February 24th, 2016, 06:07 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
09' Ninja 250 Running On One Cylinder
Hello there!
So I was recently went riding after the bike has been sitting all winter. I started every couple of weeks and rode it too keep things flowing. I encountered a problem several miles from my house. The bike had a sudden loss of power. I managed to get the bike home not being able to succeed 50mph and very VERY slow acceleration. I got home and started diagnosing the bike. First thing I did was let it cool off and test if both cylinders were working by touching both header pipes as it warmed up. Well, to my surprise, only one header got hot while the other was dead cold after 5 minutes of running. So obviously the first thing I checked was spark. I have a beautiful blue spark from the dead side of the engine. I'm thinking it could be a clog in the carburetor from sitting all winter. The bike has 15,000 miles on it. (bought it at 12,000 last summer) So I don't know if it had any valve adjustments or carburetor tuning. Had a nasty crash last summer (breaking some bones) and had to replace the rear wheel and several other parts. Bike ran 2,000 miles after the crash so I doubt it had anything to do with that. Just asking for tips on what it might be. Something that commonly goes out on the bikes? It is my first bike and first time ever working on one. I just removed the carburetor and it looks beautiful. Haven't took it apart yet. |
|
February 24th, 2016, 08:27 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
First thing first. Take the tank off and confirm that the spark plug in the non-running cylinder is still physically threaded into the head the whole way. When I had a problem with the threads in cylinder 1, my number 1 spark plug blew out, denting the bottom of the tank. Single cylinder operation and lots of backfiring when at forced idle ensued.
After that, assuming the plug is still installed properly and nothing is physically wrong there, check all the electrical connections. Then work your way to electrical checking. Easy stuff first. |
|
February 24th, 2016, 09:26 PM | #3 |
.
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
MOTM - July '15
|
Look on the bright side. Now you have a really heavy Grom!
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 12:13 AM | #4 |
Down Under
Name: Linkin
Location: Sydney, Australia
Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki ZXR250C Ninja Posts: 296
|
How did you check spark? It might work OK outside of the cylinder but not under compression. Can't hurt to replace the plugs anyway.
Do a compression test. If the reading is low, measure and adjust the valve clearance. Do another compression reading. If the reading is back into an acceptable range, you found your problem. If it's not, do a leakdown test. If that comes up OK look at your spark and fuel supply. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 05:40 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Gee, that definitely sounds like the hard stuff first... He's right, that's a possibility to check, but check the easy stuff first.
Suck, squish, bang, blow. That's how an engine works. So check for fuel, spark, air, and compression. But for the sake of your own sanity, check the simple stuff first. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:52 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bruce
Location: northern illinois
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999
|
Take the air cleaner cover off and while the bike is running spray a small amount of carb cleaner into the non running cylinders carburetor, if the cylinder picks up you have a fuel delivery problem.
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:56 AM | #7 | |
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
|
Quote:
My guess is a stuck float valve if it has been sitting for a while. |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 09:04 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bruce
Location: northern illinois
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999
|
You could, but if you go buy a can of starting fluid to use 2 squirts out of then you'll end up with a mostly full can of starting fluid laying around your shop. At least if you buy a can of carb cleaner you can use the rest to clean out the carb if it ends up being your problem.
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
February 25th, 2016, 10:03 AM | #9 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Quote:
I do have a compression tester so once I put everything back in and it still refuses to combust, I will test that. I'm worried about the whole valve adjustment deal. But I do believe it is way overdue. I'm sure there is a good article to help me out about it if it comes to that. Thanks for the responses guys. |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 10:35 AM | #10 |
n00bie to wannabie
Name: Bill
Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake)
Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '15
|
It does get easier after you've done it a few times but yes; it's a fight! Make sure you've loosened the airbox so you can wiggle it back as much as possible.
