Why won't my 250 Bandit start?

[turner]

i bought a bandit about 6 weeks ago or so as a non runner, it needed a new battery and cdi which i bought and it then ran, had a few goes up and down the driveway and engine sounded really good, come to it the next day and wouldn't start, i have taken the carbs to a specialist and he has looked at them and cleaned them up, spark plugs are near new. petrol is getting into the bowls from the tank but isnt gettin into the engine. very annoying. i had a chat to a mate of mine who is good with engines and he said it may be a 'vacuum problem' so it myt not be sucking the petrol into the enigne but i carnt understand why it isn't doin it. also i see there are two pipes coming from the carbs which connect together and then go into a small black box and i have no idea what this is for or if there should be something inside it.

would really appreciate any suggestions. thanks

[Blinkwing]

Lines could be blocked with gunk, fuel tap also.

[Fast Eddie]

you've come to the wrong place for helpful advice.. haha

Take air filter and air box off and squirt a bit of fuel manually into the carbs as you crank the motor and see if it runs like that for starters. If it does then you know you do have a fuelling problem and will have to trace it back, fuel lines, fuel tap, carb jets. If it doesn't run then probably not a fuelling problem and you will have to start diagnosis for everything. Or seek a bike shop and a bill..

engine will have to have, air, fuel, timing and spark.. hopefully you get some decent advice from someone that knows a bit more... unlikely on KB :D

[DrunkenMistake]

Fuel pump?
Or Vacuum hose could be split depending which you have.

[turner]

ye i have had the bike running by squirting fuel into the carbs and does run for a few seconds sometimes, already had the carbs cleaned at a carb shop, as said i have had the bike running before so with it all put together so its got fuel, air, spark and timing. but does anybody know what the box above the carbs is for?

[oneofsix]

ye i have had the bike running by squirting fuel into the carbs and does run for a few seconds sometimes, already had the carbs cleaned at a carb shop, as said i have had the bike running before so with it all put together so its got fuel, air, spark and timing. but does anybody know what the box above the carbs is for?

Air cleaner perhaps? A big black box with a sponge inside?

[Paul in NZ]

Check the fuel filter and tap. Prob has a vacuum tap and they can be difficult.

This would not be the first 250 bandit that has had 'issues' starting once something gets stuck in the tap :brick:

[turner]

Air cleaner perhaps? A big black box with a sponge inside?

haha, no its a lot smaller than that, almost the size of a rubix cube with a pipe coming out from it and , will try and get a pic up soon

[turner]

251825251826

[Fast Eddie]

251825251826

Find a workshop manual for your specific model. Thats going to be the most help man. If the bike runs with u squirting fuel into the carbs manually (of course it will only run for a few seconds unless u keep squirting more fuel in) then you have a fuelling problem. If you are sure the carbs are sweet then think about blockages in the fuel lines or the fuel tap or the tank itself.

definitely not uncommon to have blocked fuel tank/taps/lines.

no idea what the black box is you have. its not on either of my 2 carb'd bikes I just had a quick peek under the tank. so best to find a workshop manual for your engine/bike.

[Fast Eddie]

Check the fuel filter and tap. Prob has a vacuum tap and they can be difficult.

This would not be the first 250 bandit that has had 'issues' starting once something gets stuck in the tap :brick:


^^ yip, if you have a a dodgy tap or tank its very tricky - I personally had an issue of fuel starvation in a CBR250R and the final solution was to replace the tank with a new item. Prior to replacement tank we had tried cleaning the tap and internal fuel pickup lines in the tank with no success.. and it had even had 2 over night stays at the honda dealership and they couldn't fix it. So new tank it was in the end.

[turner]

thanks for the input so far guys but the fuel tank or line from the tank to the carbs isnt the problem, its seems to be gettin the fuel from the carbs into the engine, squirting fuel directly into the carbs will make the spark plugs wet but when fuel is in the carbs even with the tank on the plugs are dry

[unstuck]

Is it sparking?

