HELP - Gas in air filter

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 12:48 AM

Just finished the shim mod and went to pull the snorkel. Pulled out the air filter and it's damp with gas. Could not find any leaks. Only thing odd prior was when I pulled one of the needles out and accidentally grabbed the rubber surround. It didn't tear but felt like a pumping action.

Could this have pushed gas back into the filter? Also, can I let the foam filter air dry and reuse?

Thanks,

JT

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 02:52 AM

that's not gas on the filter, it's oil. it's normal. they saturate the foam air filter with oil to catch dust/dirt particles in the air as it passes through to the carbs... hence why they call it an air filter.

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 08:07 AM

Thanks Kelly, but it's definitely gas.

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 09:48 AM

is it dripping wet with gas or just slightly damp from gas? some gas will always migrate back onto the filter from the carbs. if it's dripping wet (gas collected in the bottom of your airbox, then yes, you have a problem. if not, ride on.

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 10:02 AM

Great! Just a little damp. Last bike had EFI and did not have this issue. If this is normal with carbs, then I'll put the bike back together after work. :-)

Thanks for the quick reply.

BTW, any issues of getting water in the intake after removing snorkel (i.e. washing bike or heavy rain, not that I plan to ever ride in the rain)?

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 10:12 AM

I was thinking, I had to disconnect the gas tank to do the shim mod. Would the residual gas in the disconnected fuel line have leaked out into the filter? Just keeps bugging me.

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 10:15 AM

contrary to popular belief, water can get into an airbox and no problems will be seen from it. It will simply drain out the bottom drain hole. many times, water gets into dirt bike airboxes and unless you submerge the bike (drop the bike during a stream crossing) to actually start sucking water into the carb throats, you'll be fine.

I had no problems from water on the ninja when I removed the snorkel and continue to be trouble free even with pods installed.

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonboy

I was thinking, I had to disconnect the gas tank to do the shim mod. Would the residual gas in the disconnected fuel line have leaked out into the filter? Just keeps bugging me.

I don't see how... there's no direct connection between the gas tank fuel line and the airbox that I know of.

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 11:00 AM

Kelly, I read your shimming DIY. Any experience on how many washers to add to a 2010 with bolt-on exhaust and snorkel removed? I did 3, but second-guessing since I don't have any bogging issues and I live in Cali so warm up time is minimal.

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 11:04 AM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9465

2 or 3 sounds about right. the proof is on how the bike rides. If it runs great and you like it, be happy and ride. The only real way to zero it in would be to go one over and one under and see how that compares to what you presently have.

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 11:18 AM

Ok, since I still have it apart I'll probably change it to 2 washers. Running rich does not sound like a good option. Hopefully, Kawasaki improved the needle positioning for the stock 2010s.

almost40 · June 15th, 2011, 01:06 PM

I would rather run rich than lean. As the temps fall as summer ends the rich condition will improve, Where as a lean bike will only lean out further the colder it gets.

dragonboy · June 15th, 2011, 01:56 PM

Realized I got it backwards, better rich than lean. Still at work so I'll leave it as-is tonight at 3 washers. Appreciate all the feedback.

kaiserz · June 15th, 2011, 06:06 PM

Is there a way to know if you're running rich or lean? (w/o dyno)

kkim · June 15th, 2011, 06:08 PM

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to_...ng#Carb_Tuning

kaiserz · June 16th, 2011, 10:18 AM

Thank you Mr. Kkim (:

June 15th, 2011, 12:48 AM	#1
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	HELP - Gas in air filter Just finished the shim mod and went to pull the snorkel. Pulled out the air filter and it's damp with gas. Could not find any leaks. Only thing odd prior was when I pulled one of the needles out and accidentally grabbed the rubber surround. It didn't tear but felt like a pumping action. Could this have pushed gas back into the filter? Also, can I let the foam filter air dry and reuse? Thanks, JT

June 15th, 2011, 01:06 PM	#12
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	I would rather run rich than lean. As the temps fall as summer ends the rich condition will improve, Where as a lean bike will only lean out further the colder it gets. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

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June 15th, 2011, 02:52 AM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	that's not gas on the filter, it's oil. it's normal. they saturate the foam air filter with oil to catch dust/dirt particles in the air as it passes through to the carbs... hence why they call it an air filter.

June 15th, 2011, 08:07 AM	#3
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Thanks Kelly, but it's definitely gas.

June 15th, 2011, 09:48 AM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	is it dripping wet with gas or just slightly damp from gas? some gas will always migrate back onto the filter from the carbs. if it's dripping wet (gas collected in the bottom of your airbox, then yes, you have a problem. if not, ride on.

June 15th, 2011, 10:02 AM	#5
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Great! Just a little damp. Last bike had EFI and did not have this issue. If this is normal with carbs, then I'll put the bike back together after work. :-) Thanks for the quick reply. BTW, any issues of getting water in the intake after removing snorkel (i.e. washing bike or heavy rain, not that I plan to ever ride in the rain)?

June 15th, 2011, 10:12 AM	#6
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	I was thinking, I had to disconnect the gas tank to do the shim mod. Would the residual gas in the disconnected fuel line have leaked out into the filter? Just keeps bugging me.

June 15th, 2011, 10:15 AM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	contrary to popular belief, water can get into an airbox and no problems will be seen from it. It will simply drain out the bottom drain hole. many times, water gets into dirt bike airboxes and unless you submerge the bike (drop the bike during a stream crossing) to actually start sucking water into the carb throats, you'll be fine. I had no problems from water on the ninja when I removed the snorkel and continue to be trouble free even with pods installed.

June 15th, 2011, 11:00 AM	#9
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Kelly, I read your shimming DIY. Any experience on how many washers to add to a 2010 with bolt-on exhaust and snorkel removed? I did 3, but second-guessing since I don't have any bogging issues and I live in Cali so warm up time is minimal.

June 15th, 2011, 11:04 AM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9465 2 or 3 sounds about right. the proof is on how the bike rides. If it runs great and you like it, be happy and ride. The only real way to zero it in would be to go one over and one under and see how that compares to what you presently have.

June 15th, 2011, 11:18 AM	#11
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Ok, since I still have it apart I'll probably change it to 2 washers. Running rich does not sound like a good option. Hopefully, Kawasaki improved the needle positioning for the stock 2010s.

June 15th, 2011, 01:56 PM	#13
dragonboy ninjette.org member Name: JT Location: NorCal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE Green Machine, 2011 250R SE White Lightning Posts: 155	Realized I got it backwards, better rich than lean. Still at work so I'll leave it as-is tonight at 3 washers. Appreciate all the feedback.

June 15th, 2011, 06:06 PM	#14
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	Is there a way to know if you're running rich or lean? (w/o dyno)

June 15th, 2011, 06:08 PM	#15
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to_...ng#Carb_Tuning

June 16th, 2011, 10:18 AM	#16
kaiserz There's a limit to s2pdty Name: A.D. Location: NoVa the burg Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r ninja (sold) Posts: A lot.	Thank you Mr. Kkim (: