GZ250 barley running

[ardy3491]

Alright so i was riding home from school in the rain a couple days ago and my bike just turned off. When i pulled over in a neighborhood i tried starting it back up but their was no power. I tried jump starting the battery but that didn't work. So finally after about an hour in the rain i was able to get it started by pushing it. Although i got it started its barley moving now. i cant go over about 5 MPH and it sounds like the the motor is struggling a lot. Does anyone know what might be the problem??

[Water Warrior 2]

1st question. Have you ridden in the rain before with no problems? 2nd question. How long have you had the bike?

[ardy3491]

Yea i have ridden in the rain before. I've had the bike for about 5 months

[alantf]

Did you ride through any deep puddles that could have sent water cascading over the plug or electrics/electronics?

[jonathan180iq]

First thought is a loose connection somewhere or some fraying wiring that got moisturized.

Get it all good and dry and report back here.

On a whim, pull the drain plug for the air box and see if you sucked up some water.

[ardy3491]

Ok I've let it sit for a few days and still no power. I got the battery tested and its fine. I'm able to push start it but once i get it to run the lights start flickering and the motor is struggling. if it's running do the wires have anything to do with the performance of the motor. That's probably a dumb question.is there a way to test the wires?

[PimpS]

MAybe a stupid observation i had this friday. My bike started to stall at some moments, and loose a lot of power when i was going uphill (usually 80 km/h, then merely 60, with some stalling in between)...

I thought i ran out of gas... Coming home, just got new air filter, put the old one out and saw a lot of oil on the back or let me say 'inside end' of the filter, the bottom black plastic.... After 30 seconds of changing the filters, i check the drain hose, and thought to myself, what the heck, i should do it once..., i look at the manual and it says every maintenance interval... Geeez... Put the drain plug out and i was shocked: there was a lot of oil on the garage floor in next 10 seconds.
Make it short: the bike now goes without any stalling or loosing power.
Ardy, propably my experience won't help, but don't give up... I'm sure the guys will let you through.
How about bad spark plug or debris in the fuel hose..?

[PimpS]

Not debris, stuck fuel hose, sorry ma english is way to ambitious and less understandable... ;)

[5th_bike]

My first thought when i read this yesterday was, maybe some water got in the carb via the air hose between the filter and the carb, there could be a leak that lets in air, and water when it rains. Please check for snug fit and tighten if needed.
Another thought, water around the "kill switch" or ignition switch, in the handlebars. Or, water around the ignition coil, under the tank. Although I wouldn't know how it could cause the effects you describe - like a badly clogged carb...

Is there a way to test wires, yes, you need a multimeter. However there are a lot of wires and each has its function...
Download the manual, and look at the wiring diagram. Skip the wires to the lights and concentrate on those that have to do with ignition.

[ardy3491]

ok everyone i guess leaving it sitting for a few days might have helped. I replaced the fuse closest to the battery and got it to start, i let it run for a while and everything is fine.

[PimpS]

Well done! I hope that was the case!

[alantf]

Download the manual, and look at the wiring diagram.

Trouble is......there's no complete wiring diagram. Plenty for the separate circuits for the different engine functions, but not a one that shows the complete harness. :cry:

[ardy3491]

The only thing I'm confused about is if that fuse had anything to do with the engine running so weak

[alantf]

The only thing I'm confused about is if that fuse had anything to do with the engine running so weak

Doubt it. A fuse is just "ok" or "open circuit". That means that a circuit is 100% or it's totally kaput. Plus, the fuses are just on things like engine starting, lights, & safety circuits. Can't think of any fuse that could open circuit anything to give your symptoms. :??:

[ardy3491]

Well i guess changing out the fuse was just a temporary fix. the fuse blew out again and every time i change it out, it blows out... any ideas???

[Water Warrior 2]

Time to give the wiring a good visual inspection for a wire that is worn through from rubbing, broken or burnt. Check all the connections to see that they are secure and tight. That includes the battery posts too. The headlight housing is a favorite place for wiring to vibrate and wear through. You may want to pay attention to the steering head where the wiring is subject to bending and twisting when the bars are turned. Pull the tank off and check the wiring for pinced sections that might be caused by the tank resting on them. It will take time but there is no real choice. Ground wires as well as power(positive)wires.

