Effed up my Ninja 250

[UncleSensei]

Hey guys,

I've been a lurker on here for a little while and finally made an account because I messed up pretty bad I think and want/need your help...

Anyways let me start with a little back story. So back in 2013 I bought a brand new 2012 Ninja 250R. It was/is my first ever bike. I took an MSF BRC class, got my license, ATGATT. I rode the bike for a good little while and then I got really busy and didn't ride it for over a year.

So fast forward to the present and I bought a new battery because the bike would not start since I did not use a battery tender. I get the new battery and it got it charged. I put the battery in and attempt to start the bike. No go the first time. I try again, and it's slowly trying to get started up. I try a third time, and it finally turns on.

A few seconds after the bike turns on, a lot of gas just started to leak.

I turned the bike off, and tried to turn it on again but no cigar. Now the engine won't turn. You just hear the starter click.

I'm thinking that messed up the carbs. I'm not that mechanically inclined, but I can follow directions.

Did I royally mess up? Should I just take out the carbs and clean them? Does it sound like I could have messed something else up? I appreciate any help on here.

Thank you guys.

[sharky nrk]

Float needles not seating, carb bowls overfilling and running out of the overflow... really not that big of a deal to fix. Take them off and clean them.

[crazymadbastard]

clean the carbs and replace that battery. Change oil too. You will be fine.
Welcome!

[crazymadbastard]

also drain all the old gas.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by UncleSensei

........... Did I royally mess up? Should I just take out the carbs and clean them? Does it sound like I could have messed something else up? I appreciate any help on here.

Welcome, UncleSensei !!!

There is hope for you.

[UncleSensei]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone!

I'm glad to hear that it's most likely only my carbs that are the problem! Glad that it's not anything more serious.

I've never cleaned out any carbs and tried to search the wiki for some kind of tutorial but didn't find anything.

I'll just use this post by Motofool and see where that gets me.

I'll try and work on it this weekend if I have time. I'll update with the hopefully good news.

[cadd]

You haven't rode it in over a year? Where do you live?

If you live in a location with a harsh winter, did you treat the gas? Did you drain the carbs?

If you live in a warmer climate, the gas (in the tank and carbs) **may** still be ok. (I've had gas sitting in my snowblower in my heated basement for 3 years). Totally forgot I had the snowblower. And after 3 years, it fired right up.

But for you, the first thing I would is to drain the tank of gas completely (along with draining the carbs).

Next, put a gallon of new gas in and see if it starts. If it does, maybe buy a bottle of Seafoam and pour a little in to see if it'll clean up the carbs.

If that doesn't work, time to get more invasive.

[UncleSensei]

Originally Posted by cadd

You haven't rode it in over a year? Where do you live?

If you live in a location with a harsh winter, did you treat the gas? Did you drain the carbs?

If you live in a warmer climate, the gas (in the tank and carbs) **may** still be ok. (I've had gas sitting in my snowblower in my heated basement for 3 years). Totally forgot I had the snowblower. And after 3 years, it fired right up.

But for you, the first thing I would is to drain the tank of gas completely (along with draining the carbs).

Next, put a gallon of new gas in and see if it starts. If it does, maybe buy a bottle of Seafoam and pour a little in to see if it'll clean up the carbs.

If that doesn't work, time to get more invasive.

I live in the coastal region of Texas so no harsh winters here. I'll still drain the gas and carbs. We'll see what happens from there.

[ForceofWill]

You might be able to get away with just draining the bad gas that's in the float bowls. I'd try that first and see if it'll start. Last time the gas in my bowls had gone bad but the gas in the tank was still fine.

[adouglas]

Two things:

First:
Do a little bit of homework and get a basic understanding of how carbs work, so you know what you're supposed to be cleaning and why.

The key bit is this: Fuel flows into the carb float bowl, causing the float to rise. There's a needle on top of the float that blocks the inlet, so when enough gas has entered the bowl no more can get in.

As gas is drawn out of the bowl and into the carb throat (the venturi), the level drops, more gas enters, rinse and repeat.

It sounds like old gas has turned to gunk, preventing the needle from blocking the inlet.

Second and MUCH more important:
Learn from this experience. You've already created a big hassle for yourself and had to spend money needlessly because you neglected basic maintenance.

Don't let it happen again. If you're going to park the bike, put Sta-Bil in the fuel and hook up the battery tender.

[subxero]

first thing I would try is tapping the carbs with a rubber mallet, Sometimes that is just enough to get the floats and what not unstuck.

if that doesn't work, drain the carb, and repeat above, prime and try again

if that doesn't work start taking the carb apart to fix the issue.

[UncleSensei]

So I emptied out the gas (looked nasty) so my next step is clean out the carbs. The engine turns over now, but won't turn on. It might be another long while before I am able to clean them out since I am really busy with my internship/job and school. Such is the life of a working student.

Thanks for the help so far guys!

On a side note, I finally paid the my bike off today.

Now to figure out what I need from the DMV to get the title when I got free time...
So this is gonna take me a while...

[cadd]

Good luck! It'll probably take you a good afternoon to take the carbs out. It's a royal pain with the airbox in the way.

Let this be a good lesson for future riding seasons. A bottle of stabil is $7. Takes 2 minutes to pour some into your tank and you won't have this mess to deal with again. Oh...and if you don't want to buy a trickle charger/battery tender, take 10 mins to disconnect the battery and bring it indoors next time you don't plan on riding for a few months.

But there are some good youtube videos on how to clean the carbs.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by UncleSensei

So I emptied out the gas (looked nasty) so my next step is clean out the carbs. The engine turns over now, but won't turn on. It might be another long while before I am able to clean them out since I am really busy with my internship/job and school. Such is the life of a working student.

Thanks for the help so far guys!

On a side note, I finally paid the my bike off today.

Now to figure out what I need from the DMV to get the title when I got free time...
So this is gonna take me a while...

did you prime the system after you did all the work?

sorry have to ask

[UncleSensei]

Originally Posted by subxero

did you prime the system after you did all the work?

sorry have to ask

I did and it still wouldn't start....

Anyways long story short... my dad took the bike to a mechanic.

The mechanic said that gas had leaked into the engine

We got it fixed and I will never do the same mistake again. I rode her home from the mechanic today

If I ever stop riding my bike for more than a week, I will definitely store her properly next time. I have learned from my mistake.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Time to get her ready for the summer now.

[cadd]

Originally Posted by UncleSensei

The mechanic said that gas had leaked into the engine

We got it fixed and I will never do the same mistake again. I rode her home from the mechanic today

Do you know how did they fixed it? How much did they charge?

Your petcock may be leaking....dripping gas into the carbs. However, even if the carbs get overflowed, the floats should rise up and seal it....preventing gas from trickling through the motor into the crankcase.

Did the mechanic do an oil change as well? If not, there may be still gas in there. Open up the motor oil fill hole and put your nose right next to it to see if there is a strong gasoline smell in there.

[UncleSensei]

Originally Posted by cadd

Do you know how did they fixed it? How much did they charge?

Your petcock may be leaking....dripping gas into the carbs. However, even if the carbs get overflowed, the floats should rise up and seal it....preventing gas from trickling through the motor into the crankcase.

Did the mechanic do an oil change as well? If not, there may be still gas in there. Open up the motor oil fill hole and put your nose right next to it to see if there is a strong gasoline smell in there.

I am honestly not too sure. My dad is the one who took care of everything. I will check and see if the oil smells like gas or not.