'84 XR350R - What happened?

[62hsr]

Howdy Folks,

Just bought an '84 XR350R. Always loved the 83-85XR's! Was advertised as "good overall condition, but runs great". The PO did the cold start ritual. When it fired up and warmed up it ran like a top(a stump pulling top!). One start kick when hot. Blasted around his neighborhood with a big grin then loaded her in my truck! Next day cold start worked great. Washed it, blasted around my neighborhood! Then yesterday...cold start took a little longer. Once cranked up, any tiny amount of throttle would stall it. Today, tried to let it idle and get nice and hot, but would cut off at idle after about 2-3 minutes.

Could I have caused a problem with the wash(garden hose, Simple Green, degreaser and toothbrush)? O-ring? Water where it shouldn't be?

Thanks for any expertise.

[Muzz67]

Turn fuel tap off, drain the carb(s), turn fuel on and try again.

[michigan400]

Probably a chunk in the pilot jet. Clean out carb, gas tank then put an in line filter on it.

[desertwalker62]

I agree with muzz... you got water in the tank (bad gas cap seal somewhere)... water settles to bottom... drain carb... look for separation of gas and water in discarded fuel... re-prime carb with hopefully clean fuel (depending how much water you have) from tank and try restart... pour some extra fuel straight from tank to discard container if concerned about more water...  

[MEANDMYDRZ]

Wow I just purchased an 84 XR250, and am having very similar issues, very strange reading your symtoms.  I have not washed my bike as of yet.  Had your bike been sitting long before you purchased it?

[62hsr]

Thanks for the help guys! Back up and running! Drained the carbs and the tank. There was some dirt in the tank so I pulled it, removed petcock and cleaned both. Gonna find an inline filter next. Thanks again!