Doesn't Want To Run

Xata27 · May 19th, 2015, 01:11 PM

So the story is I decided to put in a gallon of gas into my Ninja and it ran okay for a little bit. All of a sudden it just died out of the blue. Now it will only want to run if the choke is on all the way and even then if you pull on the throttle just a little bit the bike dies. It does run but only if the choke is on and you're in neutral.

Could there be water in the tank or is this another issue?

spooph · May 19th, 2015, 02:15 PM

was the tank partially full, or completely dry when you put in 1 gal of gas? Has it been sitting for a while?

Xata27 · May 19th, 2015, 02:59 PM

The tank was almost empty.

spooph · May 20th, 2015, 08:02 AM

has it been sitting for a while?

Xata27 · May 20th, 2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spooph

has it been sitting for a while?

It was sitting for two days since it last ran.

spooph · May 20th, 2015, 08:19 AM

How long will it run like that?

If you leave the choke on, does the idle eventually get faster? Say, after 3-5 min of idling?

I assume the bike was ridden 2 days ago and everything was operating as normal? or was it just able to idle and wasn't being ridden?

Have you checked all of the fluids? Oil, coolant?

Could you provide a video?

Where in Colorado are you?

Motofool · May 20th, 2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xata27

So the story is I decided to put in a gallon of gas into my Ninja and it ran okay for a little bit. All of a sudden it just died out of the blue. Now it will only want to run if the choke is on all the way and even then if you pull on the throttle just a little bit the bike dies. It does run but only if the choke is on and you're in neutral.

Could there be water in the tank or is this another issue?

Was there a truck supplying fuel to the gas station's tanks when you were putting gas?

Other than refilling the tank, what work has been done to the bike lately?

jkv45 · May 20th, 2015, 10:51 AM

I would start by completely draining the tank and emptying the floatbowls - catching the gas to see what comes out.

Refill with fresh 87 octane (without ethanol if possible) or the lowest grade you can get without ethanol (sometimes that's Premium). I'd add 1oz per gal of Techron Concentrate fuel system cleaner to the fresh gas.

Once you've done that you can cross off any possible fuel-related issues from the list and move on.

If you have bad gas, or water in the gas, no amount of other work you do will make it run right.

It's the most basic thing to do before starting any significant troubleshooting.

Also check the airbox snorkel for obstructions and the condition of the air filter.

If the idle mixture screws are accessible (caps removed) check that they are set to 2 1/2 turns out (base) and set the idle (once it's running and warmed-up) to 1300. Once it's running fairly decent I would also sync the carbs.

Xata27 · May 21st, 2015, 05:28 PM

I believe I figured it out. There was water in my gas tank and in the carburetor. I drained it and ran it several times. Now the bike runs a lot better. There is this strange whistling sound now though. Its sounds almost like a high pitched: "whip wheep wheep wheep wheep" sound. Not a constant whistling.

DmbShn41 · May 21st, 2015, 06:38 PM

Is the sound only after you've done run the bike?

Xata27 · May 21st, 2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DmbShn41

Is the sound only after you've done run the bike?

Yes, only after the bike runs.

DmbShn41 · May 22nd, 2015, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xata27

Yes, only after the bike runs.

This is almost always a pressurization issue that is prevelant with these bikes. Nothing damaging or catastrophic, just your Ninja singing to you. There is a gas cap modification you do to alleviate and reduce it. Check the DIY or search. Involves drilling an existing hole slightly larger. Something to check to be sure it's only this is to make sure all vacuum and fuel lines are routed in such a way that doesn't pinch them.

spooph · May 22nd, 2015, 08:11 AM

Nice! Glad you got it figured out! And yea, the whistling is the Kawi tea kettle - nothing to worry about.

May 19th, 2015, 01:11 PM	#1
Xata27 ninjette.org member Name: Polish Guy Location: Centennial, CO Join Date: Apr 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 17	Doesn't Want To Run So the story is I decided to put in a gallon of gas into my Ninja and it ran okay for a little bit. All of a sudden it just died out of the blue. Now it will only want to run if the choke is on all the way and even then if you pull on the throttle just a little bit the bike dies. It does run but only if the choke is on and you're in neutral. Could there be water in the tank or is this another issue?

May 19th, 2015, 02:15 PM	#2
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	was the tank partially full, or completely dry when you put in 1 gal of gas? Has it been sitting for a while? __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

May 20th, 2015, 08:02 AM	#4
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	has it been sitting for a while? __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

May 20th, 2015, 08:19 AM	#6
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	How long will it run like that? If you leave the choke on, does the idle eventually get faster? Say, after 3-5 min of idling? I assume the bike was ridden 2 days ago and everything was operating as normal? or was it just able to idle and wasn't being ridden? Have you checked all of the fluids? Oil, coolant? Could you provide a video? Where in Colorado are you? __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 20th, 2015, 10:51 AM	#8
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	I would start by completely draining the tank and emptying the floatbowls - catching the gas to see what comes out. Refill with fresh 87 octane (without ethanol if possible) or the lowest grade you can get without ethanol (sometimes that's Premium). I'd add 1oz per gal of Techron Concentrate fuel system cleaner to the fresh gas. Once you've done that you can cross off any possible fuel-related issues from the list and move on. If you have bad gas, or water in the gas, no amount of other work you do will make it run right. It's the most basic thing to do before starting any significant troubleshooting. Also check the airbox snorkel for obstructions and the condition of the air filter. If the idle mixture screws are accessible (caps removed) check that they are set to 2 1/2 turns out (base) and set the idle (once it's running and warmed-up) to 1300. Once it's running fairly decent I would also sync the carbs.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

May 19th, 2015, 02:59 PM	#3
Xata27 ninjette.org member Name: Polish Guy Location: Centennial, CO Join Date: Apr 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 17	The tank was almost empty.

May 21st, 2015, 05:28 PM	#9
Xata27 ninjette.org member Name: Polish Guy Location: Centennial, CO Join Date: Apr 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 17	I believe I figured it out. There was water in my gas tank and in the carburetor. I drained it and ran it several times. Now the bike runs a lot better. There is this strange whistling sound now though. Its sounds almost like a high pitched: "whip wheep wheep wheep wheep" sound. Not a constant whistling.

May 21st, 2015, 06:38 PM	#10
DmbShn41 Wannabe Reborn Name: Unregistered Location: Cincy Ohio Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 302	Is the sound only after you've done run the bike? __________________________________________________ " If you're here to show off and prove that your crotch rocket is faster than my Harley, you can leave now. "

May 22nd, 2015, 08:11 AM	#13
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	Nice! Glad you got it figured out! And yea, the whistling is the Kawi tea kettle - nothing to worry about. __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

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