Bike has sat for a year, won't start

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 09:49 AM

Hey, guys, new owner of a 2005 Ninja 250. Very happy with this bike, in pristine condition. Previous owner didnt ride it for a year, and it had bad gas in it. Gas smelled TERRIBLE.

Drained the old gas, drained the carb bowls, still cant get it to start. Turns over, but wont fire up. A few times it has acted like it wanted to start, what should i do?

Cuongism · June 11th, 2011, 09:54 AM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65198

"A" · June 11th, 2011, 09:55 AM

No need for carb disassembly yet. Poor SeaFoam directly into carbs, let sit for few hours, if not a day or two.
Mix Seafoam w/fresh fuel.. then try to re-start.
If SeaFoam does not work, then take apart the carbs.

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:01 AM

K, I'm a mechanic, so im sure i can figure it out, but where exactly do i pour the seafoam to get it directly into the carb. And just mix it with the gas in there?

CmichRider · June 11th, 2011, 10:04 AM

You put new gas in it after draining it, right?

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:07 AM

lol yes, drained carb bowls, drained gas, added new gas.
Also, when draining the carb bowls, i was supposed to turn the "petcock" to prime. is that the same as turning the key to on? never heard the term petcock.

money · June 11th, 2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d16soda

lol yes, drained carb bowls, drained gas, added new gas.
Also, when draining the carb bowls, i was supposed to turn the "petcock" to prime. is that the same as turning the key to on? never heard the term petcock.

Nope. The petcock is the reserve tank dealie on the uh... left side, I believe.

http://www.obairlann.net/reaper/moto...serve-faq.html

CmichRider · June 11th, 2011, 10:14 AM

Do the pre-gen Ex250s have a prime setting? I thought it was just reserve, on, off.

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:15 AM

well on my "petcock" (feel like im talking about a domesticated chicken) there are only 3 options, On, Off, and Reserve. Which should I keep it to when draining the carb bowls?

CmichRider · June 11th, 2011, 10:21 AM

Dunno, but if the thread that Cuong linked you to above doesn't help, try the wiki:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_bike...get_it_started

I feel like Kkim's is better tho, but it's good to have multiple sources.

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:22 AM

already used the wiki, it say to set petcock to prime. I HAZ NO PRIME. lol, but really, just turn it to "on" then? surely someone knows this.

CmichRider · June 11th, 2011, 10:27 AM

I would bet money that ON would be the next option after the non-existent PRIME.

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:29 AM

lol thought so but, i am not acquainted with motorcycles and i am going to clarify everything. <3 this bike and its such a tease just looking at it in my driveway.

Cuongism · June 11th, 2011, 10:30 AM

The pre-gens don't have a prime, just on (for normal riding), off (when you're not riding to prevent leakage), and reserve (to access gas at the bottom of your tank). Are you trying to drain your tank or your carbs? The petcock controls the fuel in the tank, but to drain your carbs is a lot easier.

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 10:33 AM

i want to correctly drain my carbs.
i want to try to clear the carbs enough to ride it to my shop on monday so i can overhaul the carbs.
basically, want to drain, and seafoam everything, get it to ride about 10 miles, then im fine.

no tools here, and i just want to get the bike to my shop

Cuongism · June 11th, 2011, 10:37 AM

If you're just draining the carbs, there's two drain screws underneath your carb next to each float bowl. They're essentially just valves where counterclockwise will open the valve to let the gas drain. The gas drains from two nipples next to the screws. I attach 5/16 ID hosing to the nipples to make it cleaner, but you can hold any type of container underneath it.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to_...he_float_bowls

d16soda · June 11th, 2011, 11:19 AM

yeah ive done that already. still to no avail. where can i spray seafoam directly in the carb? im going to try starter fluid as well...

speedgsx98 · June 13th, 2011, 05:31 PM

If the gas smelled that bad, it prob sat for more than a year. I just bought a non-running 2005 ninja 250 a couple months ago. Same deal. You'll need to pull the carbs which is a bit of a pain as you need to remove the under fender in order to slide the airbox off, but once off, remove the carbs, then the pilot and main jets after pulling off the float bowls. My float bowl gasket were completely flattened and I don't like to risk putting a used one back on with fuel, so I bought 2 new ones which were MUCH better! Both pilot and mains will be clogged with old gummed up fuel. The pilots of course, and also the mains with have little tiny holes on the side of the jet...those will most likely be clogged. You'll want to put the jets in a carb shaker at a local shop, or just buy some new ones online at a discount retailer to save a few bux. I think buying 2 new pilots and mains is about $40 or so total. Not sure. One of my needle/seat for the floats was totally stuck in there and I had to break it to get it out. That cost me $25 for the replacement. My petcock was also fooked and the filters on the fuel taps that reach inside the tank were withered away. So, had to buy a new one of those as well. But it runs great now! Spent $150 or so on parts including a tank bath/coating for my rusty tank and I've been commuting on it regularly =)

