Why won't my 250 Bandit start?

**Paul in NZ** · 3rd December 2011, 08:59

Originally Posted by 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...

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** · 3rd December 2011, 09:02

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 3rd December 2011, 13:22

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

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** · 3rd December 2011, 15:07

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** · 3rd December 2011, 15:13

Originally Posted by 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??

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...

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** · 3rd December 2011, 17:40

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

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** · 3rd December 2011, 19:01

Originally Posted by turner

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** · 3rd December 2011, 20:44

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** · 3rd December 2011, 21:07

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** · 3rd December 2011, 23:14

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

Originally Posted by 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

**Ultrasonic2** · 4th December 2011, 18:18

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** · 5th December 2011, 18:57

Originally Posted by 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

the CDI unit cost $200 from ebay inc delivery.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 5th December 2011, 20:42

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** · 7th December 2011, 19:47

Originally Posted by 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? .

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?