Hello Im a new owner of a GZ250 in MD

[menesesjesse]

Hi All
Just registered the bike this week and it seems like a good bike. I bought a 2005 with 80 miles on it at $1250.00 and I thought that was a good price. I plan on giving it to my daughter so we can ride together. I have a Harley but think this bike is very practical. I like the looks and the simplicity of it. I have a little work to do to it since it sat for 5 years with old gas. I hope the forum will help me get the most out of the bike. Thanks
Jesse

[blaine]

Welcome to the forum.You practically got a new bike mileage wise.You will probably need to rebuild the carb.You picked a good relibable bike for your daughter.Good luck.Keep us posted.
:2tup: :rawk:

[menesesjesse]

Thanks I am looking for info on the carb rebuild kit. I cleaned out the lower half of the float assembly/needle/jets but the bike runs a little rough at idle and requires min of 10 minutes of choke. Excessive I would think at 60 F. I have a shop nearby that wants 100.00 to run the carb through the tank and reassemble it. Im on the fence here because I didn't take it completely apart not knowing the parts availability and what can cause the hunting or stalling with out a small amount of choke applied. The bike runs well through the gears but has a little backfire on downshifts. Not sure if this is inherent to the GZ250. Thanks for your time
Jesse

[alantf]

(it) has a little backfire on downshifts. Not sure if this is inherent to the GZ250.

Welcome to the madhouse :)

Never known this problem, & I've had mine over 3 years now. It could possibly point to a weak mixture. You'll find that the carb is the Achilles heel of the gz. Running carb cleaner in the fuel occasionally (frequently?) is a must. :2tup:

[menesesjesse]

This I will do once I get it right. When I took apart the float assembly the old gas was like plaque so I am thinking the carb cleaner is not going to dissolve what on top of the card in a few tanks of gas. Maybe it will but my guess is it may have to come off again. The first time taking that carb out was a pain in the butt. The air box is no fun to remove either.
Jesse

[blaine]

I would take the carb off and take it completely apart and soak it over night.I doubt any parts are worn,with the low mileage.The air box doesn't need to be disturbed to take the carb off, as the boots are flexible.Carb will come out with a little twisting & turning.Should only take around 15 mins.

:) :cool:

[menesesjesse]

Thanks I will try that and will let you know the results. Appreciate the help.
Jesse

[blaine]

Thanks I will try that and will let you know the results. Appreciate the help.
Jesse

Glad I can help.I had my G.Z 31/2 years, and had the carb off numerous times for cleaning & rejetting.

:roll: :)

[Easy Rider]

I would take the carb off and take it completely apart and soak it over night.

Well, we've been over this before.....more than once.

What "you" would do is not necessarily the best advice for other riders with less (or unknown) skill and experience.

I would NOT blindly recommend that but instead suggest a double strength dose of Berryman's B12 Chemtool and a couple of "spirited" rides over a couple of days. If that doesn't help, little has been lost......and it certainly won't hurt anything.

P.S. I hope the old gas in the tank was removed and flushed out.
It would probably be a good idea to add an inline fuel filter after the problem is solved.

[blaine]

I would take the carb off and take it completely apart and soak it over night.

Well, we've been over this before.....more than once.

What "you" would do is not necessarily the best advice for other riders with less (or unknown) skill and experience.

I would NOT blindly recommend that but instead suggest a double strength dose of Berryman's B12 Chemtool and a couple of "spirited" rides over a couple of days. If that doesn't help, little has been lost......and it certainly won't hurt anything.

P.S. I hope the old gas in the tank was removed and flushed out.
It would probably be a good idea to add an inline fuel filter after the problem is solved.


I gave the advice not blindly, but on the basis that he had taken the carb off and reinstalled it,he just didn't completely dissemble & clean it.He might get lucky buy running some cleaner through a couple tanks of fuel.Sometimes when replying I forget that not every one is mechanically inclined,although in this instance I don't think that's the case.

:rawk: :whistle:

[Water Warrior 2]

I agree with Easy. Simple and cheap with nothing to loose if it doesn't cure the situation. I might add that if the tires are 5 years old or more you may want replace them. The rubber does tend to loose it's flexibility and not grip as well. The tires will look really great but I wouldn't want to ride on them. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[Viirin]

It would probably be a good idea to add an inline fuel filter after the problem is solved.

awww thats my line - now i have nothing to contribute except good luck

[alanmcorcoran]

Welcome aboard. I've had several bouts of annoying problems with my carb too (although mine has never sat as long as yours.) Sometimes (most of the time, actually) running a tank or two of gas through it has set it right. Sometimes I've had to have it cleaned (one time it took three trips to the dealer to get it set right.) When you have the tank off, take a look in the innards, make sure the "straw" is in place for the reserve function and no gunk/rust in the screen. This seems to be another area of "issues."

Good luck with your troubleshooting.

