2005 Ninja 250 won't do anything but idle

Babyninja808 · August 17th, 2015, 01:49 PM

Bought a 05 ninja 250 about two weeks ago, bike had been sitting for 2+ years, brought it home, re coated the inside of the tank(was rusted out), cleaned carbs, new air filter, fresh plugs, fresh oil filter and oil.
It now starts and idles great after wiring the hell out of the pilot jets
The main issue is that idling is all it will do... It'll get up to 7k rpm's byt only with very slow throttle twist, anything over 7k's and it dies.
Then took the air box off the carbs, started it and came to the conclusion the diaphragms are only moving very slightly and very slowly.
Tried everything I could think of so I'm stumped and need some ideas, diaphragms aren't ripped or torn. Only other issue is the neutral light doesn't work, bulb is good and wiring is good, just haven't had a chance to get in the sprocket cover.

thejaredhuang · August 17th, 2015, 02:22 PM

Carbs are still dirty. How did you clean them? I found that boiling them in dishwasher soap and water is more effective than wires and carb cleaner. I spray mine out with carb cleaner and an air compressor afterwards.

Babyninja808 · August 17th, 2015, 02:54 PM

I don't think it's the carbs.. They've been cleaned like 6 times, is there anything else that would cause the diaphragms to not move?

VaFish · August 17th, 2015, 02:57 PM

Do you have good fuel flow?

Check for a vacuum leak?

Babyninja808 · August 17th, 2015, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaFish

Do you have good fuel flow?

Check for a vacuum leak?

How would I check the vacuums?

VaFish · August 17th, 2015, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyninja808

How would I check the vacuums?

Several vacuum hoses, look for loose or cracked hose. There also is the vacuum shut off Valve on the carb to prevent backfire.

Babyninja808 · August 17th, 2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaFish

Several vacuum hoses, look for loose or cracked hose. There also is the vacuum shut off Valve on the carb to prevent backfire.

No loose or cracked hoses, I'm stumped

thejaredhuang · August 18th, 2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyninja808

I don't think it's the carbs.. They've been cleaned like 6 times, is there anything else that would cause the diaphragms to not move?

Have you tried partially plugging the airbox? I'm guessing it will bog down and die if you try to rev too quickly?

I had a similar problem and it turned out that I had the wrong jets for my bike. I was using a set of carbs off another bike.

Babyninja808 · August 18th, 2015, 02:22 PM

Main jets are 105's, which I don't think are stock for this bike, also figured out the spacers for the needle were in wrong, so that could be the issue too..

choneofakind · August 18th, 2015, 02:32 PM

105 main jets are stock for the '88-'07 bike.

BoBO · August 18th, 2015, 04:19 PM

Carbs are still dirty, I was dealing with the same thing a few days ago. Just put Berryman fuel system cleaner run it on idle for a bit and eventually it will fix itself. As long as you can get it to idle. It will take some time but if you want to make the process a bit faster spray carb cleaner directly in the carburetor fuel hose plug it back it the tank and run on idle off and on until you can take it for a spin. Again this process will take time but eventually the chemicals will clean the varnish in the carbs.

If you are convinced that it's not the carbs spray water on the vacuum lines and if it runs better that mean the water helping the leak seal, meaning you have a vacuum leak. I really think it's the carbs unless your intake is obstructed which you can check easily.

Babyninja808 · August 18th, 2015, 05:00 PM

Okay so the lady I bought this thing from had taken it to a MOPED shop to be serviced, and they put the carbs back together wrong... The needle spacers were on the outside going into the main jet instead of in the main jet coming out, hopefully this solves the acceleration issue.

Babyninja808 · August 18th, 2015, 06:23 PM

It actually runs now with just very little bogging when the throttle gets cracked open, much much better than before, fuel started leaking from the bowls and the overflow though so now something with the floats are messed up

xXecuterXx2 · August 21st, 2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyninja808

It actually runs now with just very little bogging when the throttle gets cracked open, much much better than before, fuel started leaking from the bowls and the overflow though so now something with the floats are messed up

This Oughta do you some good.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_..._the_floats%3F

jkv45 · August 21st, 2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyninja808

It actually runs now with just very little bogging when the throttle gets cracked open, much much better than before, fuel started leaking from the bowls and the overflow though so now something with the floats are messed up

That's typically caused but some debris (usually rust from the tank) getting stuck under the fuel valve ("needle") and holding it open.

A float level that's way off could do it also, but usually it a problem with the "needle and seat" not stopping the flow of fuel into the floatbowl like it should.

