[hockeybronx]

Hey guys, this is my first post on this board. I did quite a bit of searching before asking this question...

I bought an 02 ZX9r with 11,000 miles. Low mileage so I can assume it's done a lot of sitting. When I bought it from the previous owner, it ALWAYS started great - I was surprised how well it started! I didn't ride it yesterday, and today... wont start!

- Bike turns and exhaust backfires (EXTREME) but wont run
- Fuses in the main fuse box are all in tact
- The day before yesterday I did pour in some Lucas Fuel Treatment

Can you give me a checklist of things to try? I know along the list will be carb clean, fuel filter, spark plugs etc... but what is easiest to troubleshoot first?

Thanks!

 

[Drlowz]

I would try new plugs.

 

[hockeybronx]

I would try new plugs.

Thanks from researching forums, I'm going to try in order:
1. Disconnect all electrical around batter, re-connect ensuring all good
2. Drain all fuel from bowls (not sure how yet), fuel lines, fuel tank and refill

Can I assume as it wont push start either that the problems is not electrical?

Anybody have a quick tutorial for completely draining fuel from a bike?

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

If it's backfiring, I'd assume two things. There's a lot of gasoline being passed and it's getting spark.

It probably doesn't require major surgery to clear. Again, assuming it's flooded, turn the choke/enricher off, set the throttle to WOT and crank. If it doesn't fire in about 20 seconds of continuous cranking, experiment with various enricher/throttle settings. If it doesn't fire, remove the tank & airbox, spray a shot of carb cleaner into each carb velocity stack and try again. Depending on if that makes it better, keep doing it. If it makes it worse or there's no difference, you may have measured in too much gasoline conditioner and you'll have to clear the tank and carbs or dilute it with more gasoline.

For reference, I don't use gasoline conditioners/stabilizers and I don't experience starting problems on either bike, ever.

 

[hockeybronx]

If it's backfiring, I'd assume two things. There's a lot of gasoline being passed and it's getting spark.

It probably doesn't require major surgery to clear. Again, assuming it's flooded, turn the choke/enricher off, set the throttle to WOT and crank. If it doesn't fire in about 20 seconds of continuous cranking, experiment with various enricher/throttle settings. If it doesn't fire, remove the tank & airbox, spray a shot of carb cleaner into each carb velocity stack and try again. Depending on if that makes it better, keep doing it. If it makes it worse or there's no difference, you may have measured in too much gasoline conditioner and you'll have to clear the tank and carbs or dilute it with more gasoline.

For reference, I don't use gasoline conditioners/stabilizers and I don't experience starting problems on either bike, ever.

Thanks a lot brother! It was backfiring then making a noise almost like a stomach growling!!!

Tomorrow I'll try the above and let you know, but yeah I definitely poured in a crapload of the Lucas Treatment, man I'm begging this'll be resolved tomorrow!

 

[hockeybronx]

Alright guys, so after turning off the fuel peacock last night, today I woke up and:

1. Drained out the bowls
2. Drained the fuel tank
3. Verified the fuel pump is firing
4. Disconnected battery, and checked all connections/fuses around battery.
5. Refilled my tank at a place I know has good gas

I had only a little battery left after last night, but it wouldn't start today, I'm assuming after draining the bowls it takes some cranking to get the fuel going again? I'll have to charge my battery, try again then move on to the next idea.

Anyways, here's a photo of the fuel that drained from the bowls. Does it look okay? I thought there would be more first, and it looks clean to me except for a little sediment in the bottom????

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

Where's the photo. My eyes can only detect visible spectrum.

BTW, it's okay to jump the bike from a car battery, so long as the car is not running at the time.

 

[hockeybronx]

Hey guys, update here.

So I got my battery charged up and tried again... nothing. The exhaust puffs out a little smoke, and the occasional flame, but it wont turn over. What could this mean?

I'm currently uploading a Youtube video of it trying to start for reference.

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

Flooded. Turn the fuel tap to OFF, choke/enricher OFF and crack the throttle to WOT/100%. Try starting using short crank bursts of not more than 10 seconds. Let it sit for a minute and attempt again. If possible, center the bike instead of parking it on its side stand.

It'll eventually fire.

 

[hockeybronx]

Flooded. Turn the fuel tap to OFF, choke/enricher OFF and crack the throttle to WOT/100%. Try starting using short crank bursts of not more than 10 seconds. Let it sit for a minute and attempt again. If possible, center the bike instead of parking it on its side stand.

It'll eventually fire.

Thanks bro - really appreciate it. Here's the video of me trying, still recommend me turning fuel off opening throttle and trying again?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeAsdDQP69k&feature=youtu.be

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

Didn't see you playing with throttle position. Turn your idle CCW back down to 1,000 RPM or whatever will result in closed throttle.

I lke how you're experimenting with the enricher, however, there's only two positions that may work for you 0% or 100%, depending. Play with throttle and enricher in tandem, rolling the throttle to negative 10% with 100% enricher, then try 100% throttle with 0% enricher.

