October 5th, 2012, 06:49 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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Sluggish rev, erratic idle, dies with throttle
I've got an issue I was hoping you guys could help me with.
So I have a 2008 Ninja 250. I've been riding it to work basically every day, except yesterday (rained), and have had no problems recently. The bike runs fine. Even took it for a 67 mile trip on Sunday. Today, I was going to start the bike up to ride it into work, when this occurred:
Even after warming it for about 10 minutes, this problem continued. It revved terribly slowly and if I gave it any throttle beyond about 1/3, it would immediately die. Also note that I was able to get it to idle with the choke off after warm. Seemed to be at exactly 1300 rpm there, which is good. Changes since I last rode it (two days ago)? 1. It drizzled a little overnight, and the bike was uncovered 2. I put a new chain on last night, but did not remove the rear wheel or change the sprockets (the sprockets were okay.) 16,000 miles on it. Could the carbs have gummed up overnight? Could something electrical be damp and causing this issue? Water in the gas? No idea! |
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October 5th, 2012, 07:35 AM | #2 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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It is very possible that water penetrated the tank and went down into the carbs' bowls.
I would try draining the bowls into a glass container and would check if water is present. If so, disconnect the hose from the carbs and drain the tank the same way.
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October 5th, 2012, 07:42 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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Thanks, I'll try this... What would be the reason I was smelling gasoline around the bike though (even before turning it on)? Related, possibly?
Also I've had it in the rain before and never had these issues. |
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October 5th, 2012, 08:25 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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Ok. Thanks for the advice Motofool - I think I'm still going to drain em.
However, it seems to be working now (???). I think it was a water issue SOMEWHERE. But now after sitting in the sun for a few hours it starts and revs fine! Weird weird weird. Still going to drain the carbs and look for water. |
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October 5th, 2012, 08:32 AM | #5 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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No idea about the smell of gas before turning the engine on.
Was the tank full before the rain? Is your bike old-gen? Mine is and it has had a similar problems sometimes before. The tank cap has a drain to avoid rain to enter the tank, but still does sometimes if rain is abundant. Water has flown into the bowls at time of opening the petcock to the reserve position (which picks up from the bottom of the tank, where any rain collects). There is also a drain for each spark plug well, which may be clogged, impairing one of both plugs.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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October 5th, 2012, 08:40 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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It's an '08 (new gen). But most of that stuff should be the same.
The tank was 99% full before the rain. The tank drain... that explains that hose leading from the tank to the ground under my bike xD. I couldn't figure out what it was for before, aside from maybe venting! I think the most likely explanations were that rain was in the carbs somehow, or that water collected around the spark wells or ignition system and caused it to fire weakly or not at all. I actually wish I had a reserve position on the petcock like you old-gens do. My gas gauge is broken and useless It stays at FULL all the time. |
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October 5th, 2012, 09:30 AM | #7 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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A few other factors can affect engine performance as well. Winter blend gas, cooler temps and humidity can make engine starts difficult. Sudden temp drops (such as temps in the high 70's then quick drops into the low 50's due to rain) can also cause some small amounts of condensation to form in the tank if not full (warm air inside the airbox can form small amounts of condensation too).
Colder fuel and air does not atomize as well, therefore making combustion sluggish and sometimes unstable until it reaches a good operating temp. One of the best things to do is to keep the bike well tuned at all times and if possible keep it covered during inclimate weather. Another easy thing to do also, is keep some Star Tron Fuel Treatment in the tank. The stuff works great and has some real good reviews. Last futzed with by DaBlue1; October 5th, 2012 at 01:46 PM. |
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October 5th, 2012, 11:10 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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Interesting.
Yeah I'm trying to take every precaution with the bike; keeping it covered where possible, etc. I'm also going to try to avoid having to winterize the bike by riding it through the winter. We'll see how long I last there lol. I've run seafoam through the tank twice now since I got the bike. What are your thoughts on Seafoam as opposed to Star Tron? (Never tried Star Tron). |
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October 5th, 2012, 02:12 PM | #9 | |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Fuel Testers also did a study on gas additives that had some interesting info. However not everyone will agree and each will have his/her own opinions and experiences. |
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October 7th, 2012, 06:03 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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Great info, thanks. I'll be trying it out.
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October 8th, 2012, 05:18 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.
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I had similar issues with mine this past weekend. I think it's fix now. Needed a new set of spark plugs. Always seems to be the simple things we forget about.
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October 8th, 2012, 05:47 AM | #12 |
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Name: Jason
Location: Norfolk, VA
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.
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i always assume people check plugs first, lol.
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October 8th, 2012, 06:20 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Stephen
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R, 2008 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: 263
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Heh. On the way to work this morning it was initially having some trouble when I went up a hill. It would start to die out and wouldn't rev up while going up a hill... I think there was still some water left in it (carb bowls?). Anyway, it cleared up after a couple minutes and now it's fine! Started right up in the cold (40 F) weather.
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