Won't start, AGAIN

[racer]

Well, it's done it again. After sitting for 11 weeks, the bike won't start. I returned from Daytona after a 2500 mile trip where it ran and started flawlessly. It started in the Indiana winter fine. I go to the garage yesterday, do the key on key off routine to prime the fuel rail, hit the start button, no go. LOTS of battery and it turns over really well. Try a few more times. Nothing. Try the WFO option, nothing.

I no longer just fire it up and shut it down without a full warm up.

I didn't run the battery all the way down, but I can't smell any gas, so I know it is a fuel problem. Do these things air lock on the fuel rail or fuel pump?

The KLR is my daily rider, so I don't ride the FJR unless I'm taking a trip.

So short term, what do I do to get it started, long term, what can I do to prevent this in the future. I love the bike, but it drives my nuts when there is a problem.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

To prevent the problem just ride it one a week or even once a month. If you get the same unwanted results then change what you are doing.

 

[racer]

To prevent the problem just ride it one a week or even once a month. If you get the same unwanted results then change what you are doing.

I'm thinking of changing what I'm doing and it starts with ST. :angry:

 

[ionbeam]

I know you have been through this before. Jestal wrote you a book, Rad says you let your motorcycle sit too long and now it's getting even. The following is a review of the basics.

Fuel

Air

Spark

Compression

Timing

Voltage at the coil must be >9 volts during cranking

Cranking speed should be 40 rpm or faster

There is the prospect that water has settled to the bottom of your gas tank over the 11 weeks it sat.

One or more of these items are insufficient or excessive.

ECU trouble code(s) set?

• Air filter clean?
• Plugs new or in good shape?
• After a no-start pull a plug or two -- wet or dry?
• Test a plug from each coil to verify a bright blue spark
• Since you are now 'under the hood' you might as well do a compression test. Be sure the battery is fully charged before you do the compression test.
• If the plugs were wet, dry them and try again.
• One list member had a no start caused by carbon holding a valve slightly open, a compression check found it

 

[Geezer]

(snip)Do these things air lock on the fuel rail or fuel pump?

(snip)

Since the Gen 1 FJRs have a fuel return line, I doubt it will air lock once you cycle the key a couple of times. Also, unless you got a lot of water settled in the tank, I would expect it to get stirred up enough to get some actual fuel into the injectors.

I wonder if maybe you have a weak fuel pump. Or maybe there is some spooge blocking the fuel filter. The fuel filter is just a fabric piece on the fuel pump assembly. You might have to remove the pump from the tank to inspect and clean it.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Whats the fuel gauge read? I had a problem like this last year, bike on side stand no bars on fuel indicator, yet upright showed 1 bar. Darn thing just cranked and cranked.

Dumped a couple of gallons down her and viola! she fired right up.

:jester:

 

[racer]

Whats the fuel gauge read? I had a problem like this last year, bike on side stand no bars on fuel indicator, yet upright showed 1 bar. Darn thing just cranked and cranked. Dumped a couple of gallons down her and viola! she fired right up.

:jester:

Full tank, I always leave it with a full tank.

 

[racer]

For Sale: 2004 FJR about 20k miles, has passenger back rest, usual saddle bag scratches, Windshield return and throttle spring disengaged. Fuel tank insulation added and Cromit heat deflector has fixed the heat problem. New Michelin Pilot Road on back, all services done.

 

[Randy]

For Sale: 2004 FJR about 20k miles, has passenger back rest, usual saddle bag scratches, Windshield return and throttle spring disengaged. Fuel tank insulation added and Cromit heat deflector has fixed the heat problem. New Michelin Pilot Road on back, all services done.

Did you use a fuel stabilizer?

Has it been run since you did the fuel tank insulation? (perhaps something got unplugged when you insulated)

Have you checked all of the fuses including the fuel injection fuse?

 

[racer]

For Sale: 2004 FJR about 20k miles, has passenger back rest, usual saddle bag scratches, Windshield return and throttle spring disengaged. Fuel tank insulation added and Cromit heat deflector has fixed the heat problem. New Michelin Pilot Road on back, all services done.

Did you use a fuel stabilizer?

Has it been run since you did the fuel tank insulation? (perhaps something got unplugged when you insulated)

Have you checked all of the fuses including the fuel injection fuse?

Thanks for all the help, but, as I said, the bike ran flawlessly when parked mid March. It's just an FJR problem, period. Other FI engines don't have this problem and there is absolutely no reason for a modern engine to act like this unless there is a problem inherent with the design. I am convinced Yamaha has not done it's homework with this bike. Search other forums.....there aren't starting problems with other bikes.

