Bike stalls out instead of starting

Ballardst · August 28th, 2016, 12:44 PM

A couple of months ago, my bike started stalling out around 3,000 rpm. It was almost as if it had become super cold blooded. I brought it to the shop where they professionally cleaned and rebuilt the carbs. I got the bike back about a month ago and it rode fine. I let it sit for about 2-3 weeks with a little more than the recommended amount of Stabil in the tank, and the tank half full (I wasn't expecting to take so long before I could get back to it). I had run the bike for a while after putting the Stabil in, so it got through the carbs. Now the problem came back. Even with full choke it stalls out at 3,000 rpm. I let it idle for a while and it got up to almost 5,000 rpm, but that's it. Any thoughts? Would running some seafoam help?

Edit: I've had the bike for about a year and a half, and usually ride it about every other week. So, it's not uncommon for it to go this long between rides and it's been fine before. I mean, the jets eventually clogged, but it took a whole year of it building up before it was a problem last time so I don't know why it would stop working right away this time.

cuong-nutz · August 28th, 2016, 01:04 PM

Even when you try to Rev past 3k it stalls? Does it idle fine?

Triple Jim · August 28th, 2016, 01:20 PM

Have you asked the shop if they'd help you out?

Ballardst · August 28th, 2016, 01:40 PM

I discovered the problem today and the shop is closed until Tuesday.

It idles OK, but when I put on the throttle more than a tiny bit it stalls out. It feels like I'm trying to start it in winter without the choke.

Triple Jim · August 28th, 2016, 03:05 PM

Do you have a fuel filter between the tank and carbs? It's kinda sounding like dirt/rust/sand is getting into the clean carbs and clogging things.

daverdfw · August 28th, 2016, 08:55 PM

friend of mine's bike was doing this and he had a clogged pilot jet. Maybe try some sea foam first?

Ballardst · August 31st, 2016, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Do you have a fuel filter between the tank and carbs? It's kinda sounding like dirt/rust/sand is getting into the clean carbs and clogging things.

I have not added one and I doubt the previous owner did. Is this an aftermarket addition I should do?

Triple Jim · August 31st, 2016, 07:53 AM

I like to have a small paper element fuel filter between the tank and carbs on all my motorcycles. Eventually I see little pieces of dirt through the clear plastic, and I'm glad it's there.

jkv45 · August 31st, 2016, 08:43 AM

I would drain the tank completely and refill before getting into it too deep.

Look for rust in the tank when it's empty. You may need an inline filter if it's rusty.

I'd also drain the floatbowls and catch what comes out so you can see if you have any deposits or water in the system.

Also check the intake snorkel and the air filter.

Ballardst · September 27th, 2016, 11:26 AM

It was water in the tanks. Thanks for all the suggestions to look at.

I think my gas cap is leaking water in when it rains. Are there any good aftermarket ones or should I just get a cover?

If I have rust high up in the tank, how weird I even see that? Is there a trick for looking for it?

Triple Jim · September 27th, 2016, 11:28 AM

A mirror and flashlight would let you see it, for whatever that's worth, but a good pleated paper inline fuel filter will prevent it from doing any harm now or in the future, unless it's so bad it creates a leak.

August 28th, 2016, 12:44 PM	#1
Ballardst ninjette.org member Name: J Location: Washington, dc Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	Bike stalls out instead of starting A couple of months ago, my bike started stalling out around 3,000 rpm. It was almost as if it had become super cold blooded. I brought it to the shop where they professionally cleaned and rebuilt the carbs. I got the bike back about a month ago and it rode fine. I let it sit for about 2-3 weeks with a little more than the recommended amount of Stabil in the tank, and the tank half full (I wasn't expecting to take so long before I could get back to it). I had run the bike for a while after putting the Stabil in, so it got through the carbs. Now the problem came back. Even with full choke it stalls out at 3,000 rpm. I let it idle for a while and it got up to almost 5,000 rpm, but that's it. Any thoughts? Would running some seafoam help? Edit: I've had the bike for about a year and a half, and usually ride it about every other week. So, it's not uncommon for it to go this long between rides and it's been fine before. I mean, the jets eventually clogged, but it took a whole year of it building up before it was a problem last time so I don't know why it would stop working right away this time.

August 28th, 2016, 01:04 PM	#2
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Even when you try to Rev past 3k it stalls? Does it idle fine? __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

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August 28th, 2016, 01:20 PM	#3
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Have you asked the shop if they'd help you out?

August 28th, 2016, 01:40 PM	#4
Ballardst ninjette.org member Name: J Location: Washington, dc Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	I discovered the problem today and the shop is closed until Tuesday. It idles OK, but when I put on the throttle more than a tiny bit it stalls out. It feels like I'm trying to start it in winter without the choke.

August 28th, 2016, 03:05 PM	#5
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Do you have a fuel filter between the tank and carbs? It's kinda sounding like dirt/rust/sand is getting into the clean carbs and clogging things.

August 28th, 2016, 08:55 PM	#6
daverdfw ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Fort Worth,TX Join Date: Nov 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 386	friend of mine's bike was doing this and he had a clogged pilot jet. Maybe try some sea foam first?

August 31st, 2016, 07:53 AM	#8
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	I like to have a small paper element fuel filter between the tank and carbs on all my motorcycles. Eventually I see little pieces of dirt through the clear plastic, and I'm glad it's there.

August 31st, 2016, 08:43 AM	#9
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	I would drain the tank completely and refill before getting into it too deep. Look for rust in the tank when it's empty. You may need an inline filter if it's rusty. I'd also drain the floatbowls and catch what comes out so you can see if you have any deposits or water in the system. Also check the intake snorkel and the air filter.

September 27th, 2016, 11:26 AM	#10
Ballardst ninjette.org member Name: J Location: Washington, dc Join Date: Aug 2016 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	It was water in the tanks. Thanks for all the suggestions to look at. I think my gas cap is leaking water in when it rains. Are there any good aftermarket ones or should I just get a cover? If I have rust high up in the tank, how weird I even see that? Is there a trick for looking for it?

September 27th, 2016, 11:28 AM	#11
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	A mirror and flashlight would let you see it, for whatever that's worth, but a good pleated paper inline fuel filter will prevent it from doing any harm now or in the future, unless it's so bad it creates a leak.