Gas issues, Gas tank questions

F9zSlavik · February 10th, 2020, 09:34 PM

I have been experiencing some problems with my 250 lately. She died on me on the freeway. I know she has a roughly 4.8 gallon tank, however I can only use about 2.5-2.8 gallons of it before she can no longer push gas to the carbs.

I have 2 transparent fuel filters so I can see when gas is flowing. At about 150miles from a full tank, she has trouble pushing gas. If I rock the bike back and forth, she has enough gas pushed over to allow it to flow again. Any idea what the problem might be?

Also, my gas tank gas 3 protruding metal tubes coming out of it. One goes to the carbs I think, 2 other just bleed out gas, which I am assuming they are just vents. The middle one, if I remember correctly, use to be plugged up but the rubber fell apart. Not sure if it has anything to do with it.

Here is a picture.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iWL...ew?usp=sharing

Kinda sucks to have to fill her up every 120-150 miles into a full tank. I added some carb cleaner but that really didn't do much. The leather on the seat was starting to show damage due to the gas fumes, I had to connect some hoses to redirect the fumes towards under the bike

DannoXYZ · February 10th, 2020, 10:50 PM

You know there's a "reserve" position on petcock right?

F9zSlavik · February 10th, 2020, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

You know there's a "reserve" position on petcock right?

LOL Hey Danno! Yes I do, doesn't work. Besides, reserve kicks in at under 1 gallon. I start having issues after using roughly 2.5 gallons.

jkv45 · February 11th, 2020, 07:11 AM

May need to pull the petcock. Sounds like the regular pick-up is partially blocked.

Because the Reserve doesn't work it would also suggest that the petcock may be the problem.

Not that much else that would do what you described.

Why 2 filters? The tank may need to be cleaned as well, which would also make sense. A buckle in the fuel line because of the filters can cause fuel delivery problems.

DannoXYZ · February 11th, 2020, 08:29 AM

Sounds like pickup tube screens may be clogged. Have to remove petcock and inspect.

Also test your external filters by running without them. If it works without, then you know they are causing restriction. Put back just one.

Good luck!

F9zSlavik · February 11th, 2020, 10:32 AM

Do i need to remove the tank for that? Obviously i need to drain the gas.

DannoXYZ · February 11th, 2020, 12:38 PM

Yeah, gotta remove tank to remove petcock.
Would be good time to measure petcock flow-rate too as you drain.

jkv45 · February 11th, 2020, 01:39 PM

Remove and drain the tank into a pan so you see what comes out.

From the sound of it you may need to clean and treat the tank, as well as repair/replace the petcock to get everything working properly.

Make sure your filter doesn't create a low point before the carb inlet. Also check the inline filter at the carb inlet.

February 10th, 2020, 09:34 PM	#1
F9zSlavik ninjette.org member Name: Gabriel Location: San Diego Join Date: May 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2005 / SFV650 2013 Posts: 41	Gas issues, Gas tank questions I have been experiencing some problems with my 250 lately. She died on me on the freeway. I know she has a roughly 4.8 gallon tank, however I can only use about 2.5-2.8 gallons of it before she can no longer push gas to the carbs. I have 2 transparent fuel filters so I can see when gas is flowing. At about 150miles from a full tank, she has trouble pushing gas. If I rock the bike back and forth, she has enough gas pushed over to allow it to flow again. Any idea what the problem might be? Also, my gas tank gas 3 protruding metal tubes coming out of it. One goes to the carbs I think, 2 other just bleed out gas, which I am assuming they are just vents. The middle one, if I remember correctly, use to be plugged up but the rubber fell apart. Not sure if it has anything to do with it. Here is a picture. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iWL...ew?usp=sharing Kinda sucks to have to fill her up every 120-150 miles into a full tank. I added some carb cleaner but that really didn't do much. The leather on the seat was starting to show damage due to the gas fumes, I had to connect some hoses to redirect the fumes towards under the bike

February 11th, 2020, 07:11 AM	#4
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	May need to pull the petcock. Sounds like the regular pick-up is partially blocked. Because the Reserve doesn't work it would also suggest that the petcock may be the problem. Not that much else that would do what you described. Why 2 filters? The tank may need to be cleaned as well, which would also make sense. A buckle in the fuel line because of the filters can cause fuel delivery problems.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

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February 10th, 2020, 10:50 PM	#2
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	You know there's a "reserve" position on petcock right?

February 11th, 2020, 08:29 AM	#5
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	Sounds like pickup tube screens may be clogged. Have to remove petcock and inspect. Also test your external filters by running without them. If it works without, then you know they are causing restriction. Put back just one. Good luck!

February 11th, 2020, 10:32 AM	#6
F9zSlavik ninjette.org member Name: Gabriel Location: San Diego Join Date: May 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2005 / SFV650 2013 Posts: 41	Do i need to remove the tank for that? Obviously i need to drain the gas.

February 11th, 2020, 12:38 PM	#7
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	Yeah, gotta remove tank to remove petcock. Would be good time to measure petcock flow-rate too as you drain.

February 11th, 2020, 01:39 PM	#8
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	Remove and drain the tank into a pan so you see what comes out. From the sound of it you may need to clean and treat the tank, as well as repair/replace the petcock to get everything working properly. Make sure your filter doesn't create a low point before the carb inlet. Also check the inline filter at the carb inlet.