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ZXR250A not starting

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by edwardo, Aug 12, 2013.

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  1. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Well well well... my good run seems to have come to an end.

    My zxr is not starting.

    This morning I went to warm it up, as soon as I thumbed the ignition, there was a clunk and the bike did not start. It could be described as if someone put a stick through the spokes of a pushbike, that kind of clunk.

    Any ideas or thoughts? Kinda bummed about it.

    I can hear the starter motor kicking in and whining because its not turning over. Funny thing is, when I pull in the clutch lever, the bike won't attempt to start when the ignition is pressed but as soon as I let the clutch out, it tries to start but is instantly "clunked" and does not turn over.

    Could be my failing clutch? I've already noted that the clutch is on the way out, but I'm not sure.

    Opinion away! haha

    Regards, Ed.
     
    edwardo, Aug 12, 2013
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  2. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    *Update*
    Motor is turning over now but not starting. I only tried once and since it wasn't firing up, I didn't wanna keep trying to start it as I just read somewhere it could be a leaky float or something and will fill the cylinder up and lock the motor (this explains my locked motor), possibly bending valves etc.

    taken off the headers again and there were a few drops of fuel in pipe #2

    currently just checking all spark plugs and cleaning etc but I really have no idea about tackling the carb/float issue. Off to the mechanic I think haha
     
    edwardo, Aug 12, 2013
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  3. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Lucky, sounds like you dodged a bullet, I took my old Tyga one for a big run, came home parked it up and the next day I had the same issues just liek you describes and it turned out I bent a valve and damaged the head.

    Kiffsta
     
    kiffsta, Aug 12, 2013
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  4. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Yeah same, just rode it yesterday, parked up. Went to start it this morning and bam- no go.

    I may have a bent valve then. FFS.

    Did you bend the valve trying to start it?
     
    edwardo, Aug 12, 2013
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  5. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Beats me, all I remember was parking it up them bam, it was shagged, sounds like yours is something else as its turning over now
     
    kiffsta, Aug 12, 2013
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  6. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Okay I just tried starting it for about a minute and it finally started.

    Sounded really rough and was very hard to get it running on its own accord.. but after a few minutes of idling it sounded fine..

    I am officially totally confused the f out lol
     
    edwardo, Aug 12, 2013
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  7. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    GreyImport, Aug 12, 2013
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  8. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Where is off on the zxr?
     
    Th3_Huntsman, Aug 12, 2013
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  9. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Dw GI I worked it out :)
     
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    Th3_Huntsman, Aug 12, 2013
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  10. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    No I didn't. I haven't actually ever used the fuel tap before lol let's see how we go tomorrow
     
    edwardo, Aug 12, 2013
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  11. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    GreyImport, Aug 13, 2013
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  12. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Cheers Grey, that's a great link.

    Had hydrolock again trying to start it again just then. Got it started and it was coughing and wheezing sounding very bad and as soon as I eased off the throttle, she died.

    yerp from that link I think it may be a stuck float or float needle.

    But I definitely will start using the petcock ha. Bad habits..

    Definitely going to see the mechanics now lol sad times :(
     
    edwardo, Aug 13, 2013
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  13. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Did u try turning it over with the plugs removed?
     
    GreyImport, Aug 13, 2013
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  14. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    no, but I had the headers off yesterday, and there was fuel in #2 pipe so I assume it was the #2 carb
     
    edwardo, Aug 13, 2013
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  15. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Take all the plugs out ...... put the leads well away from the holes (spark plus stray fuel not a good thing !) then just crank it over a few times ...... and do it outdoors

    And yea sounds like #2 needs some work
     
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    GreyImport, Aug 13, 2013
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  16. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Could well be needle and seat that are the culprits. Should the needle not seat correctly, result is fuel continues to flow .
    Check the tip of the needle for wear, if it looks OK, check the needles rubber tip, if hard as rock, replace. Many a leaky carb is due to this, and of course make certain that everything within is clean, even small amounts of junk can cause problems. Good luck mate :thumb_ups:
     
    Phil, Aug 13, 2013
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  17. edwardo

    edwardo Well-Known Member Contributing Member

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    Cheers for the responses guys, very appreciated.

    I'll post once I get it sorted :)
     
    edwardo, Aug 13, 2013
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  18. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Good stuff :thumb_ups:

    I would be planning on a complete carby workover ...... as u can see by my Fizzer carbs they were a shocker .... o rings crumbling and 1 needle falling out. ...... surprisingly the bike started and ran quite ok , if only for a short distance!
     
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    GreyImport, Aug 13, 2013
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  19. cal

    cal Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    geez guys, is it really common for these bikes to develop fuel/start up problems ? got me all worried!
     
    cal, Aug 17, 2013
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  20. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Any old bike especially these inline 4s will need carby attention at some point ..... alot of that is due to neglect by previous owners or dodgy work at some time .... but you have to remember they arnt just off the dealers floor :D
     
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    GreyImport, Aug 17, 2013
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