Help! FXR150 engine won't keep going...

[m.tompkinsnz]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to motorbikes, and have an FXR150. I decided today to do an oil and filter change, which seemed fairly simple - following all instructions in the service manual. After doing this, on the first ride the bike started to splutter a wee bit about 2km down the road and the engine cut. The bike would go for a little when restarted, but got to the point where the engine wouldn't start.

After this, I had thought maybe I had filled the oil a little too high, as the manual said to check the window while the bike was 'upright' which i had originally assumed was on the stand but later thought I would drain a little so that the window showed oil at the full mark while the bike was vertical.

Can anyone help me as to what is going wrong... Can't help but think I've mucked up the bike!

Cheers,

Michael.

[mr bucketracer]

come in here and ask http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php/91-Buckets
but sounds like a fuel blockage to me.. a blocked engine breather can do the same as well

[bogan]

Touch any of the fuel system while doing the oil change?

How overfill was it when you filled it on sidestand? (should be done when bike is vertial and on a level surface front-back).right filter etc? no oil light?

Chances are if you've fucked it there will be at least 7 bucketracers willing to take it off your hands... so all is never lost :bleh:

[m.tompkinsnz]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to motorbikes, and have an FXR150. I decided today to do an oil and filter change, which seemed fairly simple - following all instructions in the service manual. After doing this, on the first ride the bike started to splutter a wee bit about 2km down the road and the engine cut. The bike would go for a little when restarted, but got to the point where the engine wouldn't start.

After this, I had thought maybe I had filled the oil a little too high, as the manual said to check the window while the bike was 'upright' which i had originally assumed was on the stand but later thought I would drain a little so that the window showed oil at the full mark while the bike was vertical.

Can anyone help me as to what is going wrong... Can't help but think I've mucked up the bike!

Cheers,

Michael.

[m.tompkinsnz]

Na I didn't, the only thing I can think of is that the fuel gauge was quite close to empty - but I immediately went down to get some more fuel in case this was the problem... After filling up the same problem continued... The only other thing I did was tighten the clutch play slightly, but I'm pretty sure I've set that correctly. It still idles fine in neutral but as soon as I put even a little throttle on it starts to choke!

The oil as it stands currently is at the top mark when the bike is completely vertical. This means that when it is sitting on it's stand, you can't see any oil through the window.

I got the oil filter through a motorbike dealership and it was the same size, and looked the same. No oil light but I've never seen one on the digital display so I'm not sure where I would see it.

Before I did the oil change, the bike rode fine, never shut off on me, but having not touched the fuel system I'm a little worried!

[Tazz]

Have you checked all the basics first, such as you have fuel? You haven't bumped the fuel tap to off? Any hoses come loose? Air filter housing all as it should be?

Unless you have a shit load of smoke coming out the exhaust (you'd probably notice that), or it's dripping out from under your bike (somewhat obvious too), I don't think the extra oil is your problem (but I could be wrong :p)

[m.tompkinsnz]

I was a little low on fuel, but I immediately went down to get more just in case that was it. After half filling the tank I tried again, bike rode for about a minute but then started doing the same thing. No smoke or anything is coming out of the exhaust, and I checked the fuel tap. It's pretty firm, and is on and the hose appears firmly connected. There is no liquid dripping from the bike, oil or fuel...

When I put a little throttle on the bike starts to choke (when standing beside it) but idling appears fine... Not sure about air housing but I haven't touched anything other than what I needed to and the bike was riding perfectly fine before I did today's work

[Tazz]

Don't panic man, a lot of the time these things are just something simple you've done without realizing.

I'd be checking that fuel is getting to the carbs next. If your tank was almost empty if might have sucked a bit of crap from the bottom down and blocked the hose.

Check on the tube for 'how to' vids.

Up shot of all this is you'll learn some new tricks ;)

[mr bucketracer]

Na I didn't, the only thing I can think of is that the fuel gauge was quite close to empty - but I immediately went down to get some more fuel in case this was the problem... After filling up the same problem continued... The only other thing I did was tighten the clutch play slightly, but I'm pretty sure I've set that correctly. It still idles fine in neutral but as soon as I put even a little throttle on it starts to choke!

