Drill snapped in starter jet.

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  #1  
Old 02-01-2018 | 10:20 PM
mitch_thepcman's Avatar
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Unhappy Drill snapped in starter jet.

Title says it all. I was drilling out the starter jet for my ‘09 KLX250, in an attempt to improve cold starts in sub-zero weather. Unlucky for me, the drill bit I was using snapped in a few pieces. One piece came out, but I can see a piece stuck in the jet. Should I even attempt to fix this?
 

Last edited by mitch_thepcman; 02-02-2018 at 01:56 AM.
  #2  
Old 02-02-2018 | 02:00 AM
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Only option for salvaging your carb is getting the broken bit out-what do you have to lose? If there isn't part of the remnants that is exposed, then I'd say your f'ed. Then it's time to scour ebay for a used carb .
 
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Old 02-02-2018 | 11:36 AM
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Never done it, but here are some thoughts. Get a ball of clay or something to stick the carb in for support in whatever position you need while working on it. Get a magnifier and some solid tweezers to start picking away. May grind the points of the tweezers. Maybe get some cheap needle nose pliers that can be ground down.

I also would bet someone here would part with an OEM carb way cheap. They aren't in high demand by any stretch. If I had mine swapped out I'd be willing to do something. When the carb is swapped out odds are it would lay around for decades. I think I've seen members make good offers here or on ADVrider. The CV isn't the hot ticket to get as a performance mod.
 
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Old 02-02-2018 | 11:41 AM
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You could try to take another drill bit the next size smaller and run it into the jet in reverse. It might snag onto the broken end of the stuck bit and release it where it can come back out. Worst case is you break the smaller bit.
 
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Old 02-02-2018 | 12:11 PM
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Isn't that jet an air jet? If it is, why not just drill out the hole with a larger bit to remove the fragments, put some j-b weld in there and re-drill it with the proper drill. Probably don't want the jb weld to be too thick though, otherwise the it wouldn't be a 'jet' but a passage.
 
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Old 02-02-2018 | 12:59 PM
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Old 02-02-2018 | 01:48 PM
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i have a 2009 stock carb for sale in the classifieds...


...but i hope it doesnt come to that. Let us know if you figure out a way to get it. That was a fear I had when i drilled mine out.

did you use a pin vise?
 
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Old 02-02-2018 | 01:57 PM
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Yep, i did use a pin vise. I'm not sure if i'll be able to pick out the fragment with a ground down tweezers, there doesn't seem to be any of the actual bit left exposed. I might try drilling it out and replacing the end with JB weld, but I will have to find another supplier for the small bits!

Either way, thanks for the ideas. I did end up ordering a used CVK on eBay. There's snow in the forecast, so i'll have time to try things. Best case, if i end up fixing it, I'll have a spare carb!
 
  #9  
Old 02-02-2018 | 03:00 PM
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How about drilling the next size up and then try to shake out the remnant? Would a strong magnet help? TNC drilled his to 0.020" and said it was a little too large and would go over-rich and start to flood if left open too long, but certainly worked. That's why the common suggestion now is around 0.018". One other guy here years ago drilled his MUCH too large, then put in a little plastic plug and drilled that out to 0.018". Kind of like the JB weld idea. He wanted to try plastic first as it would perhaps be easier to remove/redo, but left it after finding it worked well.
 
  #10  
Old 02-02-2018 | 06:36 PM
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Are you sure you used the right sized bit, as did you check it with a caliper? i know that when I drilled mine with the pin vice, it barely took any resistance and just pulled out a few tiny shavings, only way I could have broken the bit would be side pressure.
 


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