[menesesjesse]

All Thanks,
I would consider myself very inclined mechanically. Here is the runthrough of what I did to the bike. I received it knowing the carb needed work so I removed the gas and although there was stabilizer in it I did not trust it. The tank looked great from the inside and the fuel flowed well out of it. I then went on and removed and inspected the airbox which has some oil in it. I cleaned that and then went on and removed the carb for cleaning. I knew there was a float problem because it was overflowing at during the initial start. I opened it up and the gas was like plaque I pulled the jets and cleaned them along with the float circuit. I should have disassembled the whole thing but I am not sure if I will definitely need o-rings and gaskets. Should a new o-ring go in with the pilot. Are they generic o-rings or is this something I can reuse or will I have to wait 1 week for it to come in the mail. I will try the fuel additive but I think this is a long shot due to the time the bike sat inside. The tires seem good with no signs of dry rot. They handled well and were suprisingly smooth with no jumpiness or slickness. I will keep an eye on that before I drop another 300 on a set of tires. The bike also passed the MD state inspection for whatever that is worth. Thanks all.

[blaine]

You should have no problem reusing the o-rings.I changed the jets in mine a few times after changing intake & exhaust,and never had any problems with any o-rings.The only thing I ever needed to buy was bigger main jets.If dissembling the needle jet you need to be careful of the diaphram on top as it is very thin and easy to tear.

:2tup: :rawk:

[alantf]

You mentioned that you found oil in the air box. You'll find a pipe running down from it, under the bike, with a plug & clip at the bottom, Remove the plug & drain the pipe. It's there to collect any gunge. Make sure you put the plug back in when you've finished, as the pipe needs to be airtight. :2tup:

[duosport]

All Thanks,
.... I cleaned that and then went on and removed the carb for cleaning. I knew there was a float problem because it was overflowing at during the initial start. I opened it up and the gas was like plaque I pulled the jets and cleaned them along with the float circuit. I should have disassembled the whole thing but I am not sure if I will definitely need o-rings and gaskets. ....
It sounds like you did a pretty good job and it is probably OK. If it is not OK I would question how you cleaned the jets. When things are clogged up the jets take the worst of it and simply soaking in carb cleaner is often not good enough. I take a thin wire and run it through the jets and remove the deposts. The existing rubber gaskets should be fine if they do not look dented or anything.

Nice job!

[blaine]

All Thanks,
.... I cleaned that and then went on and removed the carb for cleaning. I knew there was a float problem because it was overflowing at during the initial start. I opened it up and the gas was like plaque I pulled the jets and cleaned them along with the float circuit. I should have disassembled the whole thing but I am not sure if I will definitely need o-rings and gaskets. ....
When things are clogged up the jets take the worst of it and simply soaking in carb cleaner is often not good enough. I take a thin wire and run it through the jets and remove the deposts. The existing rubber gaskets should be fine if they do not look dented or anything.

Nice job!
You should NOT run any wires through the jets as you risk damaging them.After soaking they should be cleaned with compressed air or a spray cleaner.Just be careful of your eyes.

:2tup: :rawk:

[duosport]

A thin wire does not damage the jets. Sorry but just soaking and hitting with air is often not removing a deposit. We shall have to agree to disagree.

[blaine]

A thin wire does not damage the jets. Sorry but just soaking and hitting with air is often not removing a deposit. We shall have to agree to disagree.

You can check with any mechanic or check the instructions that comes with any carb kit,or the directions on the cleaner.I have in the past ruined good carbs by doing what you recommend.I learned the hard way not to shove any object through the jets or passages.Just trying to tell you what took me a long time to learn by trial & error.

:) :rawk:

[duosport]

..You can check with any mechanic or check the instructions that comes with any carb kit,or the directions on the cleaner.I have in the past ruined good carbs by doing what you recommend.I learned the hard way not to shove any object through the jets or passages.Just trying to tell you what took me a long time to learn by trial & error.

:) :rawk:
I did not make up using a wire to clean a jet. Mechanics told me to do it. So you ruined a jet did you? Hmm. How did you manage that? Actually you said you ruined many good carbs doing that. How many did you ruin?

[blaine]

..You can check with any mechanic or check the instructions that comes with any carb kit,or the directions on the cleaner.I have in the past ruined good carbs by doing what you recommend.I learned the hard way not to shove any object through the jets or passages.Just trying to tell you what took me a long time to learn by trial & error.

:) :rawk:
I did not make up using a wire to clean a jet. Mechanics told me to do it. So you ruined a jet did you? Hmm. How did you manage that?

Don't know if I damaged the jet or the passage.Any time I used a wire to clean jets or passages the carb was never the same.I quit that practice a long time ago,and have had no further problems.I'm only stating what the proper procedure is,and recommend.To each his own.
:)

[duosport]

Don't know if I damaged the jet or the passage.Any time I used a wire to clean jets or passages the carb was never the same.I quite that practice a long time ago,and have had no further problems.I'm only stating what the proper procedure is,and recommend.To each his own.
:)
So let me get this straight. You have damaged several carburetors and you are not sure how you damaged them.