Mine was covered in dirt and hadn't been ridden in 3 years when I got it. Now it looks like this!

d16soda · June 13th, 2011, 07:02 PM

My bike is identical! Same paint job, too! <3 it man, very clean.

So, today I took off the gas tank and got to spend about 2 hours on it after work. The petcock (gas shutoff valve?) wasn't letting fuel run out when it was in the reserve or on position. I removed it completely, and turned it to reserve and nothing came out. Shot some compressed air up the metal fitting, gas poured out for a minute. Took apart the petcock completely and blasted it with compressed air, but same thing. When i did shoot air up into the petcock (fully assembled gas tank), and then started the bike right after, it idled fine and ran great! for 15 seconds.... lol. Why is fuel stopping from coming out? Is the smaller hose on the petcock a vacuum? Is it not functioning properly? Is this a sign that the carburetor is still effed up? The bike did idle for those 15 seconds, and it did accept throttle with no choke. I have a feeling my problem lies in the petcock, and not the carburetor. Now, the bike was not ridden for 18 months, was not winterized, yet was garage kept its whole life. 3k miles on the bike, pristine condition. I need this bike up and running within the week, as it is my daily commuter. Where should I start? I have a very skilled mechanic (25+ years on cars, had bikes his whole life) helping me. I also have a shop with access to every necessary tool.

Thanks for the help guys.

speedgsx98 · June 14th, 2011, 12:45 PM

I still think you need to pull the carbs off and get to those jets to see what's up as I mentioned earlier. Best of luck and keep us updated!

Tony B · June 14th, 2011, 03:13 PM

As fuel runs out the tank, air must take up the space left, not sure how these tanks breath as I'm new to these bikes, but dead easy way to tell if breather is blocked, open the gas cap whilst the engine is running, if the bike keeps running, the breather is blocked.

d16soda · June 15th, 2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony B

As fuel runs out the tank, air must take up the space left, not sure how these tanks breath as I'm new to these bikes, but dead easy way to tell if breather is blocked, open the gas cap whilst the engine is running, if the bike keeps running, the breather is blocked.

Cleaned the carbs fully, runs great! Idles, too. All 4 jets were super clogged. Starts ans rubs cold with no choke.on my phone now, more updates tomorrow!
Posted via Mobile Device

FrugalNinja250 · June 16th, 2011, 07:43 AM

Because I didn't see it mentioned in this thread, to let you know, the petcock is vacuum-actuated, which means fuel will not flow unless there is vacuum on the nipple adjacent to the fuel hose connection. The motor will not generate vacuum unless it's running or cranking. When you drain the bowls it can take a fair amount of cranking time to keep the petcock open long enough to fill the bowls. I generally just stick a piece of hose on the nipple and apply vacuum with my mouth or a hand-pump vacuum tool like a Mity-Vac. If you do this with the bowl screws open and hoses from the bowl nipples to a container you can flush out the petcock and fuel hoses/connections fairly well, and verify fuel flow at the same time.

Fuel should stop flowing as soon as you release vacuum; if not, then the carbs need cleaning inside or the petcock vacuum diaphragm has been damaged.

kkim · June 16th, 2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

Because I didn't see it mentioned in this thread, to let you know, the petcock is vacuum-actuated, which means fuel will not flow unless there is vacuum on the nipple adjacent to the fuel hose connection. The motor will not generate vacuum unless it's running or cranking. When you drain the bowls it can take a fair amount of cranking time to keep the petcock open long enough to fill the bowls. I generally just stick a piece of hose on the nipple and apply vacuum with my mouth or a hand-pump vacuum tool like a Mity-Vac. If you do this with the bowl screws open and hoses from the bowl nipples to a container you can flush out the petcock and fuel hoses/connections fairly well, and verify fuel flow at the same time.

Fuel should stop flowing as soon as you release vacuum; if not, then the carbs need cleaning inside or the petcock vacuum diaphragm has been damaged.

excellent advice for everyone that owns a pregen!

