Fucking bike. ZR250

[Devil]

Godammit. Every second week theres a problem with it. Its making this biking thing less enjoyable.

It HAD been running fine, now it just doesnt want to rev over about 8 thousand, itll get to the redline on a light throttle but any more and its like it cant get enough fuel, the power isnt there and it sounds a little funny.
Its not like a giant flatspot where it chokes then clears, it just wont pull. It had been fine the day before. Under 8-9krpm it feel fine.

The plug caps are all attached properly, the leads are screwed in. I changed to reserve to make sure there wasnt a blockage in the top part of the main hose.
Where do I look next?

Fecking thing :(

[Blakamin]

Fuel filter? fuel pump?

[NC]

Get a new bike if it's causing you too much hassle :yes:

[Devil]

Fuel filter? fuel pump?
Im a bit of a noob, what should I look for? I dont even know where the fuel filter is :(

When I get a chance ill whip the tank off and check the air filter n stuff.

[Blakamin]

If you could take some photos i might be able to come up with an idea on where they are. I've never owned that model myself...
try following the fuel line outta the tank and getting photos...
if it goes outta the tank to something with wires, thats your pump.. it might be stuffed and not supplying enough fuel when the bike needs it.
after re-reading your first post, I'd say that this would be the problem. unplug it and connect some wires to your battery and the pump and see if it clicks.... you only need to do this for a second. if it doesnt do anything, its stuffed.. if it does, then we look somewhere else

[vifferman]

When I get a chance ill whip the tank off and check the air filter n stuff.:niceone: Now you're talking! This sounds like classic crudded-up airfilter behaviour.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Get a new bike if it's causing you too much hassle :yes:

Or buy a beemer - much more reliable :D

[Devil]

Or buy a beemer - much more reliable :D
Heh but I enjoy my 19,000rpm angry mosquito :)

[ben444]

Don't listen to 'em... you've probably got the best 4-stroke 250 around, and you don't want a ZXR. I was given a ZR Balius to play with for a couple of weeks and was suprised how well it went... I reckon it would beat a ZXR.

I can't remember, but I think they are vacume-feed(no fuel pump), so the faster the engine goes the more fuel goes into the carbs, so check that there is a small hose connected running from the fuel tap to the inlet ports.

It might be that, it might not. Cool bike though! :niceone:

[Devil]

Don't listen to 'em... you've probably got the best 4-stroke 250 around, and you don't want a ZXR. I was given a ZR Balius to play with for a couple of weeks and was suprised how well it went... I reckon it would beat a ZXR.

I can't remember, but I think they are vacume-feed(no fuel pump), so the faster the engine goes the more fuel goes into the carbs, so check that there is a small hose connected running from the fuel tap to the inlet ports.

It might be that, it might not. Cool bike though! :niceone:
Well thanks dude heh.

Yeah had a look last night, there is no fuel pump. I did consider the fuel breather being blocked (ie. last time I had the tank off I didnt point the hose in the right direction, so the tank ended up sitting on it) but sorted that and it made no difference.

Mechanic suggested trying to run it without the air filter, as it could be choking the bike with oil fumes. Its a foam filter and yes it was quite soaked, so ill have a go at whipping it out tomorrow.

[FROSTY]

next time it gives problems try undooing the tank cap and riding with it undone. -might still be a blocked breather hose. maybee -possibly the cdi is breaking down when its hot

[Devil]

hmmk.
Tried taking airfilter out, no difference.
When I checked out the breather hose, im pretty sure I could blow air through it, but not completely certain, some seemed to be getting through at least, ill try with the tank lid open.

If its the CDI, what do I do? I dont even know what the CDI is... :crazy:

[Paul in NZ]

If its the CDI, what do I do? I dont even know what the CDI is... :crazy:

Start saving $$

(ignition module)

Paul N

[FROSTY]

jeysus you've had some bad luck .Cdi Is the black box under the seat--dont think about fixing it --its a swap it for a goodun situation.
come say gidday and Ill get the number offa it for ya --see if a zxr one will do the job

[Artifice]

have you checked the charge on the battery?

or perhaps you may have fouled up one of your plugs.
sound like she not firing on all cylinders ?

[FROSTY]

well that bike has me head fucked. with no load on itll (much to the owners dismay) rev clean to redline. Yet when he puts a load on the engine it wont rev out.

[James Deuce]

well that bike has me head fucked. with no load on itll (much to the owners dismay) rev clean to redline. Yet when he puts a load on the engine it wont rev out.

Assuming mechanically it's OK, that sounds like the stator needs rewinding.