[blackdog]

Have heard of 250 bandits having problems with the fuel tank too full.

[Hopeful Bastard]

Cant say i've come across this situation before. Sorry..

But does anyone know what damage can be caused by having water poured down your exhaust?? Wankers...

[Paul in NZ]

Cant say i've come across this situation before. Sorry..

But does anyone know what damage can be caused by having water poured down your exhaust?? Wankers...

As long as it didnt reach the engine you are sweet - drain it and away you go.

If you think it reached the engine - plugs out and spin it over a few times, refit plugs.

What happened?

[Paul in NZ]

thanks for the input so far guys but the fuel tank or line from the tank to the carbs isnt the problem, its seems to be gettin the fuel from the carbs into the engine, squirting fuel directly into the carbs will make the spark plugs wet but when fuel is in the carbs even with the tank on the plugs are dry

So the float bowls are 'full' and it wont suck it into the engine????

You sure?? How did you test that? and how good was the person that went through your carbs?

[Hopeful Bastard]

As long as it didnt reach the engine you are sweet - drain it and away you go.

If you think it reached the engine - plugs out and spin it over a few times, refit plugs.

What happened?


Left bike in secure storage at work. Turns out someone from work doesnt like the fact i have a bike and put water down in from the hose...

[Paul in NZ]

Thats a pretty shite thing to do.

Sing out if you need help getting it sorted or get the shop to do it and invoice your company??

[Hopeful Bastard]

Thats a pretty shite thing to do.

Sing out if you need help getting it sorted or get the shop to do it and invoice your company??

Seems to be running fine. But somehow there is still a bit of water in the Muffler.. Cant be bothered with it now. Heat will eventually dry it out.. (hopefully)



Back to the OP, Have you checked ALL the lines into the carbs. I took my tank off the other day and had petrol come out from every damned line there was... :facepalm:

A quick positioning of tank on ground and then attention to the hoses stopped any more fuel comin out from where it shouldnt. Turned around to find the tank dripping petrol (remainder of what was in the shaft) over the ground...



Maybe take the tank off and see if it drips?


Also check the air lines for blockages? And the air box?

[turner]

So the float bowls are 'full' and it wont suck it into the engine????

You sure?? How did you test that? and how good was the person that went through your carbs?

yes that seems to be the problem. to see if fuel is in the bowls there is a screw underneath each of the bowls and if you unscrew it fuel will start to drip out . the place that looked at them was the 'carby shop' on empire street in hamilton, had a few people that mentioned they were good.

also yes it is sparking on all 4. gonna recheck it all again tonight and give it another go

[Paul in NZ]

yes that seems to be the problem. to see if fuel is in the bowls there is a screw underneath each of the bowls and if you unscrew it fuel will start to drip out . the place that looked at them was the 'carby shop' on empire street in hamilton, had a few people that mentioned they were good.

also yes it is sparking on all 4. gonna recheck it all again tonight and give it another go

Ah - thats the problem maybe. The floatbowl should have like a small cup of fuel in it. It should make a hoah of a mess when you take the bung out..... The feed from the tanks likely to be the issue

[ducatilover]

Ring the bike shop and ask what your float levels were set to, then post up what they said.

What is your fuel tap set to?
What's your battery voltage whilst cranking?
Are you sure you've fitted the carbs correctly and there are no air leaks?
Is the CDI unit the correct one for the bike?
Have you got the clutch in and stand up (in the event of a crap sidestand switch or clutch sensor that stops ignition)
Replace your fuel filter too if you're pulling it apart, it requires fuel tap removal but is easy, cheap and a good thing to do.

Good luck.

[tnarg]

My Bandit used to be an ass to start, then started turning fuel tap off now its starts no problems. No choke. Read something on here about bandit starting problems.

