GSXR250 fuel problem

**Drum** · 2nd October 2006, 13:19

A question for a friend.

The main tank on her 1988 GSXR250 runs out of fuel at around 90km's, and she has to switch to reserve.

This sounds like way too much fuel consumption to me (its a 15L tank I think).

Anyone heard of this problem before??

**carver** · 2nd October 2006, 13:28

if it has the plate ending in TJD and its blue, i can explain...

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd October 2006, 14:37

We need to know how much fuel the tank holds (not what the specs say). And we need to know how far it goes when on reserve.
If it is using what you suggest, it would run like a sack of shit. Are the plugs black and dripping wet??
I suspect it has capacity issues for some reason, not using too much.

**Drum** · 2nd October 2006, 14:45

She says that it took $20 to fill up once the main tank ran out. That seems to agree with the 15L assumption. She reckons it only runs for approx 10km on reserve, and the plugs are only 3 weeks old (Havnt checked them for blackness or wetness).

I cant believe that it would be that uneconomical.

**Drum** · 2nd October 2006, 14:46

Originally Posted by carver

if it has the plate ending in TJD and its blue, i can explain...

Nope, not that one Carver. Any suggestions anyway?

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd October 2006, 14:54

Originally Posted by Drum

She says that it took $20 to fill up once the main tank ran out. That seems to agree with the 15L assumption. She reckons it only runs for approx 10km on reserve, and the plugs are only 3 weeks old (Havnt checked them for blackness or wetness).

I cant believe that it would be that uneconomical.

Hmmm. Neither can I. Put a new air filter in it. These problems are usually very simple...

**Wasp** · 2nd October 2006, 15:05

Drum. I get 150kms for a tank of gas on my gsf and thats jetted and has the cycleworks exhaust on it....

90km is terrible.... carbs - air/fuel problem?

**carver** · 2nd October 2006, 15:21

my 89 gixer did 11-10km/lt, the owner had big jets installed, but those models never had good carbs you see, suzuki fucked up with the gixer 250.
also because of the carbs the valves carbon up, which makes em loose compression.
at 17 thou RPM my one would shoot flames...me thinks this was from unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

**Drum** · 2nd October 2006, 15:57

Originally Posted by carver

my 89 gixer did 11-10km/lt, the owner had big jets installed, but those models never had good carbs you see, suzuki fucked up with the gixer 250.
also because of the carbs the valves carbon up, which makes em loose compression.
at 17 thou RPM my one would shoot flames...me thinks this was from unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

Thats terrible mileage for a 250!

The carbs on my friends bike were recently balanced (i.e. in the last month), but at 90k's to a tank the fuel must be fair dripping out the back!

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd October 2006, 18:24

Originally Posted by carver

my 89 gixer did 11-10km/lt, ....

Oh dear! My old 1100 gets around 17km/lt on the road - even a trackday only drops it to around 12km/lt

**Wasp** · 2nd October 2006, 23:31

Originally Posted by carver

my 89 gixer did 11-10km/lt, the owner had big jets installed, but those models never had good carbs you see, suzuki fucked up with the gixer 250.
also because of the carbs the valves carbon up, which makes em loose compression.
at 17 thou RPM my one would shoot flames...me thinks this was from unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

BINGO!! exactly what happens with my gsf

(its jetted and has an exhaust)

**Drum** · 3rd October 2006, 06:58

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Hmmm. Neither can I. Put a new air filter in it. These problems are usually very simple...

She had it in the shop last week for this problem and they put a new air filter in. They said the previous one was so old it had disintegrated. The new filter failed to solve the problem.

Is it possible some bits of the old filter have got into the system and could be causing this?

The bike runs fine, smoothly, except it takes quite a while to warm up. It can stall within teh first 5 minutes or so of starting if not given sufficient throttle.

**MSTRS:Me** · 3rd October 2006, 07:42

Sounds like a total strip/rebuild of carbs is imminent....and even that won't help from what others are saying.
Time to flick it & replace?

**Drum** · 3rd October 2006, 08:43

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Sounds like a total strip/rebuild of carbs is imminent....and even that won't help from what others are saying.
Time to flick it & replace?

LOL, shes only had it a month or so.
Shows the consequences of buying a bike off Trademe without going for a ride first. She got it for $1800, and has spent another $800 on it, and still has this issue, and some electrics problem (battery goes flat within a week if using the headlight).

Thanks for your suggestions.