No Start - Compression?

gzed · 03-15-2016, 04:34 PM

Hi All,

My 2006 GZ250 was having some issues starting before I winterized it. This weekend I put a fully charged battery and everything sounds to be in order but the bike does not start, even after some TLC.

The engine turns and turns with no results.

Cleaned the carb
Verified the air filter is clean
Verified the carb is getting gas from the tank
Put in a new spark plug, confirmed it is sparking

Compression is the only thing I can think of, but based on the sound of when it tries to start it has compression, as well as I can feel the pressure coming out of the exhaust.

Is there anything you guys and gals can think of that I should also check? Is there any way to test if the timing is off? Any advice is appreciated, thank you in advance.

smakaho76 · 03-15-2016, 04:50 PM

Yesterday was the 1st time I started her this season.it took 2 batteries,3 recharges,an hour or 2 with the petcock on prime and a bunch of starter fluid lol.i sprayed started,ran,revved,died repeat til it stayed barely running for 10 seconds w hard throttle.had to back off the choke a Lil too.

gzed · 03-15-2016, 09:07 PM

After trying for about an hour, still no luck. The starting fluid did help it make it sound like it is about to fire. I am starting to think bad gas? I used a stabilizer but it did sit for almost 5 months. Though it still smells like gas.

I also hooked up the battery to a car one to have a solid charge. Throttle up and choke engaged, no dice.

Any other guesses?

Vegas Street Rider · 03-16-2016, 11:36 AM

I would drain the fuel tank and start with some fresh gas. It sounds like everything else has been checked by you. You said you were having some issues before you put it away? Can you elaborate.

gzed · 03-16-2016, 03:59 PM

I will change out the fuel and give it another shot.

Prior to the winter the gz250 was rather inconsistent on starting. I would almost always have to use some choke to fire it up, but considered it normal for the type of bike. I always figured the carb needed a cleaning but put it off, though when I pulled it this time it was relatively clean.

It also had a good amount of top end noise on the exhaust valve side even after an adjustment. I was reading around and saw that the TDC can be tricky to get right even if the marker is aligned. Also that he valves are meant to be set in spec on the compression stroke only. Since the bike was running, i did not revisit the above steps, but maybe I should.

It does worry me that the starter fluid did not turn it over once, but will try fresh gas. Or any other suggestions?

gzed · 03-16-2016, 10:12 PM

Compression it is

Spent the money for a compression tester and not getting past 60 psi.

Debating if it is worth it to open the top or sell.

chandlerbingfl · 03-17-2016, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gzed

Compression it is

Spent the money for a compression tester and not getting past 60 psi.

Debating if it is worth it to open the top or sell.

I'm facing the same issue although I can push start my GZ and it'll start up right away. One thing I have noticed is my top end speed is limited, hence my thinking my issue is the gasket (?) between to top and bottom case...

chandlerbingfl

gzed · 03-17-2016, 01:34 PM

thanks chandlerbingfl, did you run a compression test? If so, what PSI did you get? I have not tried to bump start it, but will give it a shot.

The bike had a low top speed but didn't worry much since I only use it in the city, but on a highway test the top speed was around 55-60.

I just wish there was a way to know what component has failed without tearing it apart. Though my guess is the head cylinder gasket, since the last time I rode it was on a very cold day and was terrified to see a few poofs of white-ish gas shooting out of that area, as well as some oil seepage.

I do like the bike, so might take the time to bring it back to life. Any guess on the price of the worst case scenario? I mean at which part is it better to swap the engine? I see them on ebay for 500-800$

Vegas Street Rider · 03-17-2016, 02:58 PM

Sounds like both you(Gzed) and Chandlerbingfl have a tough choice to make. If you can do the work yourselves, you save a bucket of money in labor. That being said, how much money are you willing to invest to bring the bikes back to life vs. their value after the fact. Depends on how much you love your GZ, I guess.

