Engine cuts out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **ZXR King** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:28 pm

Hi,
I had a bit of a problem when riding up the A1 when my engine felt like it was losing power, then went on for a while whilst slowing down, then cut out! I couldn't start it for another 10 minutes or so. It was turning over fine, just not firing. Then once I got it started it went fine for about half a mile and then it felt sluggish. I stopped off at my girlfriends house and listened to the engine and it sounded a bit lumpy and when I revved it it revved slowly like something was holding it back!

The next morning it wouldn't start. On my first attempt it fired then cut out after a few seconds, then no luck after that. I called out my breakdown recovery service and he just switched the tank from main to reserve a few times and gave it some choke and it started fine. The engine was responsive and seemed ok. Then on my way back it felt like it was lacking power, and cut out again! Great fun! I did the trick with switching from main to reserve a few times and after a while it started. The power still feels a bit down and I dont want to ride it because I dont want to break down everywhere!!!! Can anyone help with this???

Just for reference its restricted to 33 bhp, has a scorpion exhaust with the baffle out, and cut out a few weeks before in a heavy storm! I was told that this happened due to the bike getting damp but surely it shouldn't break down every time it rains!!! I dont know if these things will contribute?

Thanks very much

James

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:31 pm

it could be getting damp and shorting somewhere but does it do it in the dry as well?

Post by **ZXR King** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:30 pm

It was dry when it cut out last time. It was during the day and only a bit cold. The night before was a little damp though? Any ideas?

Post by **gingernm** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:55 pm

Sounds like a fuel line problem (switching between normal/reserve)

Could be some crap in the system.

I'm no expert but your syptoms sound like fuel starvation. Check the fuel lines for corrosion (air getting in / fuel getting out is not good). Check the carb as well (leaks and balance of the floats).

Have you tried running with the choke open, this will increase the fuel to air mixture, if this helps again would highlight a fuel prob.

Also try adjusting the mixture settings with the screwwy adjusture (black tap, right hand side, hangs out the fairing next to frame above engine oil sight glass)

Hope this helps,

Rob.

Post by **cargo** » Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:45 pm

Sounds to me like the little filter inside the tank might be blocked turning it on to reserve means that a different filter is used.

Empty your tank take it off the bike turn it upside down..........two screws hold the fuel tap in place undo them and remove the tap from the tank the two filters are on the end of the pipes.
You should also check the main fuel filter as well

I would not start adjusting carb settings utill the easy things are elimated first

Post by **zimm** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:23 pm

sounds like fuel starvation, check that the breather that runs inside the tank from the fuel filler to the rubber pipe at the back isnt blocked, if it is this will cause a vacuum in the tank starving it of fuel

SplaTZXR400 · Post by **SplaTZXR400** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:32 pm

hello, hope uv sorted it now, but thought id tell ya but i had that happen to my bike once, done it 7 ties then eventually it wouldn't start attal. turned out to be the head gasket, was apparently lettin coolant into the enige, hance splutterign n cutting out, then it wouls short n die. was fine adter it was fixed.