1998 KX 250 starting problem

iracekx · 01-10-2007

I will start off here I had my frame powder coated in Nov of 06 and while that was getting done I did a top end on the bike. I cleaned the power valves and everything real good. I put the bike together filled it with gas and it almost started on the first kick the second kick it started. I did the procedure to seat the rings and everything. A couple of days later I went to the track and the bike ran awesome as usual. After about the third ride, I was getting tired of blowout by the head getting on my new powder coated frame.
I called Pro Circuit and ask them if 40:1 would be ok on my bike to help keep so much oil from blowing out. I have a Pro Circuit pipe and silencer on there now. They said that would be fine there should be no problems.
I then started mixing gas at 40:1 ,I am still using Kawasaki 2stroke premix oil. That is when I noticed the bike getting harder to start, only when it had not been started since the last time I rode. I ride every Wednesday and Sunday so the bike does not sit very long. Once the bike has been started it will start with the first kick everytime when you go to get on the track again.

I figured the 40:1 was screwing everything up so I emptied the bike of all the gas on a Friday cleaned the carb all out checked the reeds on my Vforce they were fine good and tight and no cracks or splits. I filled bike with 32:1 and the bike started on second kick this was in my garage. I would say the temp was around 65 degrees that day. I shut the bike off turned the gas off as I always do after I am done riding.
I loaded up the next morning and headed to the track. When I got there I had to kick and kick till I was wore out. I pulled the plug and it was wet I cleaned the plug off put it back in and after a few kicks it started. It never had an issue starting for the rest of the day. Next Wednesday back to the same issue trouble starting at the beggining of the day after that it starts like it was brand new.
A friend of mine gave me an iriduim plug to try and see what that would do for me the next time I rode (note outside temps were between 50-65 degrees). A few days later I got to the track and the bike seemed to start a little bit easier with that plug I went out and rode 2 sessions went to go out third time bike sat a little longer than normal due to major injury on track. When I started it the bike after a few seconds started to bog I tried to rev it but it died. I pulled the plug it was wet, I cleaned it put it back in and started it this time it started on third kick but bogged out and died a little faster this time. I then tried a b8es that my friend recommended it started right up I rode for a few more hours with no problems whatsoever.
This Sunday I get to the track about 50-55 outside and I kick and kick and kick pull the plug and it is wet. Cleaned it did the same thing again. This time I am going to try plug one more time this time I get a wire brush clean it then spray it off put it back in the bike and it starts on the third or fourth kick I can't remember which one. No more issues for the rest of the day after that it starts on the first kick.
I bought this bike brand new in 98 and I have Pro Circuit pipe (platinum series)and silencer on their. I called Pro Circuit and they told me for living in Texas all I needed to do it move the clip up one on the neddle. In the past I never remember having trouble starting the bike I can not recall if I rode much in the cold winter in the past though. I went a few years not riding much but I have been really dedicated to getting into shape and being a better rider so I have been riding twice a week weather permitting.
This is driving me crazy I have ask my buddy that wrenchs at Kawasaki and he is kind of stumped. Why could my bike start so easy after the first start up run so good but have this much trouble starting at the first of the day. I always keep the filter cleaned oil changed and the bike clean I am meticulous about these things. I read on the boards about someone pulling there plug out between rides I read also about letting the bike run till it is completely out of gas, but others said they have never had to do this to their 2-stroke.
I thought that it might be the coil my mechanic buddy said that they will not act like what I am describing to him. I am planning on riding Wednesday it is suppose to be around 65 so I can see if being warmer if it will start easier. I am also going to pull plug and look at it before I even turn the bike over to see what plug looks like. If you need any more info let me know. I will update this after I ride tomorrow and let you know how the bike did and what the plug looked like. One other thing my buddy told me it could be a slight possiblilty that transporting the bike could be doing something to the plug rare but a possibility. The jets are stock in my carb I can't remember what they are off hand but it should say somewhere online. Thank you for all your help sorry for this being to long just wanted to give a good description so it would help in troubleshooting the problem.

dmstarr · 01-10-2007

Checked your stator? I have a 97, and a small crack in my ignition cover gasket resulted in corrosion on the flywheel. I buffed it off and it starts MUCH better now.

griffbones · 01-10-2007

A few of things come to mind and they are all basics, but I always start with the basics first, so here goes.
1. Is the air filer clean and not over oiled? I think you said you covered this one already.
2. Make sure the carb is clean and the float properly adjusted to specs.
3. Run a compression test - this only takes about 4-5 minutes and it will tell you a lot about the condition of the top end. Low compression will make a bike very hard to start.
4. Check the reeds for cracks or chips and make sure they set flat in the reed cage. Bad reeds will make a bike very hard to start and will also mimick rich jetting.
5. Another thing to check would be the choke or fuel enrichner, this would be used when the bike is first started up when cold, so it could be an issue too.
Give these items a try and see what you come up with.