Did you ever try shooting carb cleaner into the velocity stacks before starting?

And did you do any modifications to the bike prior to the problem starting? Didn't realize your 9R was a street fighter.

 

[hockeybronx]

Didn't see you playing with throttle position. Turn your idle CCW back down to 1,000 RPM or whatever will result in closed throttle.

I lke how you're experimenting with the enricher, however, there's only two positions that may work for you 0% or 100%, depending. Play with throttle and enricher in tandem, rolling the throttle to negative 10% with 100% enricher, then try 100% throttle with 0% enricher.

Did you ever try shooting carb cleaner into the velocity stacks before starting?

And did you do any modifications to the bike prior to the problem starting? Didn't realize your 9R was a street fighter.

Haha it's not a street fighter I'm currently painting all my panels! Not sure on some of your terms: enricher? Is that the choke? CCW is the idle toggle down low on the left side??? So you're saying close that completely to the right?

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

Yes, enricher is the choke, except there's no choke, there's just the enricher. :lol

I saw in your video you turned the idle speed up a couple cranks clock-wise. Take those turns out. It'll have no affect on flooding, but it will have an affect if the engine isn't getting fuel.

1) Did you try starting it by shooting car cleaner down the carb's velocity stacks?

2) What does the exhaust smell like?

 

[hockeybronx]

Yes, enricher is the choke, except there's no choke, there's just the enricher. :lol

I saw in your video you turned the idle speed up a couple cranks clock-wise. Take those turns out. It'll have no affect on flooding, but it will have an affect if the engine isn't getting fuel.

1) Did you try starting it by shooting car cleaner down the carb's velocity stacks?

2) What does the exhaust smell like?

I think I remember it being counter clockwise makes it faster, clockwise slower??? So you're saying crank it completely to the slowest setting? I'll need to check which way that is.

Exhaust smells only like fuel.

As far as "shooting carb cleaner down the velocity stack" - does that mean just spraying carb cleaner down the 4 ~3" holes that originate in the airbox and go into the engine??? Then do I put everything back together before starting it or start it right there? Sorry super NEWB question!

 

[e1_ZX-9r]

Yes, whichever way normally lowers RPM.

I think we can safely say it's flooded then. Shooting carb cleaner into the velocity stacks, open to the outside world probably won't help. We need to get fuel somehow reduced in the equation, so no more choke, and only crank with WOT or anything above closed.

However, the next time you have a chance, you should pull the spark plugs and check their condition. If they're wet with fuel, let them sit out to dry before attempting another restart session.

And to reiterate, are you certain that nothing was done recently that may be causing the hard starting? Anything plugged, adjusted, moved or removed? The reason I'm asking is because I don't think I've heard of anyone experiencing what you have been with your 9.

 

[Drlowz]

These carb bikes are very picky. I would try pulling the plugs and letting it air dry for a while. Put a battery charger on the battery and let it get 100percent.

Get NEW plugs, dont try to clean or burn the old ones... Get new.

Then put together and see what happens.

 

[hockeybronx]

And to reiterate, are you certain that nothing was done recently that may be causing the hard starting? Anything plugged, adjusted, moved or removed? The reason I'm asking is because I don't think I've heard of anyone experiencing what you have been with your 9.

The things I did between when the bike started incredibly well, and when I left it to sit for a day and now it wont start are:

1. Went into the fuse box and saw the fan fuse was blown and replaced it
2. (Stupidly) cut the wire to the horn, was going to use it for the fan, but I've since reconnected it (only by twisting the wires, haven't soldered or taped yet)
3. Took off the radiator, drained it, this was to get the fan off the bike so I could test if it works. I reinstalled the radiator/hoses, filled it up at the plastic reservoir - so possibly the radiator doesn't have any coolant in it yet? Fan is still unplugged from it's plug.

These carb bikes are very picky. I would try pulling the plugs and letting it air dry for a while. Put a battery charger on the battery and let it get 100percent.

Get NEW plugs, dont try to clean or burn the old ones... Get new.

Then put together and see what happens.

I'll see how to guys comment about the work I've listed above, then that will be my plan for the day. Thanks guys!

 

[christikitty]

OK first off filling the overflow coolant tank isnt going to fill the radiator. You need to take off the radiator cap located on the right side of the bike up high.
Second your bike is doing exactly what mine was doing when my pilot jets were clogged and I had to get her to run off the main jets. Dumping fuel. Either take the plugs out and let them dry, replace them, or open that throttle wide open till she fires and revs a little. Double check your ignition fuse.

 

[hockeybronx]

OK first off filling the overflow coolant tank isnt going to fill the radiator. You need to take off the radiator cap located on the right side of the bike up high.
Second your bike is doing exactly what mine was doing when my pilot jets were clogged and I had to get her to run off the main jets. Dumping fuel. Either take the plugs out and let them dry, replace them, or open that throttle wide open till she fires and revs a little. Double check your ignition fuse.

Thanks bud will try that now and let you know!

 

[christikitty]

kk
oh and im actually 1 of 3 females on here that i know of