[Devil]

Ah well. Ive given up. The trusty mechanic has it now!

[Zapf]

well that bike has me head fucked. with no load on itll (much to the owners dismay) rev clean to redline. Yet when he puts a load on the engine it wont rev out.

from a car background, its sounds like its missing under load. And usually that is spark related, when at higher load hence more petrol the spark is not strong enough to ignite the more dense air / fuel mixture. have you looked at the plugs / tried new ones. Or new spark plug leads depends on how old they are..... ermmm water / moisture in the leads?

my 2 cent

[badlieutenant]

while this forum will prove invaluble the best bet is to buy a manual. Youll learn heaps the simple and best way, finding out for yourself. :niceone:

[Devil]

while this forum will prove invaluble the best bet is to buy a manual. Youll learn heaps the simple and best way, finding out for yourself. :niceone:
I appreciate your advice, but if you can find a manual for a ZR250A you can have my first born son*.


*Disclaimer: Offer may be reconsidered on presentation of manual.

[That Guy]

Air filter clean? Check. (but sounds way too oily) Fuel breather not blocked? Check. Fuel supply not blocked? Check? if it revs with no load then won't under load then sounds to me like fuel starvation. The machine will use more fuel under load than it would for the same revs under no load. If the fuel lines and filters etc are all clear (and assuming its not electrical; coils, CDI, pick ups etc) I would suggest take the carbs apart, clean them, and check the float bowl height. The sympton of it getting to high revs when you only gently open the throttle but then it won't when you crack it open (and it won't get there under load) sounds to me like the float bowl is running dry - check the float bowl height, they can go out of adjustment sometimes. That is cheap to check (ie free! just your own time) so worth a check. If you are convinced that fuel supply is ok, I'd start with plugs, then plug cpas and leads, then coils, then either pick ups in the stator (like Jim says) or CDI. I'd do it in that order as I'd try the cheapest to replace bits first! :msn-wink:

[Devil]

Air filter clean? Check. (but sounds way too oily) Fuel breather not blocked? Check. Fuel supply not blocked? Check? if it revs with no load then won't under load then sounds to me like fuel starvation. The machine will use more fuel under load than it would for the same revs under no load. If the fuel lines and filters etc are all clear (and assuming its not electrical; coils, CDI, pick ups etc) I would suggest take the carbs apart, clean them, and check the float bowl height. The sympton of it getting to high revs when you only gently open the throttle but then it won't when you crack it open (and it won't get there under load) sounds to me like the float bowl is running dry - check the float bowl height, they can go out of adjustment sometimes. That is cheap to check (ie free! just your own time) so worth a check. If you are convinced that fuel supply is ok, I'd start with plugs, then plug cpas and leads, then coils, then either pick ups in the stator (like Jim says) or CDI. I'd do it in that order as I'd try the cheapest to replace bits first! :msn-wink:
Have checked:
Airfilter.
Breather
Fuel supply.
Plugs replaced in the last month.
Float level and mixture also adjusted to manual spec same time as plugs changed.
Uhm, havent been able to find another CDI to try.
I do think my leads/caps are slightly dodgy, but I think thats a side issue. Will probably replace anyway.

Its with the mechanic now anyway.
Cam chain has become noisy as well, could potentially throw the timing out by a couple of degrees.

[That Guy]

I do think my leads/caps are slightly dodgy, but I think thats a side issue.

Plug leads and caps can cause all sorts of mischief - they're cheap and easy to replace and given the pain the bike is putting you through and it sounds like they are pretty tired I'd put new ones in.

Try to borrow a CDI like you say to test before you buy one - I think it is more likely the coils or the pick ups though......

[FROSTY]

hey devil--my 750 was running like a hairy bastard -turns out a lot of my hassles were caused by shit in the fuel.

[Slingshot]

[QUOTE=That Guy]Plug leads and caps can cause all sorts of mischief - they're cheap and easy to replace and given the pain the bike is putting you through and it sounds like they are pretty tired I'd put new ones in.[QUOTE]

My asre they're cheap.

I replaced the caps on my Suzuki GSXr250RR and it cost me over two hundy.

I had to get genuine one cause they had to be a funny resistance. :angry2:

[Devil]

Update: Mechanic found dookie* in one of the carbs, blocking fuel completely.

Now she's hauling ass again. yay!

130km on 10 litres though. But I guess thats not too bad if you imagine a ZXR250 with no fairings/aerodynamics with a 90kg rider...

Next on my shopping list are progressive springs (mechanic thought it was jumping around a bit at 170km/h), and new leads and caps

*random sludge