[5th_bike]

Pull the tank off and check the wiring....
Right on, the one time my fuses kept blowing it was under the tank, where a wire touched the head. The plastic insulation was melted resulting in regular short circuits....

[jonathan180iq]

You have a short.

Poor-man's check:
1. Remove one of the battery leads.
2. Without a key in the ignition, reconnect it.

If there is a spark or arching, you have an issue somewhere.

These kinds of things can be covered up and are never noticeable sometimes are cars. But bikes are much more picky.

Removing the tank to check that part of the harness takes all of 2 minutes.
The other common places where these fray are in the headlight housing and down the sides. Pull the side covers to check there and the headlight is pretty simple too.

[ardy3491]

Ok im planning on removing the tank tomorrow... this is my first bike and this is the first time i take a gas tank off a bike. Should i empty the tank out before removing it??

[Water Warrior 2]

Ok im planning on removing the tank tomorrow... this is my first bike and this is the first time i take a gas tank off a bike. Should i empty the tank out before removing it??
No need to remove the fuel from the tank.
Remove the 2 lines from the back of the fuel switch on the tank. Be sure it is in the "RUN" position. A few dribbles of gas may be present but that is normal. Remove the bolt/bolts that hold down the rear of the tank. Gently lift the rear of the tank 2 to 4 inches and pull back towards the rear of the bike. While doing so you will have to wiggle the tank side to side a couple inches. One hand at the rear and one hand supporting the front of the tank. The tank will comes loose from it's small rubber saddles/cups as it slides back. It is simple and easy. Just take your time first time round and you will wonder why you ever worried about it.
Check out how the rubber saddles/cups and tank fit together. You will probably see indications where the tank rests on the frame when bolted down. Upon reassembly be sure no wiring or cables of any sort are pinched or crushed when the tank is snugged down.
If you have problems give us a shout.

[jonathan180iq]

AND, don't forget to remove the two vacuum lines that attach to the carb. Give a little attention to their orientation, because they have to be put back in the same way.

Chances are, they're alreadt bent formed into a shape that makes it logical to figure out even if you don't pay attention.
Again, not brain surgery. You're simply pulling two hoses off and then putting then back on when you re-install the tank.

[Rookie Rider]

You guys are great !!

[Way]

You might also want to wear a glove on the hand that takes off the fuel hose. There will be a dribble of gas that comes out. Just make sure the petcock is in either run or reserve. Do NOT have it in the PRIME position or the gas will just pour out non-stop.

Being captain obvious here, remove the seat to get at the two bolts holding the tank on. Make sure your handlebars are straight so you can slide the tank off easily without catching on the handlebars/cables.

Be sure your kickstand is setting on something firm, you don't want the bike to move while you're taking the tank off.

[Water Warrior 2]

Be sure your kickstand is setting on something firm, you don't want the bike to move while you're taking the tank off.
A poor man's park brake. Just wrap a strip of Velcro around the front brake lever to lock the front wheel and leave the tranny in 1st gear.

[alantf]

Just wrap a strip of Velcro around the front brake lever to lock the front wheel

Living in the mountains, as I do, I have a piece of velcro permanently wrapped round the mirror stalk. I use it when I have to park on a hill, so the bike won't roll away. I found out the hard way, shortly after getting the bike, that leaving it in gear won't stop it rolling off the stand.

[mrlmd1]

And to hijack this thread a little, just to offer some good advice - if you park on a hill, park the bike front wheel up, because if it does roll facing downhill, there's a god chance the sidestand will fold up and the bike goes over.
Now back to the topic at hand.

[alantf]

if you park on a hill, park the bike front wheel up

Unless it's a one way road, going down (with the parallel road going up) because it's so narrow, like a lot of ours are........ :whistle:

[OldNTired]

if you park on a hill, park the bike front wheel up

Unless it's a one way road, going down (with the parallel road going up) because it's so narrow, like a lot of ours are........ :whistle:

Out of curiosity, do you folks in Spain drive on the left ot on the right side of the road?
I usually try for the middle myself! :)

[alantf]

Usually in the middle because of the crumbling shoulders :roll: then, when meeting traffic, a quick swerve to the right, then back to the centre. :lol:

[mrlmd1]

If you have to face downhill when parking, then put the front wheel into the curb or chock the wheel so it can't roll, or set the front brake with a velcro or some other kind of strap.

[alantf]

set the front brake with a velcro or some other kind of strap.

That's what I said....... :)