iracekx · 01-10-2007

What I did today was adjust the throttle cable I think that it could have been too tight. It was about 60-63 degrees today I got on the bike and turned the choke gave it no gas and it started on the third kick. After that riding today it started on first kick. I will see what it does next week when I crank it up I hope that the throttle being a little too tight was my problem that would be great. I have another question in my 1998 would jet would you recommend to put in so I could run super unleaded instead of race gas to keep it from detonating. The price of race gas is killing me and I know that my buddys new KX runs off super unleaded with no problems. Thanks for all the help I will update again after I ride maybe this weekend pending if we get ice or not.

griffbones · 01-10-2007

At a given temperature the race gas should tend to make the bike run richer than what it would run on pump gas. So if you are good on the main jet now you may have to go up one size for the pump gas. Just try it first and do a wide open throttle chop then look at the plug. Of course this requires having the bike warmed up good, then install a new plug, then do the throttle chop and check the plug. I doubt that you will have to mess with the pilot jet or needle, at least not for the pump fuel, but if it keeps getting colder outside that will have a tendency to lean the bike some too and this could effect the jetting.

crash_override · 05-05-2009

there's 3 things a bike needs to run. 1. fuel. 2. compression. 3. ignition, anyone disagree? so find spark, give it a way to breathe in the fuel charge then bang it out, right? get a multimeter and a manual.

nd4speed · 05-06-2009

Blowing the dust off an old post?

paul331 · 05-06-2009

sounds like a jetting problem
why are you running race gas?? , pump gas hi octain will work fine.
and believe it or not 40-1 is a richer gas mix than 32-1 .
MORE PARTS GAS IN 40-1
The oil lubes the gas burns is a simple way to put it .
32-1 or 40-1 should be fine , your jetting is not correct .

01-10-2007	#1 (permalink)
iracekx Real Men Ride Rockets BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 195	1998 KX 250 starting problem I will start off here I had my frame powder coated in Nov of 06 and while that was getting done I did a top end on the bike. I cleaned the power valves and everything real good. I put the bike together filled it with gas and it almost started on the first kick the second kick it started. I did the procedure to seat the rings and everything. A couple of days later I went to the track and the bike ran awesome as usual. After about the third ride, I was getting tired of blowout by the head getting on my new powder coated frame. I called Pro Circuit and ask them if 40:1 would be ok on my bike to help keep so much oil from blowing out. I have a Pro Circuit pipe and silencer on there now. They said that would be fine there should be no problems. I then started mixing gas at 40:1 ,I am still using Kawasaki 2stroke premix oil. That is when I noticed the bike getting harder to start, only when it had not been started since the last time I rode. I ride every Wednesday and Sunday so the bike does not sit very long. Once the bike has been started it will start with the first kick everytime when you go to get on the track again. I figured the 40:1 was screwing everything up so I emptied the bike of all the gas on a Friday cleaned the carb all out checked the reeds on my Vforce they were fine good and tight and no cracks or splits. I filled bike with 32:1 and the bike started on second kick this was in my garage. I would say the temp was around 65 degrees that day. I shut the bike off turned the gas off as I always do after I am done riding. I loaded up the next morning and headed to the track. When I got there I had to kick and kick till I was wore out. I pulled the plug and it was wet I cleaned the plug off put it back in and after a few kicks it started. It never had an issue starting for the rest of the day. Next Wednesday back to the same issue trouble starting at the beggining of the day after that it starts like it was brand new. A friend of mine gave me an iriduim plug to try and see what that would do for me the next time I rode (note outside temps were between 50-65 degrees). A few days later I got to the track and the bike seemed to start a little bit easier with that plug I went out and rode 2 sessions went to go out third time bike sat a little longer than normal due to major injury on track. When I started it the bike after a few seconds started to bog I tried to rev it but it died. I pulled the plug it was wet, I cleaned it put it back in and started it this time it started on third kick but bogged out and died a little faster this time. I then tried a b8es that my friend recommended it started right up I rode for a few more hours with no problems whatsoever. This Sunday I get to the track about 50-55 outside and I kick and kick and kick pull the plug and it is wet. Cleaned it did the same thing again. This time I am going to try plug one more time this time I get a wire brush clean it then spray it off put it back in the bike and it starts on the third or fourth kick I can't remember which one. No more issues for the rest of the day after that it starts on the first kick. I bought this bike brand new in 98 and I have Pro Circuit pipe (platinum series)and silencer on their. I called Pro Circuit and they told me for living in Texas all I needed to do it move the clip up one on the neddle. In the past I never remember having trouble starting the bike I can not recall if I rode much in the cold winter in the past though. I went a few years not riding much but I have been really dedicated to getting into shape and being a better rider so I have been riding twice a week weather permitting. This is driving me crazy I have ask my buddy that wrenchs at Kawasaki and he is kind of stumped. Why could my bike start so easy after the first start up run so good but have this much trouble starting at the first of the day. I always keep the filter cleaned oil changed and the bike clean I am meticulous about these things. I read on the boards about someone pulling there plug out between rides I read also about letting the bike run till it is completely out of gas, but others said they have never had to do this to their 2-stroke. I thought that it might be the coil my mechanic buddy said that they will not act like what I am describing to him. I am planning on riding Wednesday it is suppose to be around 65 so I can see if being warmer if it will start easier. I am also going to pull plug and look at it before I even turn the bike over to see what plug looks like. If you need any more info let me know. I will update this after I ride tomorrow and let you know how the bike did and what the plug looked like. One other thing my buddy told me it could be a slight possiblilty that transporting the bike could be doing something to the plug rare but a possibility. The jets are stock in my carb I can't remember what they are off hand but it should say somewhere online. Thank you for all your help sorry for this being to long just wanted to give a good description so it would help in troubleshooting the problem. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Life begins @ 150.....on a 2005 Blue R1!!!!!! Last edited by iracekx : 01-10-2007 at 01:11 AM.

