Gas Leaking - 2008 Ninja 250

professorman · October 8th, 2014, 09:43 AM

I just picked up a Ninja 250 about 1 month now. When I got it, she would not stay running, until my wife noticed that it was out of gas. I put some gas in, and it started, but it ran rough. About 2 weeks later, I checked on it, and the tank is empty and the gas is gone.

Where has the gas gone? What do I need to do to diagnose this problem? I am mechanically inclined, but I have never had good luck with carbs. Do I need to pull the carbs? How is the petcock on this? Is it a leaking petcock? Is it vacuum operated fuel supply or is it gravity feed to the carbs? Why would the gas drain out with the bike being parked?

The bike has a full exhaust system and a jet kit, if that makes a difference.

cadd · October 8th, 2014, 10:51 AM

Do you smell a strong smell in the garage? If the petcock is leaking, it's an easy fix. Take it apart and stretch the spring a little. That worked for me. Even if the petcock leaks into the carbs, your carb floats should prevent from leaking into the motor down the crankcase.

How is your oil level? If it's rising, gas may be leaking into it. Open the oil fill gap and take a sniff. Is there a really strong gasoline smell in there?

The petcock has 2 positions. "Prime" and "on". Prime is gravity fed. On is vacuum fed. However, my bike gravity fed fuel when it was in the on position. Stretching the spring in the petcock resolved my issue.

How's the gas cap? Perhaps it's not properly sealed and gas is evaporating from the tank?

professorman · October 8th, 2014, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadd

Do you smell a strong smell in the garage? If the petcock is leaking, it's an easy fix. Take it apart and stretch the spring a little. That worked for me. Even if the petcock leaks into the carbs, your carb floats should prevent from leaking into the motor down the crankcase.

How is your oil level? If it's rising, gas may be leaking into it. Open the oil fill gap and take a sniff. Is there a really strong gasoline smell in there?

The petcock has 2 positions. "Prime" and "on". Prime is gravity fed. On is vacuum fed. However, my bike gravity fed fuel when it was in the on position. Stretching the spring in the petcock resolved my issue.

How's the gas cap? Perhaps it's not properly sealed and gas is evaporating from the tank?

I do not have a garage. It is kept outside. I did smell gas slightly, that is why I initially suspect that it might be leaking.

I have only ran the bike once, and the oil sight window appeared like the oil was cloudy. I was initially concerned that gas might be mixing with it from it being cloudy instead of black. I think the oil is overfilled a little. I will check it when I get home. I have new oil and filter for a change, but i want to figure out this problem before I change the oil and realize that gas is leaking into it. lol.

I will investigate these things that you advise me to.

cadd · October 8th, 2014, 12:43 PM

Go to Blackstone Lab's website if you really want to find out if there's gas in the oil. They will send you a free testing kit.

After your oil change, send some oil that you drained back to them for an oil analysis for $25.

Also does your wife ride short distances (under 5 miles) often? If so, it could be condensation that's causing the cloudiness. The motor isn't hot enough yet to boil all the water there.

Another sign could be coolant leaking in the oil if it's cloudy.

Good luck.

I'm sure other members with way more knowledge than I will chime in to help out.

jkv45 · October 8th, 2014, 01:00 PM

Chances are it's draining out the carb overflow and onto the ground. Because it sits outside you may not notice a puddle or smell gas.

I would fill the tank partially and put something under it that would make it easier to see gas dripping. Most likely the petcock is the problem, as noted, make sure it's not on prime. The job of the needle and seat in the carb is to shut off the fuel, so there may be some junk that's working its way down there and not letting it seat completely.

Sounds like it's due for an oil change as soon as this is figured out. Milky oil is usually a sign of short trips that don't let the oil get hot enough to burn-off the moisture.

professorman · October 21st, 2014, 08:46 AM

Okay, so I pulled the gas tank off, and I see that its bone dry. I pulled the petcock off and I see lots of rust. I pulled the petcock completely apart and cleaned everything in the petcock.

Now, I need to clean the gastank. What do you guys recommend? Inside my gas tank is rusty.

Foxrider64 · October 23rd, 2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorman

Okay, so I pulled the gas tank off, and I see that its bone dry. I pulled the petcock off and I see lots of rust. I pulled the petcock completely apart and cleaned everything in the petcock.

Now, I need to clean the gastank. What do you guys recommend? Inside my gas tank is rusty.

I have used the Kreem product with good success.

Check your carbs too.

Rust in the fuel means sediment in your carbs. Could clog the needle valve causing fuel to constantly run in to the carb and then the cylinder. Gas in the oil is bad for the bearings- change it out ASAP.

professorman · October 23rd, 2014, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrider64

I have used the Kreem product with good success.

Check your carbs too.

