Fuel Problem . KAW EX250 (2001)

[Al]

Bike was bought new in 2001. Has 3800 miles on (no misprint)

I only put maybe 150 miles/year on in the last few years. I keep the tank filled and give it a good shot of Stabul each year.

This year I had a difficult time starting it. It just wouldn't keep running. Obviously the gasoline over the years (inspite of stabul and ading fresh gas) was not enough to kep the fuel system clean. The gasoline was YELLOW.

Fresh gas put in and carburetor cleaner.I took it for a couple of 5 mile runs. It lacks power. There is a bit of surging. It is obvious to me that one carb has a main "jet" (or passage) plugged.

I put my infared heat detector on the 2 tailpipes after the ride. One reads 165F and the ogher 135F. Air temp is 65F. I am guessing that one cyl is getting not enough fuel or possibly maybe too much (unlikely). When I blip the throttle (idling) the rpms come dowhn SLOWLY. That could indicate too much fuel.

Questions:

1. Am I possiblty doing damage to the cylinder/piston if the one cyl is not getting enough fuel....or too much.

2. Can I add a much larger dose of carb cleaner to the fuel?

3. Short of opening the carbs..is there another approach to the problem,?


I suspect I need to get into the carbs..unfortunately.

Thanks.

 

[skyactiv]

I've owned and resold many motorcycles over the years and have experimented with carb/fuel system cleaners. The carbs need taken off the bike and cleaned. It's not that difficult to pop the fuel bowls off and clean them. The float needle and seat might need replaced. There is a main jet in each carb which might be varnished. If you cant get them spotless without scratching them, they are cheap to replace. Squirt everything with carb cleaner. You shouldn't need to worry about the float level or syncing the carbs unless you are careless. This would be a good time to install a jet kit to make it run better. Some carb bikes are jetted for emissions and run better with one.

 

[simple_gifts]

Welcome back Al!

 

[Al]

Thanks skyactive
Thanks simple_gifts

 

[quarterliter]

Is the 250 stock? Might want to throw in a shim for the needle while you have the carbs off.

 

[quarterliter]

They ran quite lean in the midrange for emissions

 

[Chris142]

pull the carb and poke a wire through the jets

 

[domer10]

Archoil 6200 fuel additive, look it up, turn [censored] fuel back to combustable fuel again.

 

[Al]

I certainly appreciate the fedback.

Status: This morning I added the rest of the 6 oz of Gumout fuel injector/carburetor cleaner. Took it out for a 4 mile ride. I would say its ijmproved dramatically. The throttle now works normally...no coast down of rpms..its very crisp. Temps at the exhaust are now 195F 170F. Almost no surging. So I would say at this point I won't be removing the Carbs.

Not that advice was bad. It was probably the right answer. The key is that I am selling the bike at a very cheap price ($1200). I will of course tell the person buying it what the recent history is and what I have done. I am still not ready to turn it over to him untill I have run through this tank.

Question: I am planning ton putting a similar product in the next tank. What would be the best to use. I am thinking SeaFoam. (never have used it). Any suggestions and suggestions on the concentration.

Thanks very much again.

Al

Quote:
Archoil 6200 fuel additive, look it up, turn [censored] fuel back to combustable fuel again.

Thanks

 

[Robenstein]

Gas stabilizers will only preserve gas for so long usually. At 150 miles a year I imagine you never ran the old gas out of it and just kept topping it off with new fuel.

I am a firm believer in the blue stabil more than the red stuff.

 

[Al]

Thanks Robenstein