04 250R problem starting

[ognahtanoj]

First time posting on here. Mostly been on here for information ever since I got my 2004 Ninja 250R about a year ago from my friend who was giving it up cuz it was just sitting for years, wouldn't start, and doesn't run. It has about 4000 miles on it. Sorry if this has been posted already but I've run out of ideas. I started by pulling the carbs about 10 times lol and finally figuring out how to clean them properly and the bike finally started by bump starting and with some starter fluid. The choke had to be wide open and if I applied any throttle, the bike would die. I replaced the idle mixture screws and adjusted them accordingly started the bike and left it running for a bit but noticed some white smoke coming from the bottom of the engine. From here I had to replace both spark plugs twice because they were fouling and ever since then it won't start at all. Today, I adjusted the valves according to the guide on this site and noticed they were all way too tight to start. Double checked everything. Still no luck. I'm still not sure if gas is getting to the engine but other than that I can't figure out what's wrong. Please help.

[ducatiman]

Originally Posted by ognahtanoj

First time posting on here. Mostly been on here for information ever since I got my 2004 Ninja 250R about a year ago from my friend who was giving it up cuz it was just sitting for years, wouldn't start, and doesn't run. It has about 4000 miles on it. Sorry if this has been posted already but I've run out of ideas. I started by pulling the carbs about 10 times lol and finally figuring out how to clean them properly and the bike finally started by bump starting and with some starter fluid. The choke had to be wide open and if I applied any throttle, the bike would die. I replaced the idle mixture screws and adjusted them accordingly started the bike and left it running for a bit but noticed some white smoke coming from the bottom of the engine. From here I had to replace both spark plugs twice because they were fouling and ever since then it won't start at all. Today, I adjusted the valves according to the guide on this site and noticed they were all way too tight to start. Double checked everything. Still no luck. I'm still not sure if gas is getting to the engine but other than that I can't figure out what's wrong. Please help.

I dunno....I'll go out on a limb and submit your carbs are not cleaned, nor setup properly, resulting in no start condition.

"sitting for years" requires extreme carb cleaning methods and some internal parts replacement as well.

Suggest a read of this coincidentally related thread https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=337173

[ognahtanoj]

I’ll try taking pictures of everything. But for the most part all the jet holes have been cleared using small wires and compressed air what else needs to be cleaned and or replaced? I also changed out the float needle valves. The bike started but would die when applying throttle. Then it stopped starting when I noticed white smoke coming from the bottom of the engine.

[ducatiman]

Pictures are meaningless, there are internal circuits involved not visible.

Wire unable to penetrate nor clear winding internal circuits which are compromised to some degree in carbs sitting for years.

Consider my pro services. It'll be a one shot deal, bolt on, ride.

As is you'll be screwin' around forever.

[DannoXYZ]

If bike has been sitting for years, carbs need deeper and more thorough cleaning than just clearing out jet holes. They'll need:

- hidden fuel-passages in carb body flossed out
- bleed holes in emulsion tubes flossed out
- everything soaked in ultrasonic cleaner using radioactive caustic solvents (carb-cleaner sprays no longer have chlorinated cutting agents)
- micro soda-blasting at 10000psi

You'll want to restore carbs back to factory-fresh clean condition. Bike will then run like brand-new off showroom floor. Since bike doesn't run like off showroom floor means carbs are not factory-fresh clean. Please review these threads for what needs to be done (with photos):

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=333573
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=333176
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=334365
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=330213
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=330960
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=323737
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=323452
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=322846
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=321223
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=317977
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=317810
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=316395
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=315193
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=299855
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=280658

[Hexadecimus]

Check cold compression, but the fact that it starts on starting fluid tells us that it's a fuel problem. That rules out a lot. Chances are the pilot circuit is plugged because you need to use full choke. Yank the carbs and redo them.

I rebuild carbs but you might find someone locally who can ultrasonic clean them cheaper. Doesn't require anything "radioactive". Maybe that's a misnomer for something.

[Ninja Rob]

Get your carbs serviced by Ducatiman. He sold me a refurbed set. Problem solved. I too changed my plugs and the whole list above. I probably should have just started with the carbs first.

[Ninja Rob]

Pic of the carbs.