wont start

[william42]

got a zxr400 it has been stood a while drained tank cleaned plugs put new petrol in carbs are getting fuel when i press starter button fuel pumps out checked carbs there is fuel in carbs plugs are getting spark but bike still wont fire up there is one thing i did notice rubber stubs around carbs are very loose would this have anything to do with it not starting any help very gratefull

[RedexRobB]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Those stubs should have clamps around them, otherwise they could be leaking an awful lot of air in. That could be one of your issues,

Others might be gummed up jets if the bike has been stood for a number of years, or the battery may need a nice slow charge.

Have you got good sparks at the plugs?

[william42]

hi yes i have spark at the plugs there is clamps around the rubbers from carbs i have secured them i put some carb cleaner in the carbs through the fuel line i drained carbs first said i would leave it a day or two to let the carb cleaner work i am jump starting from a car battery i will let you know how i get on

[william42]

hi had trouble starting bike heated the plugs and it fired up but when i stoped it it would not start again took out plugs again heated them again and it fired up again then again same story can anybody tell me is it fuel or plugs or and idea what it might be any help very gratefull as i need this bike to get to work

[CaNsA]

Thread merged as there is no need for a new one.

[RedexRobB]

Have you flushed out the carb cleaner? And are you trying to jump off the battery?

How do the plugs look when you take them out?

[william42]

Hi i flushed out carb cleaner i am jump starting from car battery the plugs look okay maybe a bit wet

[RedexRobB]

Have you set the gaps correctly for the plugs? I would expect them to be a bit wet especially after repeatedly trying to start it, fuel is clearly getting through. Seems to run ok once going. Are you trying it with choke? I usually try and start with half choke, if it doesnt grummble then full choke. Only other thing it might be is the plugs, could try a new set?

[william42]

I Have not set plug gaps will do today or might get new set when i try to start i put it on full choke i wll keep trying until i get it wont be able to get plugs until tuseday as everthing over here shuts down for easter weekend i will let you know how i get on anyway

[william42]

hi put new plugs in bike today flushed out carbs bike started no problem run great i am going to tidy it up some now new brake pads new battery new tyres have her on the road for summer again thanks for all the help every one

[Tirpitz]

Nice one and good man for coming back to let us know what the problem turned out to be and saying thanks.

For future ref, sparks at the plugs isn't really a good indicator of their condition, only that the ignition circuit is working. What will spark ok in the dry at atmospheric pressure often won't spark in a high pressure environment in a cylinder damp with fuel vapour.