Engine wants to die when I give some throttle

[jcataldo]

Hello all... So this is sort of an additional issue to another post I had.

Bought a used 2010 250R this weekend with 4600 miles on it. Test drove it and had no problems. Brought it home and a couple days later I started getting an odd burning smell from the front end after a few minutes of idling, but it was rideable (I only took it around my street a few times, barely a few miles).

Then yesterday I wanted to see if the smell was still there or if some debris burned off. Turns out it is still there and after it warmed up for a few minutes and I gave it some throttle, the RPMs dropped and the bike died. Started right back up, gave it a few seconds, roll on some throttle - no rev and it died again.

I hope I didn't waste my money here. I've been reading a bit and it seems like everyone has a different opinion.. air filter, spark plugs, clogged jets, etc. Anyone dealt with this issue before?

Thanks!

[jkv45]

Start checking basic things - air filter would be one. Probably needs attention anyway.

Could be something as simple as bad gas. Before ripping things apart I would drain the tank and refill with fresh gas. Drain the floatbowl as well, and see what the gas looks like that comes out.

Any time you buy a used bike you need to go through it. Check everything - fluids, chain condition and adjustment, air filter, etc...etc...

[csmith12]

Its a newgent, don't forget the snorkle area.

[jcataldo]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Start checking basic things - air filter would be one. Probably needs attention anyway.

Could be something as simple as bad gas. Before ripping things apart I would drain the tank and refill with fresh gas. Drain the floatbowl as well, and see what the gas looks like that comes out.

Any time you buy a used bike you need to go through it. Check everything - fluids, chain condition and adjustment, air filter, etc...etc...

Yeah I kind of came into the bike world as a blank slate haha, may have gotten too excited and jumped the gun.. but I hope not. I will try to drain the tank and float bowls and see what that shows. Cleaning the carbs from what I've seen isn't THAT daunting, the only part that worries me is making sure I put it all back together properly.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by jcataldo

Yeah I kind of came into the bike world as a blank slate haha, may have gotten too excited and jumped the gun.. but I hope not. I will try to drain the tank and float bowls and see what that shows. Cleaning the carbs from what I've seen isn't THAT daunting, the only part that worries me is making sure I put it all back together properly.

Actually, it has been proven (over and over...) that cleaning the carbs properly can be more challenging than people think.

Study this section before touching the carbs - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Intake

There are some details included that often get overlooked.

[ducatiman]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Actually, it has been proven (over and over...) that cleaning the carbs properly can be more challenging than people think.

Agreed, JKV. Reading forum posts (not here) confirms it.... such as:

"carbs? its not rocket science"....200+ posts and 4 carb pulls later the OP bike still not right.

"carb clean? You should have that done in 90 minutes" 4 days, 3 cans of carb cleaner and 2 worn toothbrushes...ditto.

Of course, there's the old..."I've cleaned them x times...they look clean". Pleeauzze.

Avoiding frustrating, time wasting re-do's...the goal of getting them right the first go-round is greatly aided by modern machines and methods. The driveway- toothbrush- spray can method, though encouraged ("you can do it, its easy!") is truly inferior. There is much more than spraying the bowls and clearing the pilot jets. Setup, AFTER clearing all circuits (and confirming they are clear) is critical as well. Then of course, fighting the impulse to "throw fuel at the problem" exists. Oversized jets, stacks of shims...more is not often better.

Just some stuff to ponder.

Hey, jcataldo...i know you!

[jcataldo]

Originally Posted by ducatiman

Agreed, JKV. Reading forum posts (not here) confirms it.... such as:

"carbs? its not rocket science"....200+ posts and 4 carb pulls later the OP bike still not right.

"carb clean? You should have that done in 90 minutes" 4 days, 3 cans of carb cleaner and 2 worn toothbrushes...ditto.

Avoiding frustrating, time wasting re-do's...the goal of getting them right the first go-round is greatly aided by modern machines and methods. The driveway, toothbrush, spray can method, though encouraged ("you can do it, its easy!") is truly inferior. There is much more than spraying the bowls and clearing the pilot jets. Setup, AFTER clearing all circuits (and confirming they are clear) is critical as well. Then of course, fighting the impulse to "throw fuel at the problem" exists. Oversized jets, stacks of shims...more is not often better.

Just some stuff to ponder.

Thanks for the info. I've been on the ninjawiki all day and looking at some youtube videos (although I have to say, some of the people who post those videos should never touch a wrench again...). It just seems like there's no right answer. Just weighing the options now of try to do it myself as best as I can, or bring it to a shop, spend $200+ and hope they do it right and don't screw me over. What a PITA.

[ducatiman]

jc....look closer at my signature

[jcataldo]

Hey would ya look at that! haha.

And right! Met yesterday on the other forum, LI guy right?

[ducatiman]

correct.

and I'll bring you in WAY under that $200+ estimate

pull and drain the carbs, PM me for mailing info, further details

all parts in stock, quick turnaround

PS did you first try to drain tank, start with fresh fuel? Spark plugs checked? gapped and torqued?