Starting Problems

jljowers · 10-16-2008, 09:52 PM

I am the proud owner of a 2002 GZ250 w/ 7500 miles. Recently, my bike has had problems starting. I turn the key, the engine attempts to start, but does not fire. I checked the oil and it was virtually empty. I have not noticed a leak at all. In fact, the bike is parked in the same place at home and at work. I have not noticed any type of leakage in my garage. Needless to say, I did an oil change and replaced the filter. Still nothing. I have not changed the spark plug yet, but I will tomorrow. Any thoughts on what I should do next? I ride this bike everyday; 30 miles round-trip Monday-Saturday. I have noticed a "gas" smell since the bike has not cranked. I simply do not know what to do next. Any suggestions that you guys could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

patrick_777 · 10-16-2008, 11:03 PM

A few little things:
How are you going about checking the oil?
Have you checked to see what your fuel petcock is set to?
Have you checked the tightness of fuel and vacuum lines?
Do you have an inline fuel filter?

**jonathan180iq** · 10-17-2008, 01:59 AM

IS the starter turning over but the bike just won't start? If that's the case, and given your smelling of gas, I'd say you're flooded.

Hold the starter down for a good 15-20 seconds. Turn the key off. Get off the bike. Do 5 jumping jacks and then try to start it again.

Also, take out your air filter and give it a good shaking off.

That'll probably do it.

jljowers · 10-17-2008, 07:22 AM

Thanks guys. I'll give it a try and repost.

jljowers · 10-18-2008, 04:55 PM

I took the air filter out and blew it off. It was practically clean. I changed the spark plug. I made sure that my battery was fully charged. And still, I press the ignition and the engine just turns over. Any thoughts? THanks for being patient with newbies.

Badbob · 10-20-2008, 06:10 AM

Do you have a spark? No spark, no start.

If the starter is spinning all of the interlock switches are working.

mr. softie · 10-21-2008, 01:30 AM

Really check that the vacuum hose to the petcock is connected at both ends and is in good shape as Patrick_77 said. I had to cut a bit off both ends of mine to get a tight fit. No fuel will pass if not enough/no vacuum is present at petcock. The fuel line can also be bad-swollen shut inside. If you have spark and fuel it should start.

Easy Rider · 10-21-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. softie

No fuel will pass if not enough/no vacuum is present at petcock.

Unless it is set to PRIme, which defeats the vacuum shut-off feature.

mr. softie · 10-22-2008, 11:16 PM

Easy, you are absolutely correct sir! :plus1:

10-16-2008, 09:52 PM	#1
jljowers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Valdosta, Georgia Posts: 22	Starting Problems I am the proud owner of a 2002 GZ250 w/ 7500 miles. Recently, my bike has had problems starting. I turn the key, the engine attempts to start, but does not fire. I checked the oil and it was virtually empty. I have not noticed a leak at all. In fact, the bike is parked in the same place at home and at work. I have not noticed any type of leakage in my garage. Needless to say, I did an oil change and replaced the filter. Still nothing. I have not changed the spark plug yet, but I will tomorrow. Any thoughts on what I should do next? I ride this bike everyday; 30 miles round-trip Monday-Saturday. I have noticed a "gas" smell since the bike has not cranked. I simply do not know what to do next. Any suggestions that you guys could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-16-2008, 11:03 PM	#2
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	Re: Starting Problems A few little things: How are you going about checking the oil? Have you checked to see what your fuel petcock is set to? Have you checked the tightness of fuel and vacuum lines? Do you have an inline fuel filter? __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan.
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10-17-2008, 01:59 AM	#3
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Starting Problems IS the starter turning over but the bike just won't start? If that's the case, and given your smelling of gas, I'd say you're flooded. Hold the starter down for a good 15-20 seconds. Turn the key off. Get off the bike. Do 5 jumping jacks and then try to start it again. Also, take out your air filter and give it a good shaking off. That'll probably do it. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-17-2008, 07:22 AM	#4
jljowers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Valdosta, Georgia Posts: 22	Re: Starting Problems Thanks guys. I'll give it a try and repost.
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10-18-2008, 04:55 PM	#5
jljowers Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Valdosta, Georgia Posts: 22	Re: Starting Problems I took the air filter out and blew it off. It was practically clean. I changed the spark plug. I made sure that my battery was fully charged. And still, I press the ignition and the engine just turns over. Any thoughts? THanks for being patient with newbies. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-20-2008, 06:10 AM	#6
Badbob Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 945	Re: Starting Problems Do you have a spark? No spark, no start. If the starter is spinning all of the interlock switches are working. __________________ My GZ250 Blog Facebook Pinterest Google+ Tumblr YouTube Lumber Jocks
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10-21-2008, 01:30 AM	#7
mr. softie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bucks Co. PA Posts: 361	Re: Starting Problems Really check that the vacuum hose to the petcock is connected at both ends and is in good shape as Patrick_77 said. I had to cut a bit off both ends of mine to get a tight fit. No fuel will pass if not enough/no vacuum is present at petcock. The fuel line can also be bad-swollen shut inside. If you have spark and fuel it should start. __________________ The real money in a gold rush is in supplying liqueur and women to the miners.... May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road!
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10-22-2008, 11:16 PM	#9
mr. softie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bucks Co. PA Posts: 361	Re: Starting Problems Easy, you are absolutely correct sir! :plus1: __________________ The real money in a gold rush is in supplying liqueur and women to the miners.... May the wind always be at your back and the sun overhead as you make your way down the ever winding, smoothly paved, traffic free road!
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