FZR250r starting issue

**Hack0r** · 24th July 2011, 13:17

Hey everyone,

So I've owned my bike for maybe a month now. A few times its nearly been impossible to start. Twice I've actually had to push start it. I've narrowed it down and I'm 90% sure its only happening when I park my bike/try to start it on a upwards slow(front tire the highest)

It doesnt even want to fire when it happens. So I'm thinking that its over fueling the cylinders because of the slope and being carburated? and when I push start it the fuel is being cleared and it starts.

What do you think? I'm on the right page? Its bloodly annoying trying to push start the thing, would rather not do it any more.

**frogfeaturesFZR** · 24th July 2011, 19:58

I think FZR's have a fuel pump. When you turn the key do you hear the pump priming? Google fzr250 forums and ask there.

**Hack0r** · 24th July 2011, 20:34

Originally Posted by frogfeaturesFZR

I think FZR's have a fuel pump. When you turn the key do you hear the pump priming? Google fzr250 forums and ask there.

Yeah it definitely has a fuel pump, yeah I hear it priming.

**frogfeaturesFZR** · 24th July 2011, 20:40

The fuel pump will fill the carbs regardless of what slope the bike is on. Have you tried starting it with the petrol tap in the 'reserve' or 'prime' settings ?
Is your choke working ?
Because the carbs are above the fuel line from the tank the petrol won't gravity feed.

**Hack0r** · 24th July 2011, 20:51

Originally Posted by frogfeaturesFZR

The fuel pump will fill the carbs regardless of what slope the bike is on. Have you tried starting it with the petrol tap in the 'reserve' or 'prime' settings ?
Is your choke working ?
Because the carbs are above the fuel line from the tank the petrol won't gravity feed.

It appares to be over fueling so I havent tried starting it on reserve (I dont have Prime) and Both times my tank was just about full. Yeah choke works, normally starts no problems.

My engine knowledge is with cars, and I really havent had a lot to do with carbs. But my understanding is they hold an amount of fuel. I thought maybe with the angle, the carb is over fueling the engine and thats why its not starting.

If its not that, I'm lost as to what it is.

**frogfeaturesFZR** · 24th July 2011, 20:59

Unlikely, however if you pull the plugs and have a look next time you'll have a better idea. FWIW the 2 central plugs are a pain to get to. How old are the plugs?
You can download a workshop manual from the fzr250 website.
Have you checked the fuel filter ?
They are actually not to complicated once you get into it.

**Hack0r** · 24th July 2011, 21:12

Originally Posted by frogfeaturesFZR

Unlikely, however if you pull the plugs and have a look next time you'll have a better idea. FWIW the 2 central plugs are a pain to get to. How old are the plugs?
You can download a workshop manual from the fzr250 website.
Have you checked the fuel filter ?
They are actually not to complicated once you get into it.

I'll try and make it happen again at home then I can have a look. I havent pull all the plugs out yet. I pull one out and took it into the bike store because I was going to replace them. He said if they all look like that then not to worry about it.

Yeah I got a manual for a FZR400 which is pretty much the same I'm told.

Fuel filter looks new.

Yeah just a learning curve, cant wait to get something bigger and newer. That way I'm not dealing with a 20yo bike :P

**Paul in NZ** · 25th July 2011, 07:52

The little FZR's are a cunt to start. EVERYTHING has to be spot on. I mean you are dealing with an engine that was right on the limit of what was possible when it was made with heaps of valves and HUGE carbs.

Add in 30 years of prodigious abuse from impoverished owners and its not a happy mix... My own opinion is that the FZR's dont seem to have taken to the newer fuels all that kindly either. The one I did was completely clogged up in the combustion chambers - quite revolting, maybe they dont burn hot enough to completely combust the fuel?

Valve shimming has to be right, the rings need to be good, decent plugs, carbs synched, coils etc and everything clean.

Turn on the gas, set the choke (or not - varies from bike to bike) and hit the button. If it doesnt fire up immeadiately it wont fire at all (in general) until the cyclinders are clear.

You need to experiment with the choke (off or on) for your bike and make sure the cable is adjusted correctly. Maybe your bike likes a bit of throttle when starting or maybe not. Once you have the magic formula, good to go....

If not - be prepared to spend some wodge....