[actungbaby]

Hi id say it should be easy fix once you work it out i had suzuki 450 twin was the same i gave up sold it
And guy brought it said he just spray some petrol into the carbs direct and fire up no problems mind you been sitting for years

How much did the cdi cost just curious i think my vt 250 is fried mind you need new engine as well

dont take this thwe wrong way but you havent knocked the kill switch off besides that may be that i know does need the vacum from the motor is way the carbs work for throttle opening and amount fuel but this is more for emssions i whouldint think stop motor starting

am not a mechanic though


i bought a bandit about 6 weeks ago or so as a non runner, it needed a new battery and cdi which i bought and it then ran, had a few goes up and down the driveway and engine sounded really good, come to it the next day and wouldn't start, i have taken the carbs to a specialist and he has looked at them and cleaned them up, spark plugs are near new. petrol is getting into the bowls from the tank but isnt gettin into the engine. very annoying. i had a chat to a mate of mine who is good with engines and he said it may be a 'vacuum problem' so it myt not be sucking the petrol into the enigne but i carnt understand why it isn't doin it. also i see there are two pipes coming from the carbs which connect together and then go into a small black box and i have no idea what this is for or if there should be something inside it.

would really appreciate any suggestions. thanks

[Ultrasonic2]

if the diagnoses is the fuel is getting to the bowel but it's not getting fuel in the cylinders is correct then it should be a float level issue

you can easily count out the fuel tap just remove the tank and use a funnel to put petrol down the fuel line. This way if it starts you know it is a problem with the tap for sure.

you can test to make sure fuel is getting to the bowel while you have done the above open the drain plug on one of the carbs and the fuel will start pissing out and the fuel level in your fuel line will start dropping.


last week i had a problem where i couldn't start the bike even though it was going 2 days ago i removed the CDI and put it back on and then i could start it

[turner]

Hi id say it should be easy fix once you work it out i had suzuki 450 twin was the same i gave up sold it
And guy brought it said he just spray some petrol into the carbs direct and fire up no problems mind you been sitting for years

How much did the cdi cost just curious i think my vt 250 is fried mind you need new engine as well

dont take this thwe wrong way but you havent knocked the kill switch off besides that may be that i know does need the vacum from the motor is way the carbs work for throttle opening and amount fuel but this is more for emssions i whouldint think stop motor starting

am not a mechanic though

the CDI unit cost $200 from ebay inc delivery.


Ring the bike shop and ask what your float levels were set to, then post up what they said.

What is your fuel tap set to?
What's your battery voltage whilst cranking?
Are you sure you've fitted the carbs correctly and there are no air leaks?
Is the CDI unit the correct one for the bike?
Have you got the clutch in and stand up (in the event of a crap sidestand switch or clutch sensor that stops ignition)
Replace your fuel filter too if you're pulling it apart, it requires fuel tap removal but is easy, cheap and a good thing to do.

Good luck.

battery is brand new but sure on the voltage whilst cranking, have double and checked the carbs and my dad has checked them, an ye CDI unit is correct for the bike, and tried clutch in stand up aswell, the thing that is bugging me is that i have had the bike running and its decided to be a pain in the arse, got a brand new fuel filter in aswell.


if the diagnoses is the fuel is getting to the bowel but it's not getting fuel in the cylinders is correct then it should be a float level issue

you can easily count out the fuel tap just remove the tank and use a funnel to put petrol down the fuel line. This way if it starts you know it is a problem with the tap for sure.

you can test to make sure fuel is getting to the bowel while you have done the above open the drain plug on one of the carbs and the fuel will start pissing out and the fuel level in your fuel line will start dropping.


last week i had a problem where i couldn't start the bike even though it was going 2 days ago i removed the CDI and put it back on and then i could start it

as mentioned above the bike was running before i had touched the carbs or checked any float levels. but will try removing the CDI, always worth a try,

[ducatilover]

Tried push starting it?
You may not be getting enough vacuum with the engine cranking to pull fuel through the carbs.


I'm assuming your fuel line isn't kinked?
Ignition coils all wired nicely?

Try cranking it without opening the throttle for a while too.