Rust in the fuel means sediment in your carbs. Could clog the needle valve causing fuel to constantly run in to the carb and then the cylinder. Gas in the oil is bad for the bearings- change it out ASAP.

I bought the bike modified. It has a jet kit, but I am not sure whats the specs. I think it has a full exhaust system. I am planning to check the carbs. I have not had great luck cleaning carbs, and its my least favorite thing to do.

Foxrider64 · October 23rd, 2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorman

I bought the bike modified. It has a jet kit, but I am not sure whats the specs. I think it has a full exhaust system. I am planning to check the carbs. I have not had great luck cleaning carbs, and its my least favorite thing to do.

If you snap some pictures of the exhaust we can tell if it's stock or not.

Unfortunately- carbs are a notorious culprit for issues. Especially on bikes that sat for a while.

professorman · October 23rd, 2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrider64

If you snap some pictures of the exhaust we can tell if it's stock or not.

Unfortunately- carbs are a notorious culprit for issues. Especially on bikes that sat for a while.

Well, its a two brothers system, but I am not sure if it is a full system or a slip on.

Foxrider64 · October 23rd, 2014, 11:41 AM

It's really hard to see the headers- but they look stock...possibly

October 8th, 2014, 09:43 AM	#1
professorman RoopsPhoto.com Name: RoopsPhoto.com Location: Hampton Raods, VA Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 03 Gixxer 1000, wife's 08 Ninja 250R Posts: 8	Gas Leaking - 2008 Ninja 250 I just picked up a Ninja 250 about 1 month now. When I got it, she would not stay running, until my wife noticed that it was out of gas. I put some gas in, and it started, but it ran rough. About 2 weeks later, I checked on it, and the tank is empty and the gas is gone. Where has the gas gone? What do I need to do to diagnose this problem? I am mechanically inclined, but I have never had good luck with carbs. Do I need to pull the carbs? How is the petcock on this? Is it a leaking petcock? Is it vacuum operated fuel supply or is it gravity feed to the carbs? Why would the gas drain out with the bike being parked? The bike has a full exhaust system and a jet kit, if that makes a difference.

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October 8th, 2014, 10:51 AM	#2
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Do you smell a strong smell in the garage? If the petcock is leaking, it's an easy fix. Take it apart and stretch the spring a little. That worked for me. Even if the petcock leaks into the carbs, your carb floats should prevent from leaking into the motor down the crankcase. How is your oil level? If it's rising, gas may be leaking into it. Open the oil fill gap and take a sniff. Is there a really strong gasoline smell in there? The petcock has 2 positions. "Prime" and "on". Prime is gravity fed. On is vacuum fed. However, my bike gravity fed fuel when it was in the on position. Stretching the spring in the petcock resolved my issue. How's the gas cap? Perhaps it's not properly sealed and gas is evaporating from the tank?

October 8th, 2014, 12:43 PM	#4
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Go to Blackstone Lab's website if you really want to find out if there's gas in the oil. They will send you a free testing kit. After your oil change, send some oil that you drained back to them for an oil analysis for $25. Also does your wife ride short distances (under 5 miles) often? If so, it could be condensation that's causing the cloudiness. The motor isn't hot enough yet to boil all the water there. Another sign could be coolant leaking in the oil if it's cloudy. Good luck. I'm sure other members with way more knowledge than I will chime in to help out.

October 8th, 2014, 01:00 PM	#5
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Chances are it's draining out the carb overflow and onto the ground. Because it sits outside you may not notice a puddle or smell gas. I would fill the tank partially and put something under it that would make it easier to see gas dripping. Most likely the petcock is the problem, as noted, make sure it's not on prime. The job of the needle and seat in the carb is to shut off the fuel, so there may be some junk that's working its way down there and not letting it seat completely. Sounds like it's due for an oil change as soon as this is figured out. Milky oil is usually a sign of short trips that don't let the oil get hot enough to burn-off the moisture.

October 21st, 2014, 08:46 AM	#6
professorman RoopsPhoto.com Name: RoopsPhoto.com Location: Hampton Raods, VA Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 03 Gixxer 1000, wife's 08 Ninja 250R Posts: 8	Okay, so I pulled the gas tank off, and I see that its bone dry. I pulled the petcock off and I see lots of rust. I pulled the petcock completely apart and cleaned everything in the petcock. Now, I need to clean the gastank. What do you guys recommend? Inside my gas tank is rusty.

October 23rd, 2014, 11:41 AM	#11
Foxrider64 Hello Moto Name: Alex Location: Ft. Myers Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1975 RD350; 2001 KX125; 2003 Z1000; 2003 KDX50; 2009 ZX6R; 2011 Ninja 250R; 2014 KX250F Posts: 352	It's really hard to see the headers- but they look stock...possibly