The oil as it stands currently is at the top mark when the bike is completely vertical. This means that when it is sitting on it's stand, you can't see any oil through the window.

I got the oil filter through a motorbike dealership and it was the same size, and looked the same. No oil light but I've never seen one on the digital display so I'm not sure where I would see it.

Before I did the oil change, the bike rode fine, never shut off on me, but having not touched the fuel system I'm a little worried!take the carb of and remove the flot bowl and blow out , sound like a blocked idle jet

[m.tompkinsnz]

So correct me if I'm wrong but if the muck has been pulled through the hose into the carb, I'll have to clean that out?

I'm worried that due to how much I've tried it after each attempt at a remedy that I would have pulled it into the carb by now (and clogged the jets or something)!

Because I suck at finding videos, should I look at disconnecting the fuel line, and flushing it and the tank out? Or is there a better way to check that fuel is getting to the carb?

[m.tompkinsnz]

take the carb of and remove the flot bowl and blow out , sound like a blocked idle jet

Cheers, will give that a go for sure, this would still be the case if the bike is still idling fine?

[Yow Ling]

check the vent in the fuel cap

[mr bucketracer]

Cheers, will give that a go for sure, this would still be the case if the bike is still idling fine?i just bought a fxr 3 months ago , it would just idle but could not get it to rev out , was the main jet and idle jet blocked , the main was worse but still a bit of both

[bigreddog]

choke not stuck on?

[Rhys]

i just bought a fxr 3 months ago , it would just idle but could not get it to rev out , was the main jet and idle jet blocked , the main was worse but still a bit of both

That would make sense

[Tazz]

So correct me if I'm wrong but if the muck has been pulled through the hose into the carb, I'll have to clean that out?

I'm worried that due to how much I've tried it after each attempt at a remedy that I would have pulled it into the carb by now (and clogged the jets or something)!

Because I suck at finding videos, should I look at disconnecting the fuel line, and flushing it and the tank out? Or is there a better way to check that fuel is getting to the carb?

Nah you can just leave it there but make sure you set the flux capacitor to 4 mega torques before you use your hydraulic spaniard to counteract the the coefficient drag of the centrifugal bolt.

That's the long answer, the short one is yeah, you'll need to crack out the spray and wipe ;)

I'd be checking all the simple things people are mentioning first though, and then check them again, before you start twisting spanners.

Just google (or gizoogle) 'cleaning motorcycle carb' and you'll find plenty on them.
If you need help locally I'm sure the mention of beer or whiskey might get you some (can't guarantee it will be good help though haha).

Just be glad it is a carb and not an injection pump you're dealing with. There's always a brightside!

[jasonu]

. It still idles fine in neutral but as soon as I put even a little throttle on it starts to choke!
!

Are you sure the choke is in the run position?

[Bert]

check the vent in the fuel cap

Also check the engine breather/vent. A little half inch black hose Attached between the back of the engine next to the starter motor and into the bottom of the air box.

You might want to check if oil has got up into the air box first, take the filter out and have a wipe around the bottom of the air box.

[m.tompkinsnz]

Sorry I haven't replied in so long! Been a busy few days :)

Thanks to everyone that helped out and made suggestions - it indeed turned out to be a fuel problem, related to the bike being so empty upon riding. It had spent some time sitting idle a year or two ago and the tank still contained some of this fuel. There was some congealed fuel in the tank, and also in the carb which I took out and thoroughly cleaned out. The tank also contained flakes of what looked like rust - an 'orangey' red colour of which I can only guess was from the inside of the fuel tank (which also got a thorough clean as well as filters).

Bike is running great again, fuel mix screw was put back to where it was prior to disassembly - but I am curious to know if there is a simple way to set this for the benefit of the bike without having to use gas meters etc. I know that before I owed it, the carb was replaced, but by the previous owner so I'm guessing it wasn't last set by the manufacturer and although the bike is running OK, I'd be keen to know in my mind that it's not set too lean and damaging the engine consequently.

Again, thanks for all the help - I really appreciate it!

[Tazz]

Nice one man. Good effort :2thumbsup

[FatKnobbly]

get a fuel line filter most motorbike shops should sell them for about $10. stops shit from the tank getting into the carb saves you so much time and hassle