Water Warrior 2 · 03-18-2016, 01:40 AM

Just a thought here for the folks with more knowledge than me. Would a needed valve adjustment be part of the problem?

03-15-2016, 04:34 PM	#1
gzed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 13	No Start - Compression? Hi All, My 2006 GZ250 was having some issues starting before I winterized it. This weekend I put a fully charged battery and everything sounds to be in order but the bike does not start, even after some TLC. The engine turns and turns with no results. Cleaned the carb Verified the air filter is clean Verified the carb is getting gas from the tank Put in a new spark plug, confirmed it is sparking Compression is the only thing I can think of, but based on the sound of when it tries to start it has compression, as well as I can feel the pressure coming out of the exhaust. Is there anything you guys and gals can think of that I should also check? Is there any way to test if the timing is off? Any advice is appreciated, thank you in advance. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-15-2016, 04:50 PM	#2
smakaho76 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: in ur mom. Posts: 12	Yesterday was the 1st time I started her this season.it took 2 batteries,3 recharges,an hour or 2 with the petcock on prime and a bunch of starter fluid lol.i sprayed started,ran,revved,died repeat til it stayed barely running for 10 seconds w hard throttle.had to back off the choke a Lil too. __________________ ...from hell,via Satan's doom pigeon.
	0

03-15-2016, 09:07 PM	#3
gzed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 13	After trying for about an hour, still no luck. The starting fluid did help it make it sound like it is about to fire. I am starting to think bad gas? I used a stabilizer but it did sit for almost 5 months. Though it still smells like gas. I also hooked up the battery to a car one to have a solid charge. Throttle up and choke engaged, no dice. Any other guesses? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-16-2016, 03:59 PM	#5
gzed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 13	I will change out the fuel and give it another shot. Prior to the winter the gz250 was rather inconsistent on starting. I would almost always have to use some choke to fire it up, but considered it normal for the type of bike. I always figured the carb needed a cleaning but put it off, though when I pulled it this time it was relatively clean. It also had a good amount of top end noise on the exhaust valve side even after an adjustment. I was reading around and saw that the TDC can be tricky to get right even if the marker is aligned. Also that he valves are meant to be set in spec on the compression stroke only. Since the bike was running, i did not revisit the above steps, but maybe I should. It does worry me that the starter fluid did not turn it over once, but will try fresh gas. Or any other suggestions? Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by gzed; 03-16-2016 at 04:02 PM.
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03-16-2016, 11:36 AM	#4
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,108	I would drain the fuel tank and start with some fresh gas. It sounds like everything else has been checked by you. You said you were having some issues before you put it away? Can you elaborate.
	0

03-16-2016, 10:12 PM	#6
gzed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 13	Compression it is Spent the money for a compression tester and not getting past 60 psi. Debating if it is worth it to open the top or sell.
	0

03-17-2016, 01:34 PM	#8
gzed Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 13	thanks chandlerbingfl, did you run a compression test? If so, what PSI did you get? I have not tried to bump start it, but will give it a shot. The bike had a low top speed but didn't worry much since I only use it in the city, but on a highway test the top speed was around 55-60. I just wish there was a way to know what component has failed without tearing it apart. Though my guess is the head cylinder gasket, since the last time I rode it was on a very cold day and was terrified to see a few poofs of white-ish gas shooting out of that area, as well as some oil seepage. I do like the bike, so might take the time to bring it back to life. Any guess on the price of the worst case scenario? I mean at which part is it better to swap the engine? I see them on ebay for 500-800$
	0

03-17-2016, 02:58 PM	#9
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,108	Sounds like both you(Gzed) and Chandlerbingfl have a tough choice to make. If you can do the work yourselves, you save a bucket of money in labor. That being said, how much money are you willing to invest to bring the bikes back to life vs. their value after the fact. Depends on how much you love your GZ, I guess.
	0

03-18-2016, 01:40 AM	#10
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Just a thought here for the folks with more knowledge than me. Would a needed valve adjustment be part of the problem?
	0