[turner]

Tried push starting it?
You may not be getting enough vacuum with the engine cranking to pull fuel through the carbs.


I'm assuming your fuel line isn't kinked?
Ignition coils all wired nicely? .
all the wiring on the bike is clean. have just tested the coils on the bike and the resistance was outside the specs. reckon this could be the problem?
if so do coils from other bikes e.g. 400 bandit or GS500 fit it?

[nzspokes]

But didnt you say it starts you pour petrol down the carbs?

If so its not spark.

[ducatilover]

But didnt you say it starts you pour petrol down the carbs?

If so its not spark.
Weak spark could be the issue.


all the wiring on the bike is clean. have just tested the coils on the bike and the resistance was outside the specs. reckon this could be the problem?
if so do coils from other bikes e.g. 400 bandit or GS500 fit it?
Any boils will do.
But, did you allow for the resistance of the leads on the multimeter/ohm meter?
It's possible it's a spark problem, more likely your battery voltage is dropping to low whilst cranking. I'd try push starting it.

[nzspokes]

But if it was weak spark why would it run when fuel poured into the carb?

[ducatilover]

But if it was weak spark why would it run when fuel poured into the carb?
More fuel to ignite/burn. Would go "thump thump flup" or however you type the noise I have in my head.

[Ultrasonic2]

when you say you replaced the CDI . what CDI did you replace it with . do you have a pic of it or a link . cos i bought a china cdi it worked for 15 minutes then stopped working

[lone_slayer]

I would try some start ya bastard... just keep spraying into your airbox till the bike starts if your bike is anything like my gsxr250 its not a fan of starting if been left for a while.

If you think its your CDI I have a spare 1 for $40 for a GSXR250 dont know if they are the same or not but can put up a picture if your interested.

Also GSXR250's flood very easily how are you starting it?
If mines been left for more than a week and a half your best to switch the tank to prime for a while before trying then full choke no accelerator or start ya bastard full choke no accelerator...

Once started as long as you start it once a week its just full choke no accelerator fires straight away and once warmed up for atleast a few hours you wont need the choke...

So my bike is a GSXR250 1990 GJ72 pretty sure the engine is the same as the bandit but the electronics may be different..

Hope this helps and good luck

[MSTRS]

... got a brand new fuel filter in as well.




I'm assuming your fuel line isn't kinked?


Two common problems...
Added a fuel filter, but didn't reduce the length of the hose = kink. Or hose ends up with a u-bend, like a sink trap.
Or fuel filter wrong way round. Some are one-way flow.

[ducatilover]

Two common problems...
Added a fuel filter, but didn't reduce the length of the hose = kink. Or hose ends up with a u-bend, like a sink trap.
Or fuel filter wrong way round. Some are one-way flow.
Also some in-line fuel filters will not let enough fuel through because the Bandit is gravity fed.
If it's overfueling on start up it might bore wash too, which can be interesting :innocent:
Personally I'd pull the in-line filter out and use the one Suzuki fitted in the tank.

[unstuck]

Carefull using ether based sprays on any machine, they get addicted to it.:yes:

[Fast Eddie]

I would try some start ya bastard... just keep spraying into your airbox till the bike starts

..and once warmed up for atleast a few hours you wont need the choke...




hhaha oh my lord..

Don't spray too much start ya bastard, it says on the can just one short little burst, you don't need F all of it at all.

and warmed up for a few hours?? :killingme ahh.. classic, think you'll find you only use the choke for about 30 seconds before shutting it off. bike should idle by itself and start by itself after that. If it doesnt its time for a tune and a clean up.

[lone_slayer]

hhaha oh my lord..

and warmed up for a few hours?? :killingme ahh.. classic, think you'll find you only use the choke for about 30 seconds before shutting it off. bike should idle by itself and start by itself after that. If it doesnt its time for a tune and a clean up.

Sorry was talking about starting and re starting the bike not running the bike with the choke on for that time. if the engine is warm no need for choke to start it was what i meant