OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Mick D on February 17, 2010, 03:49:53 am

Title: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on February 17, 2010, 03:49:53 am
I have been working on this bike.
It goes like stink!
Starts all day long, no worries.
We bring it home.
Lay it up, for a week.
And it just won’t start.
Wet plug?
We put a fresh plug in it, and away it goes, all day long again ?
Why does it need a new plug after a week lay up?
I know there is a lot of clever people on this forum, and I am stumped, I hate to say it? but as Ned would say, this is becoming a real noodle scracher?
Grateful for any suggestions, or help.   
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: bazza on February 17, 2010, 05:39:43 pm
Could be shit fuel alot of the blended fuel only last a month. Are you using NGK? not champion!!!
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: southnztim on February 20, 2010, 06:31:30 am
What fuel and oil are you using? I had the same problem. The oil was separating from the the fuel after a period of time, so when you tried starting after a spell, it instantly oiled the plug. I changed the oil I use and that solved the problem.
Cheers, Tim.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: shorelinemc on February 20, 2010, 10:28:05 am
when you go to srart the bike after it has sat for a week ,drain the float bowl before starting.CD250 hondas leave a couple weeks wont atart ,drain carb starts straight away dont know why have had a few of them thru the shop all have done the same thing cb250  same thing
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: monaro308 on February 20, 2010, 11:39:00 am
Just a silly thought,before your next ride pull your plug out and check your plug for any water/moisture ie a leaking head gasket ...you never know.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: LWC82PE on February 20, 2010, 12:26:39 pm
the reason this happens is because of the high volatiles that go off/stale quickly in premium unleaded. Thats all it is. Either drain the carb at end of ride or before you start the next ride a week or so later. Its just a side effect of the higher octance premuim unleaded thats all.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Lozza on February 20, 2010, 12:40:04 pm
if the dead plug is grounded out of the cylinder does it make spark?Do the old plugs show any tracking between centre and ground electrodes?
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on February 21, 2010, 01:48:49 pm
Lots of great ideas and advise there, thanks everybody. I will have a closer look and get back during the week. Thanks, Mick.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: EML on February 23, 2010, 06:21:55 pm
Mick-De, I spoke to Caltex help line last week re the same trouble we have with the Wasp. They told me that their fuel-Vortex- doesn't ''go off'' and will store for ever-in steel tanks!! when he asked about the tank and I told hin it was FRP he said the fuel will leech polymers from the tank walls and that these will not burn well. Best to drain the tank after use-that is if it is plastic.
The thing is that once the shit gets onto the plug, it wont come off like carbon, no matter what you do you have to chuck it away and we have thrown plenty out in the last year or so.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on May 28, 2010, 07:37:59 pm
Thanks, I didn’t realise so many had answered thankyou. I will read them now.
BUT FIRST;
Have carby here right now. We have stripped it and found that some one put blue Silastic on float bowl joint, which had then blocked the pilot jet. All cleaned up now, But we have no manual. Keihin Carby.

NEED HELP WITH FLOAT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT SETTING;
   

 
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: dalesween on May 28, 2010, 07:51:41 pm
Is it a leaking fuel tap? A leaking tap can fill the cases with premix over the layoff and next time you try and start the bike get a wet plug in no time.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on May 28, 2010, 07:58:48 pm
Thanks Dale, he says it was very smokey last time he started it. so we will look in to that. Cheers.

But the main thing now is how to set the float level. 
Title: CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on May 29, 2010, 02:58:26 pm
Mick-De, I spoke to Caltex help line last week re the same trouble we have with the Wasp. They told me that their fuel-Vortex- doesn't ''go off'' and will store for ever-in steel tanks!! when he asked about the tank and I told hin it was FRP he said the fuel will leech polymers from the tank walls and that these will not burn well. Best to drain the tank after use-that is if it is plastic.
The thing is that once the shit gets onto the plug, it wont come off like carbon, no matter what you do you have to chuck it away and we have thrown plenty out in the last year or so.

I THINK THERE IS A HELL OF A LOT TO BE LEARNT FROM EMLs POST, AND NOT ONLY FOR ME.

I never queried the old plastic tank with modern fuel phenomenon, until now, that with the help of EMLs post, the penny has dropped.