(note: Nowhere do I say to use a wire on a passage)

[blaine]

That may have been my problem,using a wire on the passages.Nowhere did I say I ruined several carburetors.At any rate as you said "agree to disagree."

:rawk:

[duosport]

That may have been my problem,using a wire on the passages.Nowhere did I say I ruined several carburetors.At any rate as you said "agree to disagree."

:rawk:
So after these carbs were ruined you thought it might be the jets ruined. Why did you not buy new jets then? They are cheap enough. Did you then go and buy new carburetors to replace these ruined carburetors or did you simply accept the carbs were ruined and then got rid of the bikes?

[blaine]

That may have been my problem,using a wire on the passages.Nowhere did I say I ruined several carburetors.At any rate as you said "agree to disagree."

:rawk:
So after these carbs were ruined you thought it might be the jets ruined. Why did you not buy new jets then? They are cheap enough. Did you then go and buy new carburetors to replace these ruined carburetors or did you simply accept the carbs were ruined and then got rid of the bikes?
As I stated above the carbs were not ruined,nor did I say they came off a bike.This was long time ago,and carbs that came off different vehicles,mostly Quadrajet Chev's.

[duosport]

So after these carbs were ruined you thought it might be the jets ruined. Why did you not buy new jets then? They are cheap enough. Did you then go and buy new carburetors to replace these ruined carburetors or did you simply accept the carbs were ruined?

[blaine]

So after these carbs were ruined you thought it might be the jets ruined. Why did you not buy new jets then? They are cheap enough. Did you then go and buy new carburetors to replace these ruined carburetors or did you simply accept the carbs were ruined?

To answer your question,yes the jets were replaced on different carbs with good results.
:cool:

[Easy Rider]

I pulled the jets and cleaned them along with the float circuit.

I will try the fuel additive but I think this is a long shot due to the time the bike sat inside.

Sounds like you are pretty much on top of it; I'm not sure that any additional tear down would really accumplish anything useful. On many models, the low speed, idle jet is not removable (don't remember about the GZ) and has the smallest passages that plug the easiest.

Did you remove the plug on the idle mix. screw and remove it and clean out that "hole" good too ?? On most, that's about as close to the idle jet as you can get........and then allows you to richen up the idle just a tad when you're done.

Have we mentioned that the GZ doesn't run worth a crap without the stock air filter in place......and the air box all sealed up, including the cap on the end of the drain tube ??

[duosport]

So after these carbs were ruined you thought it might be the jets ruined. Why did you not buy new jets then? They are cheap enough. Did you then go and buy new carburetors to replace these ruined carburetors or did you simply accept the carbs were ruined?

To answer your question,yes the jets were replaced on different carbs with good results.
:cool:
You have contradicted yourself. You said before the carburetors were ruined.

[blaine]

As I stated above the carbs were not ruined,nor did I say they came off a bike.This was long time ago,and carbs that came off different vehicles,mostly Quadrajet Chev's.
Enough said!

[duosport]

As I stated above the carbs were not ruined...


You posted this before about your carburetors:

"I have in the past ruined good carbs by doing what you recommend..."

[Viirin]

Stop trying to pick a fight with Blaine - he's not that kind of member

[Water Warrior 2]

Duosport.............give it up. You have strayed away from the topic at hand and seem to to itching for a scrap. Take a break will ya.

[menesesjesse]

Wow things can get hot quick here. Well I went down to the local parts store and purchased some carb cleaner that is used for rebuilding. I soaked all the parts for 30 minutes and commenced to reassembling the carb. Everything went together smooth and I verified my float settings. The carb is pretty straight forward I just wished the Japanese would use better quality bolts and screws. The metal is soft and easily strips. After getting everything together I installed the carb without removing the airbox (thanks to the forum). The bike started pretty easy and ran very good. No popping and the idle was much smoother. I took the bike on a 100 mile ride this weekend and it ran perfectly until I forgot to turn it off for 3 hours. Looks like the battery needs a recharge now. The bike is good Thanks for the help.
Jesse

[blaine]

I just wished the Japanese would use better quality bolts and screws. The metal is soft and easily strips.
Jesse

There is a special driver for japanese screws.It is called a "POZIDRIV" it is more blunt on the tip.If you don't have one, you can make do by grinding the tip on a standard phillips.Pozidriv screws usually have 4 extra lines on the screw head.
:roll: :)

[Easy Rider]

Looks like the battery needs a recharge now.

Recharge is as SOON as you can. Sitting in a discharged state ages them rapidly.
I had to replace mine after one deep discharge......but it was about 3 years old at the time and I don't know what the PO did with it in the winter.

Glad to hear that your manual cleaning was successful. It's MUCH easier on a bike with only ONE carb to do !!!

Using a shot of carb cleaner about twice a year should prevent having to do the manual process again.