__________________________________________________
The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over |
|
February 25th, 2016, 12:49 PM | #11 | |
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
|
Quote:
Or you could be like Racerx and use an unlit propane torch. |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 12:54 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Ok so this is interesting... I took my spark plugs into my local motorcycle shop. They said that they are for the old ninja 250 model up to the 07'. (CR8HSA), and told me my bike needs CR8E. The post is longer on the CR8E. The bike was running beautifully for the whole time I had it on spark plugs not meant for the bike? I'm a little nervous replacing it with it's proper spark plug because I don't know how much clearance is between the spark plug and the cylinder at TDC. Hopefully I didn't by a 09' body with an 07 engine. I don't know the physical difference between those engines so I can\t tell if it had a swap or not.
Any way to tell if it's a older engine that was swapped into the bike? The only code I could find on the engine was EX250JEA31086. The J looks promising showing that it is infact the original engine. |
|
February 25th, 2016, 01:38 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Iowa City
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 54
MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16
|
Is there a vacuum hose coming out of the top of the valve cover? That is a new gen engine. And the long cr8e is the proper plug.
__________________________________________________
Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja |
|
February 25th, 2016, 02:09 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: bruce
Location: northern illinois
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999
|
I would argue that the length of straw on the carb cleaner can that doesn't come on the starting fluid can would make it easier to direct the spray into an individual carburetor. I like the propane trick.
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 03:49 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Large vacuum hose running off the valve cover. So I guess I'm putting in the CR8Es. After I reinstall the carb... I opened her up and she looks flawless. like brand freakin' new. What a nightmare this is getting it back in there. Next time I am definitely throwing out the air box and getting pods or something.
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 05:12 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Iowa City
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 54
MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16
|
The easy way is to remove the rear wheel and rear bodywork. Once you have done not a couple times it is not a big deal. But the first time is difficult.did you remove the caps over the idle screws?
__________________________________________________
Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja |
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:35 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Quote:
The bike is running right now. Got everything back together and she idles fine and revs good and both pipes are hot. Although the choke now raises the rpm to 6,500 when fully warmed up and before it was 4,500. (I leave the choke on 'till it stays at a consistent RPM every time). |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:36 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Also my throttle is pretty sticky. I think the pull back cable must need to be tightened?
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 07:58 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Iowa City
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 54
MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16
|
Be careful adjusting both cables. Loose is better on both sides. Also there is a cable adjustment for the choke.
Glad you got it back to running on two cylinders . The Ninja 125 is very slow.
__________________________________________________
Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja |
|
February 25th, 2016, 08:53 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Sticky throttle = check for places where the throttle cables may have pinched under the tank as you put the bike back together. Also, lube them as needed.
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 09:57 PM | #21 | |
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
|
Quote:
Don't let it idle to "warm up" - because it really won't. The water temp will come up, but it really takes riding at a moderate level to bring the oil up to operating temp. That's when it's truly "warmed-up". |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 10:54 PM | #22 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Quote:
I think I may have placed that little ball thing at the end of each cable backwards so it is rubbing on the side of the butterfly valve actuator where the cable connects. (No idea what it's actually called lol). |
|
|
February 25th, 2016, 11:00 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Josiah
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 18
|
Yes it was very slow. And having to rev it to 8k just to take of was annoying as well.
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 05:10 AM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Motion pro cable lubing tool.
|
|
February 26th, 2016, 07:51 AM | #25 | |
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
|
Dri Slide Bike Aid, the one I use and find it a lot less messy, and easier that the Motion Pro tool
Quote:
And don't forget the throttle tube as well.
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia ZX-2R BLOG Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform. Last futzed with by Ghostt; February 26th, 2016 at 09:31 AM. |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
'07 250 running one cylinder | regelbrecha | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 5 | March 7th, 2013 02:11 PM |
Running on one cylinder. Not electrical? | Kygirl | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 6 | May 16th, 2012 12:50 PM |
2006 Ninja 125... Only running on one cylinder? | SV_Hadder | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 8 | February 7th, 2011 10:31 AM |
|
|