Issue with 2005 ninja 250r not starting

soulechives · August 21st, 2015, 06:06 PM

Hey guys and gals,

I ran into a issue with my bike not being able to start and I'm not sure what's going on. Before I replaced the rotor and brake pads, I was riding it regularly and it had no problems starting up, but after I replaced those parts, it won't start. All of the lights come on and the battery is definitely trying to start it but it's not catching?

It sat for about 2 weeks before I changed the rotor/brake pads in a garage. I'm not sure what to look for.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

VaFish · August 22nd, 2015, 04:46 AM

You need fuel, air, and spark to make the engine run.

Since it was only 2 weeks and you did some work on the bike, I would check spark first

Ghostt · August 22nd, 2015, 05:19 AM

Check spark, check fuel, and where in Tennessee are you located?

soulechives · August 22nd, 2015, 07:10 AM

Ok, I'll check the spark plugs. I'm in Charlotte, TN.

Ghostt · August 22nd, 2015, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulechives

Ok, I'll check the spark plugs. I'm in Charlotte, TN.

You about 160 miles from me, not too far.

Stupid question time,
Is the petcock on? How long did you try to start it? Did you use the choke? Is there fuel? Have you try switching to reserve? Do you have an inline fuel filter?

soulechives · August 22nd, 2015, 08:52 AM

Yup, not far!

Is the petcock on? How long did you try to start it? Did you use the choke? Is there fuel? Have you try switching to reserve? Do you have an inline fuel filter?

The petcock is only on when I'm trying to start it. I didn't try to start for more than 5 minutes at a time. I don't want to run down the battery. I've tried it with and without the choke - neither start the bike. I tried switching to reserve. The gas in tank is premium and it's about half full. And I do not have an inline fuel filter.

Once again, thank you for the effort you're putting in trying to help. I may not have time this weekend to check the spark plugs, but I'll certainly try.

Ghostt · August 22nd, 2015, 09:12 AM

While cranking, can you smell gas out the exhaust?

Is the carburetors getting fuel?

Is the off/run switch on run?

Start with the simple things first.

You need to verify the petcock is petcocking, err, i mean working properly.

PETCOCK TEST
install a fuel hose from the petcock fuel outlet into a catch can. Pull the vacuum hose from the engine side. Leave it connected to the petcock.

Now...petcock set to on.... fuel should NOT be flowing. Apply suction to the vacuum hose (which is connected to the petcock ONLY) ...fuel should now flow.

Make sure the vacuum line doesn't have any pinholes or cracks!

jkv45 · August 22nd, 2015, 10:00 AM

At this point you need to charge the battery.

How old is the gas?

Check for spark, check the air filter, and I would drain the floatbowls to see how the fuel looks (catch the gas). I'd install an inline filter while you are at it.

If you have spark, the air filter is fine, and the battery is fully charged, and it still won't start, I would drain the gas tank (and the flotabowls) and fill with fresh gas before taking things apart.

Use 87 octane without ethanol if possible. If 87 without ethanol isn't available, I use the lowest octane that doesn't have ethanol. Ethanol blended gas goes bad quicker, holds moisture, attacks certain types of seals, and promotes corrosion.

I'm betting on the gas.

soulechives · August 22nd, 2015, 10:44 AM

While cranking, can you smell gas out the exhaust? Nope.

Is the carburetors getting fuel? There is gas in the float bowls. Does that count?

Is the off/run switch on run? Yes.

How old is the gas? The gas is about 2-3 weeks old at this point.

I drained the float bowls. The first float bowl emptied much faster than the other - which worries me. At some point, I need to take the carbs out and clean them. But first, I'm going to test the petcock and potentially drain the fuel tank and fill with 87.

dcj13 · August 22nd, 2015, 12:15 PM

Good stuff so far. But you should verify you have spark.

soulechives · September 2nd, 2015, 09:52 AM

I would like to thank everyone for their help. The bike is FIXED! It starts strong and sounds grrreeat.

These are the things I did BEFORE trying to start it again:

Changed spark plugs
Drained float bowls
Emptied the gas tank, put some 87 gas in and mixed with SeaFoam
Checked the petcock, it is working
Put a bigger, better inline fuel filter on the fuel line

After I did all of this, and had fun doing so, the bike still didn't start.

At one point, I accidentally left the key in the ON position like a doofus and it drained the battery

Charged the battery...

Tried once and vroom vroom. The bike started. I should have charged the battery from the get-go, BUT I learned a ton of stuff about my bike as a result.

Again, thanks everyone for your help in troubleshooting. It was fun and infuriating at the same time.

pics:http://imgur.com/GSB87wP,aWlkOMy,PrSHnzg#0

Ghostt · September 2nd, 2015, 11:01 AM

Well done, glad it all worked out, and you learned, and had fun, welcome to world of motorcycle ownership.

