Issues with starting

[arieon69]

I have a 2000 ex250 project bike and when I bought it, the guys said that he couldn't keep it running. He jumped it by the starter and it would barely rumble, then die. He also said that he adjusted the carbs and believes thats the problem. I will be adding fresh gas to it, not a lot just in case the carb is gunked up. But I'm wondering if anyone has any input on this.

SB: On pre-gens that hose on the left side of fuel tank, is that a vent hose or does it connect somewhere?

[norman12]

Im having the same issue with mine. mine would start using the choke. but when i try to start without choke it only rolls and doesn't start and then fuel can be seen draining from one of those hoses that are connected to the carb. I guess that hose must be a drain for whenever the bike get flooded. My bike is the 2008 EX250

[arieon69]

yeah hoping to get some light on this issue.

[alex.s]

sounds like dirty carbs in both cases pretty odd that it dumps fuel.

[jayman87]

I agree, it sounds like dirty carbs. This should help.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...n_the_carbs%3F

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7bCEuefvgY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJVHu8itDls

I would read and watch everything before I touched the bike, less chance you'll be paying for stripped screws and/or ruined diaphragms.

[alex.s]

maybe float valve is stuck open on the one dumping fuel.

[dirty nasty]

If the battery is old replace it for peace of mind.

The carbs sound like they could use a cleaning and reset to factory settings (check float heights 17mm, that your main and pilot are OEM size and drill out your fuel mixture screw caps and set them to 2.5-3 turns out). Drain the fuel tank of all old gas. I would then fill it with fresh gas, shake it up, then drain that. After that install an inline fuel filter. You never know what crap you can suck into your carbs. It's as easy as making one cut in your fuel line. Measure twice, cut once. Do this BEFORE putting your cleaned carbs back on the bike and starting it. I've done that before and sucked rust through my carbs. I had to pull them off because I was too lazy to take 5 minutes and install a fuel filter.

[davenay67]

Originally Posted by norman12

Im having the same issue with mine. mine would start using the choke. but when i try to start without choke it only rolls and doesn't start and then fuel can be seen draining from one of those hoses that are connected to the carb. I guess that hose must be a drain for whenever the bike get flooded. My bike is the 2008 EX250

If you are talking about the drain hose, then one (or both) of your floats are probably stuck and fuel is leaking out of the drain. The petcock should also NOT flow any fuel (when in the 'on' or 'res' settings unless the engine is running.

You may get better tech about your bike in the new-gen section.

[davenay67]

Originally Posted by arieon69

I have a 2000 ex250 project bike and when I bought it, the guys said that he couldn't keep it running. He jumped it by the starter and it would barely rumble, then die. He also said that he adjusted the carbs and believes thats the problem. I will be adding fresh gas to it, not a lot just in case the carb is gunked up. But I'm wondering if anyone has any input on this.

SB: On pre-gens that hose on the left side of fuel tank, is that a vent hose or does it connect somewhere?

Old fuel is death to carbs. Definitely start with fresh fuel to see if the bike will start and run, as this is by far the quick and easy route. However, it most likely will not work, so be prepared to strip and clean those carbs.

[arieon69]

posted a vid of the symptoms to further diagnose.

[alex.s]

check spark

[dino74]

Your bike sounds a lot like a wrecked 2009 250 I bought. It had been sitting around for 5 months before I got it and it didn't start. I took apart the carbs, "cleaned" them or so I thought. After, it would barely idle and giving it any throttle would kill it. Later I went back and soaked them in Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor and Parts Cleaner. Its a pain to do because you have to completely disassemble the carbs to remove all plastic parts but it worked. Started right up, no problems.

[arieon69]

alright guys I know its been a while since my last post. Just gathering some free time to work on my bikes. I took apart the carbs and cleaned them. Tough love like cleaned them. lol but still sounds the same. Won't turn over. Not even with starting fluid... Spark? IDK haven't checked it yet.

[Jiggles]

Roll that bitch down a hill and push start it!

[arieon69]

yeah that can't happen... No hills nearby and the front tire is flat. I won't dump any more cash into it until it runs. Engine ok, everything else is a no... for now.

[n4mwd]

The smaller tube on the gas tank petcock is the vacuum line that opens the fuel valve and lets fuel into the carburetor. If that is not connected right, its not going to run.

Like others have already said, you need to rebuild your carburetors. Then put an inline filter between the tank and carbs to help prevent future clogs from debris.