New Ninja not running too good

[Ripperjon]

Hi all,

Need a bit of help if possible.

My new Ninja 250r seems to be running a bit strange when i start her up.

It doesn't sound like it's idling regularly like it used to and the rpms bounce around a bit while she's warming up.

Yesterday, it spluttered and stalled completely when i tried to move off. I'd warmed the engine for a few minutes and had gradually eased off the choke and all was fine until i applied a bit of throttle. Then it died completely.

Twice i tried getting her idling properly but when i moved off it would either stall straight away or the rpms would drop as i gave throttle and there was a big delay in the power kicking in. ( Which can be a bit hair-raising when you're pulling out onto a main road)

I've noticed it happening when i leave work. But unusually, it would start sweet and run fine for a few minutes until i reached the end of a long driveway, where i pull up before joining the highway. Then the idle would be spluttery and the delayed power thing would happen when i try to accelerate up to cruising. (not thrashing it, just normal cruising)

A friend suggested not using the choke, which i have been doing always when the engine is cold but that hasn't solved the problem.

It was mostly fine today (apart from an irregular idle). But the problem seems to be intermittent.

I don't get why it was sweet last week and now it's gone weird.

I've read other threads about dirty carbs but am hoping that it's not that as the bike is a bit over 2 weeks old and the nearest kawasaki garage is in Invercargill.

Could i have done something while riding that could've got a spark plug dirty?

I've checked my airfilter and there was a dirty section about 1" square but it was pristine otherwise. I'm gonna give it a clean anyway.
I did notice that there is a bit of oil in the clear drain plug thing at the bottom of the airbox that the manual says to drain out if present. Only problem is the fucking thing seems to be virtually inacessible. I reckon i could get it off but don't know if i can get it back on, so i've left it alone.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas i'm super-grateful...

[Gubb]

Get it checked out under Warranty.

[TimeOut]

Hi

It could be bad fuel, we got some at a Shell on the west side of Lake Taupo last month.
Try a top up at a different station, are you using the right fuel?

[TimeOut]

Hi again

Have you done the first service yet? If not it won't hurt for it to be done early and they can check it out then.

[Dino]

Hi

If you have no luck yourself changing fuel etc, and the dealership is too far away, you could always give the dealership a call as they may be able to give you some guidance over the phone or have a garage they could recommend in Queenstown.

Hope you work it out.

.

[Ripperjon]

Hmmm, come to think of it, i filled up with 98 last time.
I've put a bit of 98 in before but i think it was just topping up. This time it was a whole tank pretty much.
I'm off to work in 10 minutes and i need to fill her up a bit so i'll put in 95 and try that.
I noticed on another thread it recommends 98 for high compression engines and especially v-twins so thought it might be right for my bike.
Anyway, i'll give it a go and let you know the outcome.
If it works, i'll put a post on the fuel thread too to let people know that 98 might be no good for the 250r.

[vifferman]

98 octane petrol can be a bit harder to start the engine on than lower octane petrol, so it may well be problematic for you when the engine's cold. (I usually run the VFR on 98, but switch to 91 in the winter).

I've checked my airfilter and there was a dirty section about 1" square but it was pristine otherwise. I'm gonna give it a clean anyway.
I did notice that there is a bit of oil in the clear drain plug thing at the bottom of the airbox that the manual says to drain out if present.

That dirty section is from the crankcase breather: oily fumes get sucked into the airbox and burnt. This is quite normal, but if there is lots of oil then you should have it checked out, as this would only happen if the gearbox was overfilled or there is a problem with the engine. In your case, I'd say don't worry about it.

[jim.cox]

A motor needs three things to run: Fuel, Air & Spark

Check the basics first

Sounds like you've done a good job on the air filter

Have you pulled a plug yet? what does it look like? Have you tested for a good "fat" spark?

Fuel is very likely to be the problem - most of the stuff they sell here is pretty crappy and worse when its a bit old. Could water contamination be a possibility? Try draining the tank completely and filling with fresh.

Good luck

[crazybigal]

try and start it without the choke, my wifes zzr250 does the same thing, only need the choke on a cold morning.

[Ripperjon]

Filled her up with 91 today. Had the same problem after work, but the tank wasn't completely dry so not a fair test i suppose.
Went for a good (few) ride(s) and the tank is almost drained.
Will run it right down and refill on 91 or 95.
I also turned up the idle a little bit but won't know if that has helped til the morning.
Weather looks awry tomorrow so will have a look at the spark plugs too.

Thanks for the advice. Will keep you posted.

[jim.cox]

If it IS water contamination, you should be aware that fuel floats on the water.

So anything remaining at the bottom of the tank is the worst stuff. You need to empty the tank completely to get rid of it. Just adding fresh fuel will generally not fix the problem

You can run the tank dry with the petcock on reserve, or just pull the tap off and drain it that way.

A cup of meths in the fuel may help absorb any water if only minor contamination is suspected.

You might want to talk to some of those jump-pilots you hang out with about water and fuel. Its one of the things pilots are very careful about.

PS: don't forget to drain the carb also...

[Ripperjon]

It seemed to be running ok today. Haven't put any more fuel in yet.

Will see how she goes tomorrow and drain the tank if she's not running right again.

If she's all good, it may have just been a case of turning up the idle. Hopefully so.

Didn't think of the fuel contamination. No water has gotten in there from my doing but maybe if the fuel was contaminated at the pump.

P.S. Done a bit of flying myself and drained water out o the wings a few times, so i should've thought of that!

Come to think of it, if i just drain a little the water should show up.

Is it possible to part drain the tank?

[homer]

if your worried about water in the tank at all , put about half a litre meths in the tank and slosh it about a bit , will disperse any moisture

[jim.cox]

if your worried about water in the tank at all , put about half a litre meths in the tank and slosh it about a bit , will disperse any moisture

Be careful with that one - the seals on a lot of the fuel system, petcocks, carbs etc dont like meths - it farks them.

Best done in small amounts

[homer]

Be careful with that one - the seals on a lot of the fuel system, petcocks, carbs etc dont like meths - it farks them.

Best done in small amounts

I will note that
how much do you think about 200ml in a 20 lit tank
would be ok ?