I know that if modern 98 RON fuels are left in a vented tanks they will gas of their potency quickly.
I know that if they are sealed in full steel jerry cans they keep very well.
I always run my bikes out and drain tanks immediately, then rid my self quickly of the left overs through the "Guzzlerdore".
I always start my bikes next time with fresh fuel, and I don't have problems with my bikes or plugs(the problematic CR250 belongs to someone else).

But, the penny has dropped. It is highly likely that this thing about leeching polymers out of plastic tanks explains the ongoing problem I am having with my Yamaha two stroke outboard chewing plugs.

I once ran 2/S outboards, with METAL tanks. I put phenominal hours on them without ever chewing plugs.

But, my current 2/S Yamaha outboard. Plastics tanks. I use after market plastic reserve tanks and plastic jerry cans for additional camping fuel. I am lucky to get a few hours of combined use, before I become frustrated with unhappy idling again. I replace plugs, all is well again, but not for long.

The Yammie outboard is a great product, But this plug chewing thing has been irritating me for ages. I am now going to rid myself of all the plastic. Then see if a new set of plugs will have a lasting harmonic idle.

Thanks EML, I will let you know what happens.
And thanks to everyone else, for all the good ideas and advise.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: TT5 Matt on May 30, 2010, 12:19:22 am
good read about plastic tanks and polymers so does the leeching weaken/effect the tank ???
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: oldskool on May 30, 2010, 08:53:29 am
thanx eml my cr 125 was doing the same thing.when i first bought it it ran fine for a couple of weeks on ethanol blend then changed to bp98 ran great all day take home put in shed week later bit hard to start ride for 10 mins plug would foul put in new plug go hard all day till next ride a week later same thing the only thing i changed was the fuel,and after reading this i think i now know what the problem is.its an 87 cr so has plastic tank and my fuel drum is also plastic.thanx gary
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: EML on May 31, 2010, 04:52:28 pm
OK have helped you lot out , now find out where the spark is going on the XS880 with Boyer ignition and I wont send you all a bill.....
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: pancho on May 31, 2010, 05:31:59 pm
Shooting down the modern fuel being the cause ,I had the first model 250 xl [best commuter bike i ever rode] but it was the same trick. It would start every morning at 6 am 1st kick, but on change of shift after one week I had to bump start it the first day. Next time yours won't start just pull out the plug, look at it ,put it back in and my one always started. very mysterious cheers wally.
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on May 31, 2010, 05:34:46 pm
OK have helped you lot out , now find out where the spark is going on the XS880 with Boyer ignition and I wont send you all a bill.....
Well that would be good thanks EML, cause I don’t need no more bills, But mind you I could pay you in plastic fuel tanks and jerry cans ;D
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on May 31, 2010, 05:47:26 pm
Shooting down the modern fuel being the cause ,I had the first model 250 xl [best commuter bike i ever rode] but it was the same trick. It would start every morning at 6 am 1st kick, but on change of shift after one week I had to bump start it the first day. Next time yours won't start just pull out the plug, look at it ,put it back in and my one always started. very mysterious cheers wally.

Just talked to young bloke, with CR250 Wally. That’s exactly what’s happening to the CR250 now. He looks at the plug, puts it back in, and it starts again, but then dies after a while, and has a wet plug, when he removes it. I think we may have a coil, CDI, igniter, stator, kill button, earth or fractured wire problem/irregularity. when he brings it over we might stumble on it straight away with any luck. I wish I had a manual or some other known good parts to try. He said while it is running its heaps better after the carby service. Don’t figure does it ??? what some people do to bikes, Silastic on a float bowl joint ???   
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: back wheel bandit on May 31, 2010, 07:24:10 pm

on the subject of this cr dying could it be getting flooded by to much fuel for the spark ???
badly worn reed valves maybe ???  just a thought
Title: Re: HONDA 1989 CR250 CHEWING PLUGS
Post by: Mick D on September 21, 2010, 07:50:51 am
We finally got this thing sorted. It ran all weekend till 3pm Sunday arvo when he did this.
(http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/mc125mick/FORUM043.jpg?t=1285016385)
 Looking for any spare rear wheels out there.

Incidentally, I ran a earth wire from the left hand ignition case(stator) to the coil and CDI control box earth. The real health came when I piggy backed the earth connection on to one of the cylinder head nuts.