There's no reason to have to put up with this BS. Not in my garage.....It's gone.

 

[Randy]

For Sale: 2004 FJR about 20k miles, has passenger back rest, usual saddle bag scratches, Windshield return and throttle spring disengaged. Fuel tank insulation added and Cromit heat deflector has fixed the heat problem. New Michelin Pilot Road on back, all services done.

Did you use a fuel stabilizer?

Has it been run since you did the fuel tank insulation? (perhaps something got unplugged when you insulated)

Have you checked all of the fuses including the fuel injection fuse?

Thanks for all the help, but, as I said, the bike ran flawlessly when parked mid March. It's just an FJR problem, period. Other FI engines don't have this problem and there is absolutely no reason for a modern engine to act like this unless there is a problem inherent with the design. I am convinced Yamaha has not done it's homework with this bike. Search other forums.....there aren't starting problems with other bikes.

There's no reason to have to put up with this BS. Not in my garage.....It's gone.

Sorry to hear you're having problems. I don't remember hearing about a lot of problems with the '04s - I certainly haven't had any starting problems on mine. That said, I can see why you would be frustrated and can't say that I wouldn't be thinking the same thing if I were in your shoes. Did you get the extended warranty?

Don't think that all bikes are perfect.

Read this review on an '04 ST

https://www.epinions.com/content_285059747460

 

[snikr]

I can't believe it. Somebody DOESN'T like a Honda? What's up with that? Maybe Honda doesn't build SUPER machines. Much like Toyota maybe.

Tom

 

[Geezer]

[Thanks for all the help, but, as I said, the bike ran flawlessly when parked mid March. It's just an FJR problem, period. Other FI engines don't have this problem and there is absolutely no reason for a modern engine to act like this unless there is a problem inherent with the design. I am convinced Yamaha has not done it's homework with this bike. Search other forums.....there aren't starting problems with other bikes.
There's no reason to have to put up with this BS. Not in my garage.....It's gone.

Sorry that you are having so much trouble with your bike. It is certainly your decision how much trouble you will tolerate before selling the bike and trying something else. However, I disagree with your assessment that it is an FJR problem. It is a problem with your particular FJR, and could just as easily happen with any other brand or model. Mine starts up every spring after sitting for four or five months, no fuel stablizer or other special treatment.

 

[snikr]

I usually put in some Sta-Bil when my FJR is going to sit for a while (usually a 1/2 dose) and have NEVER had any problems that were fuel related. Battery problems are another story. I have heard of some FJR's who's batteries were not up to snuff turning over but not starting. Run it more often. I'm sure if ANYTHING sat for a long time it might have a problem starting.

Tom

 

[buckford]

+1 on sta-bil. I have it in almost every tank. Bike sits 5+ months in winter..fires right up and runs great on sta-bil treated tank.

 

[Mogambo]

However, I disagree with your assessment that it is an FJR problem. It is a problem with your particular FJR, and could just as easily happen with any other brand or model. Mine starts up every spring after sitting for four or five months, no fuel stablizer or other special treatment.

+1

However I am a proponent of using either Sta-bil or Seafoam if the bike is to sit for periods of time. I have had two FJR's (04,06) and (knock on wood) never had a starting problem even after sitting for up to 5 months.

 

[mdisher]

What did you do to get it started last time?

I'm thinking about all the stuff ion posted, and there is something wrong somewhere that you need to find.

Or, I'll trade ya straight up for my 98-ZX11, currently leaking fuel between two of the 4 carbs, more than likely just a 10 cent o-ring, but sure is gonna be a pain in the ***. At least with the ZX you'd know exactly what's wrong.

-MD

 

[cota95]

I usually put in some Sta-Bil when my FJR is going to sit for a while (usually a 1/2 dose) and have NEVER had any problems that were fuel related. Battery problems are another story. I have heard of some FJR's who's batteries were not up to snuff turning over but not starting. Run it more often. I'm sure if ANYTHING sat for a long time it might have a problem starting.
Tom

+1 on the battery. The only time I've had a problem starting was my '04 when the battery was getting ready to give up the ghost...

 

[racer157]

Have you had your coils tested? Do you maintain the battery on a tender? What is the compression on this bike cold? What type of plugs are you running? Have you tried parking with premium? I have fixed problem bikes in my past 35 years as a mechanic. Has this bike ever been down?