August 21st, 2015, 06:06 PM	#1
soulechives ninjette.org newbie Name: Caleb Location: tn Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 Posts: 5	Issue with 2005 ninja 250r not starting Hey guys and gals, I ran into a issue with my bike not being able to start and I'm not sure what's going on. Before I replaced the rotor and brake pads, I was riding it regularly and it had no problems starting up, but after I replaced those parts, it won't start. All of the lights come on and the battery is definitely trying to start it but it's not catching? It sat for about 2 weeks before I changed the rotor/brake pads in a garage. I'm not sure what to look for. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

August 22nd, 2015, 05:19 AM	#3
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Check spark, check fuel, and where in Tennessee are you located? __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

August 22nd, 2015, 09:12 AM	#7
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	While cranking, can you smell gas out the exhaust? Is the carburetors getting fuel? Is the off/run switch on run? Start with the simple things first. You need to verify the petcock is petcocking, err, i mean working properly. PETCOCK TEST install a fuel hose from the petcock fuel outlet into a catch can. Pull the vacuum hose from the engine side. Leave it connected to the petcock. Now...petcock set to on.... fuel should NOT be flowing. Apply suction to the vacuum hose (which is connected to the petcock ONLY) ...fuel should now flow. Make sure the vacuum line doesn't have any pinholes or cracks! __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

September 2nd, 2015, 11:01 AM	#12
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Well done, glad it all worked out, and you learned, and had fun, welcome to world of motorcycle ownership. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2008 Not starting - battery issue?	Ash	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	8	April 14th, 2015 08:51 AM
2009 Ninja 250r starting problem (with videos)	yanger	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	20	October 27th, 2014 08:57 AM
ninja 250 starting issue	ninjawing	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	21	October 1st, 2013 10:33 AM
Issue with old gen starting	SON1C	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	3	July 13th, 2013 05:17 PM
Friend's newly purchased 2005 250R: Neglected battery issue	CZroe	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	16	March 17th, 2011 05:59 AM

August 22nd, 2015, 04:46 AM	#2
VaFish ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Tom Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '16	You need fuel, air, and spark to make the engine run. Since it was only 2 weeks and you did some work on the bike, I would check spark first

August 22nd, 2015, 07:10 AM	#4
soulechives ninjette.org newbie Name: Caleb Location: tn Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 Posts: 5	Ok, I'll check the spark plugs. I'm in Charlotte, TN.

August 22nd, 2015, 08:52 AM	#6
soulechives ninjette.org newbie Name: Caleb Location: tn Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 Posts: 5	Yup, not far! Is the petcock on? How long did you try to start it? Did you use the choke? Is there fuel? Have you try switching to reserve? Do you have an inline fuel filter? The petcock is only on when I'm trying to start it. I didn't try to start for more than 5 minutes at a time. I don't want to run down the battery. I've tried it with and without the choke - neither start the bike. I tried switching to reserve. The gas in tank is premium and it's about half full. And I do not have an inline fuel filter. Once again, thank you for the effort you're putting in trying to help. I may not have time this weekend to check the spark plugs, but I'll certainly try.

August 22nd, 2015, 10:00 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	At this point you need to charge the battery. How old is the gas? Check for spark, check the air filter, and I would drain the floatbowls to see how the fuel looks (catch the gas). I'd install an inline filter while you are at it. If you have spark, the air filter is fine, and the battery is fully charged, and it still won't start, I would drain the gas tank (and the flotabowls) and fill with fresh gas before taking things apart. Use 87 octane without ethanol if possible. If 87 without ethanol isn't available, I use the lowest octane that doesn't have ethanol. Ethanol blended gas goes bad quicker, holds moisture, attacks certain types of seals, and promotes corrosion. I'm betting on the gas.

August 22nd, 2015, 10:44 AM	#9
soulechives ninjette.org newbie Name: Caleb Location: tn Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 Posts: 5	While cranking, can you smell gas out the exhaust? Nope. Is the carburetors getting fuel? There is gas in the float bowls. Does that count? Is the off/run switch on run? Yes. How old is the gas? The gas is about 2-3 weeks old at this point. I drained the float bowls. The first float bowl emptied much faster than the other - which worries me. At some point, I need to take the carbs out and clean them. But first, I'm going to test the petcock and potentially drain the fuel tank and fill with 87.

August 22nd, 2015, 12:15 PM	#10
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Good stuff so far. But you should verify you have spark.

September 2nd, 2015, 09:52 AM	#11
soulechives ninjette.org newbie Name: Caleb Location: tn Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 Posts: 5	I would like to thank everyone for their help. The bike is FIXED! It starts strong and sounds grrreeat. These are the things I did BEFORE trying to start it again: Changed spark plugs Drained float bowls Emptied the gas tank, put some 87 gas in and mixed with SeaFoam Checked the petcock, it is working Put a bigger, better inline fuel filter on the fuel line After I did all of this, and had fun doing so, the bike still didn't start. At one point, I accidentally left the key in the ON position like a doofus and it drained the battery Charged the battery... Tried once and vroom vroom. The bike started. I should have charged the battery from the get-go, BUT I learned a ton of stuff about my bike as a result. Again, thanks everyone for your help in troubleshooting. It was fun and infuriating at the same time. pics:http://imgur.com/GSB87wP,aWlkOMy,PrSHnzg#0