June 11th, 2011, 09:49 AM	#1
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Bike has sat for a year, won't start Hey, guys, new owner of a 2005 Ninja 250. Very happy with this bike, in pristine condition. Previous owner didnt ride it for a year, and it had bad gas in it. Gas smelled TERRIBLE. Drained the old gas, drained the carb bowls, still cant get it to start. Turns over, but wont fire up. A few times it has acted like it wanted to start, what should i do?

June 13th, 2011, 05:31 PM	#18
speedgsx98 ninjette.org member Name: Dave Location: San Diego Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 ninja 2002, 2008 ZX10-R Posts: 149	If the gas smelled that bad, it prob sat for more than a year. I just bought a non-running 2005 ninja 250 a couple months ago. Same deal. You'll need to pull the carbs which is a bit of a pain as you need to remove the under fender in order to slide the airbox off, but once off, remove the carbs, then the pilot and main jets after pulling off the float bowls. My float bowl gasket were completely flattened and I don't like to risk putting a used one back on with fuel, so I bought 2 new ones which were MUCH better! Both pilot and mains will be clogged with old gummed up fuel. The pilots of course, and also the mains with have little tiny holes on the side of the jet...those will most likely be clogged. You'll want to put the jets in a carb shaker at a local shop, or just buy some new ones online at a discount retailer to save a few bux. I think buying 2 new pilots and mains is about $40 or so total. Not sure. One of my needle/seat for the floats was totally stuck in there and I had to break it to get it out. That cost me $25 for the replacement. My petcock was also fooked and the filters on the fuel taps that reach inside the tank were withered away. So, had to buy a new one of those as well. But it runs great now! Spent $150 or so on parts including a tank bath/coating for my rusty tank and I've been commuting on it regularly =) Mine was covered in dirt and hadn't been ridden in 3 years when I got it. Now it looks like this! __________________________________________________ 90 EX250 Ninja, 92 FZR600, 86 CR125, 77 GS750, 73 RD350, 86 CR250, RD350 in SRX250 frame, 75 RD350, 99 RM125, 99 GSXR750, 07 Reflex, 02 250 Ninja, 02 GSXR1k, 08 ZX10R, 07 250 Ninja, 05 250 ninja

June 14th, 2011, 12:45 PM	#20
speedgsx98 ninjette.org member Name: Dave Location: San Diego Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 ninja 2002, 2008 ZX10-R Posts: 149	I still think you need to pull the carbs off and get to those jets to see what's up as I mentioned earlier. Best of luck and keep us updated! __________________________________________________ 90 EX250 Ninja, 92 FZR600, 86 CR125, 77 GS750, 73 RD350, 86 CR250, RD350 in SRX250 frame, 75 RD350, 99 RM125, 99 GSXR750, 07 Reflex, 02 250 Ninja, 02 GSXR1k, 08 ZX10R, 07 250 Ninja, 05 250 ninja

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New bike won't start. PLEASE HELP!!	Lookmomimaninja	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	39	September 4th, 2015 10:50 PM
Bought first bike and 1 day later it won't start: do I have a junk bike?	brendandubs	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	43	May 11th, 2014 07:59 AM
Bike won't start	Z300	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	21	August 26th, 2012 09:05 PM
Bike down...won't start	Lurkable	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	17	November 23rd, 2009 02:49 PM

June 11th, 2011, 09:54 AM	#2
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65198

June 11th, 2011, 09:55 AM	#3
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	No need for carb disassembly yet. Poor SeaFoam directly into carbs, let sit for few hours, if not a day or two. Mix Seafoam w/fresh fuel.. then try to re-start. If SeaFoam does not work, then take apart the carbs.

June 11th, 2011, 10:01 AM	#4
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	K, I'm a mechanic, so im sure i can figure it out, but where exactly do i pour the seafoam to get it directly into the carb. And just mix it with the gas in there?

June 11th, 2011, 10:04 AM	#5
CmichRider ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 227	You put new gas in it after draining it, right?

June 11th, 2011, 10:07 AM	#6
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	lol yes, drained carb bowls, drained gas, added new gas. Also, when draining the carb bowls, i was supposed to turn the "petcock" to prime. is that the same as turning the key to on? never heard the term petcock.

June 11th, 2011, 10:14 AM	#8
CmichRider ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 227	Do the pre-gen Ex250s have a prime setting? I thought it was just reserve, on, off.

June 11th, 2011, 10:15 AM	#9
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	well on my "petcock" (feel like im talking about a domesticated chicken) there are only 3 options, On, Off, and Reserve. Which should I keep it to when draining the carb bowls?

