fires its a fuel problem if not its electrical.
The kawi doesnt like old gas and make sure the fuel pump is working.

[Gordy67]

Now that’s very helpful, thank you.
The previous owner said the tank was 1/4 full and thought it might have been a bit stale, he said he topped it up with some fresh.
I’ll start with the fluid, check the pump and drain all fuel
Start at the start ☝️
Many thanks for your help

[Gordy67]

I picked up some starting fluid on the way home and gave it a try.
Unfortunately no joy, well, apart from an almighty backfire that had my neighbor taking cover.
So, this would point to an electrical issue I guess.
I’m waiting on a couple of fresh spark plugs arriving. Can’t say at this moment how good the spark was as my young son was checking while I cranked it over.
In the meantime, could I ask what would be the best sequence of checking out the electrics.
I have a friend who has a Conquest of the same age and perhaps we could swap out the igniter and try that if necessary.
The other thing I noticed is, the voltage regulator mounted on the inner engine bay bulkhead on the left hand side (looking at the engine bay) is not connected to anything and I can’t see a loose wiring plug for it.
The only wires I saw disconnected were three wires, which I believe is for an optional Tachometer.
Any further help would be very much appreciated
Many thanks in advance

[ARGOJIM]

I would first have your son crank engine while you check for spark, if spark is good seeing how you have tried starting fluid , i would pull each valve cover. Kawasaki fd620d is notorious for kicking push rods off from sticky valvds.
Good luck.

[Gordy67]

Thank you very much for the info, again, very useful
It’ll be the weekend before I get a chance to check further.
I’ll sure return and let you know how things go.

[Gordy67]

Spent a few hours at the Conquest today, the previous owner said that the gas might have been a bit stale, so he topped it up with some fresh gas.
The fuel tank was sitting about 3/4 full.
As a process of elimination, I wanted to confirm gas was making its way up to the carburettor via the fuel pump.
I disconnected the fuel line at the carb and turned on the ignition, straight away fluid was making its way into my clear container.
Unfortunately it was a mixture of gas and water.
I decided the best move would be to remove the tank and make sure it was all out. Not that bad a job to do, perhaps I was just lucky. I’m going to fit a new fuel filter and take the carb apart and give it a good clean.
Hopefully I’ll get a chance to keep at it over a few evenings this week and get it running again.

[Gordy67]

Just a quick update, stripped the carburettor down and water was present.
Cleaned the carburettor and blew out all the jets added some Fresh fuel in the tank, a new fuel filter and the Argo is starting first turn of the key and running very well.
Does anyone use any gasoline additive? I’ve seen the Briggs & Stratton Fuel Fit.
Thanks for all the recommendations, it’s much appreciated

[olargo]

Glad to hear you got the problem sorted out! I always use fuel stabilizer and only ever use premium fuel.
I also try to keep the tank full, especially when the argo will sit unused for a few days or weeks - this minimizes
condensation in the tank.
Get out there and enjoy the fruit of your labour.