01-10-2007	#3 (permalink)
griffbones Another old dirt bike guy BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 565	A few of things come to mind and they are all basics, but I always start with the basics first, so here goes. 1. Is the air filer clean and not over oiled? I think you said you covered this one already. 2. Make sure the carb is clean and the float properly adjusted to specs. 3. Run a compression test - this only takes about 4-5 minutes and it will tell you a lot about the condition of the top end. Low compression will make a bike very hard to start. 4. Check the reeds for cracks or chips and make sure they set flat in the reed cage. Bad reeds will make a bike very hard to start and will also mimick rich jetting. 5. Another thing to check would be the choke or fuel enrichner, this would be used when the bike is first started up when cold, so it could be an issue too. Give these items a try and see what you come up with. __________________ '05 KX85 w/103cc engine '97 DR407 '83 CR60 '05 TTR230 '07 250XCW Last edited by griffbones : 01-10-2007 at 11:38 AM.

01-10-2007	#4 (permalink)
iracekx Real Men Ride Rockets BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 195	What I did today was adjust the throttle cable I think that it could have been too tight. It was about 60-63 degrees today I got on the bike and turned the choke gave it no gas and it started on the third kick. After that riding today it started on first kick. I will see what it does next week when I crank it up I hope that the throttle being a little too tight was my problem that would be great. I have another question in my 1998 would jet would you recommend to put in so I could run super unleaded instead of race gas to keep it from detonating. The price of race gas is killing me and I know that my buddys new KX runs off super unleaded with no problems. Thanks for all the help I will update again after I ride maybe this weekend pending if we get ice or not. __________________ Life begins @ 150.....on a 2005 Blue R1!!!!!!

01-10-2007	#5 (permalink)
griffbones Another old dirt bike guy BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 565	At a given temperature the race gas should tend to make the bike run richer than what it would run on pump gas. So if you are good on the main jet now you may have to go up one size for the pump gas. Just try it first and do a wide open throttle chop then look at the plug. Of course this requires having the bike warmed up good, then install a new plug, then do the throttle chop and check the plug. I doubt that you will have to mess with the pilot jet or needle, at least not for the pump fuel, but if it keeps getting colder outside that will have a tendency to lean the bike some too and this could effect the jetting. __________________ '05 KX85 w/103cc engine '97 DR407 '83 CR60 '05 TTR230 '07 250XCW

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01-10-2007	#2 (permalink)
dmstarr Tree Magnet BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 390	Checked your stator? I have a 97, and a small crack in my ignition cover gasket resulted in corrosion on the flywheel. I buffed it off and it starts MUCH better now.

05-05-2009	#6 (permalink)
crash_override Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: phx 602 Posts: 58	there's 3 things a bike needs to run. 1. fuel. 2. compression. 3. ignition, anyone disagree? so find spark, give it a way to breathe in the fuel charge then bang it out, right? get a multimeter and a manual.

05-06-2009	#7 (permalink)
nd4speed Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MI Posts: 564	Blowing the dust off an old post?

05-06-2009	#8 (permalink)
paul331 MX. Dad and Racer. BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sarnia Ontario Canada Posts: 207	sounds like a jetting problem why are you running race gas?? , pump gas hi octain will work fine. and believe it or not 40-1 is a richer gas mix than 32-1 . MORE PARTS GAS IN 40-1 The oil lubes the gas burns is a simple way to put it . 32-1 or 40-1 should be fine , your jetting is not correct .

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