June 11th, 2011, 10:21 AM	#10
CmichRider ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 227	Dunno, but if the thread that Cuong linked you to above doesn't help, try the wiki: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_bike...get_it_started I feel like Kkim's is better tho, but it's good to have multiple sources.

June 11th, 2011, 10:22 AM	#11
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	already used the wiki, it say to set petcock to prime. I HAZ NO PRIME. lol, but really, just turn it to "on" then? surely someone knows this.

June 11th, 2011, 10:27 AM	#12
CmichRider ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 227	I would bet money that ON would be the next option after the non-existent PRIME.

June 11th, 2011, 10:29 AM	#13
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	lol thought so but, i am not acquainted with motorcycles and i am going to clarify everything. <3 this bike and its such a tease just looking at it in my driveway.

June 11th, 2011, 10:30 AM	#14
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	The pre-gens don't have a prime, just on (for normal riding), off (when you're not riding to prevent leakage), and reserve (to access gas at the bottom of your tank). Are you trying to drain your tank or your carbs? The petcock controls the fuel in the tank, but to drain your carbs is a lot easier.

June 11th, 2011, 10:33 AM	#15
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	i want to correctly drain my carbs. i want to try to clear the carbs enough to ride it to my shop on monday so i can overhaul the carbs. basically, want to drain, and seafoam everything, get it to ride about 10 miles, then im fine. no tools here, and i just want to get the bike to my shop

June 11th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#16
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	If you're just draining the carbs, there's two drain screws underneath your carb next to each float bowl. They're essentially just valves where counterclockwise will open the valve to let the gas drain. The gas drains from two nipples next to the screws. I attach 5/16 ID hosing to the nipples to make it cleaner, but you can hold any type of container underneath it. http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to_...he_float_bowls

June 11th, 2011, 11:19 AM	#17
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	yeah ive done that already. still to no avail. where can i spray seafoam directly in the carb? im going to try starter fluid as well...

June 13th, 2011, 07:02 PM	#19
d16soda ninjette.org member Name: pj Location: Atlanta Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	My bike is identical! Same paint job, too! <3 it man, very clean. So, today I took off the gas tank and got to spend about 2 hours on it after work. The petcock (gas shutoff valve?) wasn't letting fuel run out when it was in the reserve or on position. I removed it completely, and turned it to reserve and nothing came out. Shot some compressed air up the metal fitting, gas poured out for a minute. Took apart the petcock completely and blasted it with compressed air, but same thing. When i did shoot air up into the petcock (fully assembled gas tank), and then started the bike right after, it idled fine and ran great! for 15 seconds.... lol. Why is fuel stopping from coming out? Is the smaller hose on the petcock a vacuum? Is it not functioning properly? Is this a sign that the carburetor is still effed up? The bike did idle for those 15 seconds, and it did accept throttle with no choke. I have a feeling my problem lies in the petcock, and not the carburetor. Now, the bike was not ridden for 18 months, was not winterized, yet was garage kept its whole life. 3k miles on the bike, pristine condition. I need this bike up and running within the week, as it is my daily commuter. Where should I start? I have a very skilled mechanic (25+ years on cars, had bikes his whole life) helping me. I also have a shop with access to every necessary tool. Thanks for the help guys.

June 14th, 2011, 03:13 PM	#21
Tony B ninjette.org member Name: Tony Location: Surrey UK Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): GPX250 + many others! Posts: 184	As fuel runs out the tank, air must take up the space left, not sure how these tanks breath as I'm new to these bikes, but dead easy way to tell if breather is blocked, open the gas cap whilst the engine is running, if the bike keeps running, the breather is blocked.

June 16th, 2011, 07:43 AM	#23
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Because I didn't see it mentioned in this thread, to let you know, the petcock is vacuum-actuated, which means fuel will not flow unless there is vacuum on the nipple adjacent to the fuel hose connection. The motor will not generate vacuum unless it's running or cranking. When you drain the bowls it can take a fair amount of cranking time to keep the petcock open long enough to fill the bowls. I generally just stick a piece of hose on the nipple and apply vacuum with my mouth or a hand-pump vacuum tool like a Mity-Vac. If you do this with the bowl screws open and hoses from the bowl nipples to a container you can flush out the petcock and fuel hoses/connections fairly well, and verify fuel flow at the same time. Fuel should stop flowing as soon as you release vacuum; if not, then the carbs need cleaning inside or the petcock vacuum diaphragm has been damaged.