Babyninja808 · August 21st, 2015, 03:07 PM

Float level has been taken care of, slight adjustments fixed it. No leaks anymore. Bike runs, only issue its got a lingering rev and sometimes revs on its own, usually around 4-5k figured it might be too lean so tried mixture adjustments out 3 turns, didn't change anything.. Thinking it must be a vacuum leak somewhere, so in process of replacing all the hoses. If replacing the hoses doesn't take care of it what else can I do??

jkv45 · August 22nd, 2015, 07:14 PM

Check the intake boots (between the carb and engine) for leaks by spraying something on them and listening for a change in rpms.

August 17th, 2015, 01:49 PM	#1
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	2005 Ninja 250 won't do anything but idle Bought a 05 ninja 250 about two weeks ago, bike had been sitting for 2+ years, brought it home, re coated the inside of the tank(was rusted out), cleaned carbs, new air filter, fresh plugs, fresh oil filter and oil. It now starts and idles great after wiring the hell out of the pilot jets The main issue is that idling is all it will do... It'll get up to 7k rpm's byt only with very slow throttle twist, anything over 7k's and it dies. Then took the air box off the carbs, started it and came to the conclusion the diaphragms are only moving very slightly and very slowly. Tried everything I could think of so I'm stumped and need some ideas, diaphragms aren't ripped or torn. Only other issue is the neutral light doesn't work, bulb is good and wiring is good, just haven't had a chance to get in the sprocket cover.

August 18th, 2015, 04:19 PM	#11
BoBO ninjette.org guru Name: Genesis Location: Paradise Valley Village, AZ Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): SC28 Fireblade Posts: 463	Carbs are still dirty, I was dealing with the same thing a few days ago. Just put Berryman fuel system cleaner run it on idle for a bit and eventually it will fix itself. As long as you can get it to idle. It will take some time but if you want to make the process a bit faster spray carb cleaner directly in the carburetor fuel hose plug it back it the tank and run on idle off and on until you can take it for a spin. Again this process will take time but eventually the chemicals will clean the varnish in the carbs. If you are convinced that it's not the carbs spray water on the vacuum lines and if it runs better that mean the water helping the leak seal, meaning you have a vacuum leak. I really think it's the carbs unless your intake is obstructed which you can check easily. __________________________________________________ 94 900RR 04 BMW Z4 2.5 M Package 01 R170 AMG Sport Package

August 18th, 2015, 06:23 PM	#13
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	Update It actually runs now with just very little bogging when the throttle gets cracked open, much much better than before, fuel started leaking from the bowls and the overflow though so now something with the floats are messed up

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August 17th, 2015, 02:22 PM	#2
thejaredhuang ninjette.org member Name: Jared Location: Socal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 37	Carbs are still dirty. How did you clean them? I found that boiling them in dishwasher soap and water is more effective than wires and carb cleaner. I spray mine out with carb cleaner and an air compressor afterwards.

August 17th, 2015, 02:54 PM	#3
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	I don't think it's the carbs.. They've been cleaned like 6 times, is there anything else that would cause the diaphragms to not move?

August 17th, 2015, 02:57 PM	#4
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	Do you have good fuel flow? Check for a vacuum leak?

August 18th, 2015, 02:22 PM	#9
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	Main jets are 105's, which I don't think are stock for this bike, also figured out the spacers for the needle were in wrong, so that could be the issue too..

August 18th, 2015, 02:32 PM	#10
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	105 main jets are stock for the '88-'07 bike.

August 18th, 2015, 05:00 PM	#12
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	Okay so the lady I bought this thing from had taken it to a MOPED shop to be serviced, and they put the carbs back together wrong... The needle spacers were on the outside going into the main jet instead of in the main jet coming out, hopefully this solves the acceleration issue.

August 21st, 2015, 03:07 PM	#16
Babyninja808 ninjette.org member Name: Brandt Location: Kapolei Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250 Posts: 11	Float level has been taken care of, slight adjustments fixed it. No leaks anymore. Bike runs, only issue its got a lingering rev and sometimes revs on its own, usually around 4-5k figured it might be too lean so tried mixture adjustments out 3 turns, didn't change anything.. Thinking it must be a vacuum leak somewhere, so in process of replacing all the hoses. If replacing the hoses doesn't take care of it what else can I do??

August 22nd, 2015, 07:14 PM	#17
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	Check the intake boots (between the carb and engine) for leaks by spraying something on them and listening for a change in rpms.