93 FZR600 wont start

2oldbikes · 03-22-2005, 09:37 AM

Bought a bike ('93 FZR 600 - US model) needing a battery. After installing the new battery, it fired right up and ran great. Topped off the tank and drove it for an hour or so and parked it. The next day it got snowed on. The following day it will not start at all. It is getting fuel and trying to fire up, it just won't catch and run. Also it backfired something fierce, only once and VERY loudly. Figuring maybe something got wet, I let it sit a few days to dry out and still nothing.

I was told maybe water seeped in around the plugs as the plug boots can shrink with age? Doesn't sound real likely to me. Also told that the gas source sometimes gives problems to bikes, although its 94 octane. Cars ok, but bikes have issues with it. Again, doesn't sound likely to me. thridly, my brother tells me FZR's have issues with coil packs and the wires getting corroded somewhere? I don't know, this is my first Yamaha. No owners manual, and since i am currently living in Japan, no way to just ask a local shop guy (I don't speak Japanese). I'd like to try to fix myself before just handing them the bike and paying an outrageous bill.

I'd appreciate any suggestions and insight on this machine.

fzr1rider · 03-22-2005, 10:13 AM

You need new spark plugs or to let the engine dry if it is flooded

enos · 03-22-2005, 03:49 PM

Doesn't the tank and fairings protect the plugs/boots/wires from the snow? Especially when parked? Besides, it's real simple to check for spark (bright white/blue is ok, red is not)...

Make sure the backfire didn't unseat the air filter or make a hole in it. If it did, it will be extra lean now and may not catch.

If your tank lid isn't in the greatest of shape, you may have gotten water in the tank. Try lifting it up, disconnect the fuel hose, and use the 'prime' setting on the petcock to drain a little bit of gas into a bottle. Remember that water is heavier than gas, so if you have some it should be on the bottom. If what comes out doesn't look like pure gas, dump the tank out and drain the carbs (with the drain screw on the bottom of each fuel bowl). Then put in fresh gas and some fuel system cleaner.

The type of gas shouldn't be a problem. Mine recommends 91, but it will run on 87 (it'll just ping at full throttle). 94 should be plenty. Remember that racers run on stuff in the 100s. It ran fine on it before, too. If it is a gas problem, then it's because it has water in it, or a super amount of dirt that clogged up the jets.

PS. Try jumping it with a non-running car. Sometimes the extra juice will help it out. And charge that battery. If you drain it too much, you'll shorten its life.

ChloroFiend · 03-22-2005, 04:24 PM

My FZR only needs 87 octane to run, FYI.

As far as not starting...yeah, pull the plugs and see how they look...they might need replacing. I wouldn't worry about your air filter being damaged, since its pretty far inside the airbox. There's also no "prime" setting on the petcock, just on/off/reserve.

You might try bopping over to www.fzrarchives.com and asking on their board...very good guys for FZR's.

enos · 03-22-2005, 06:49 PM

I'm just saying to check it. You're gonna be taking the tank off anyway...

2oldbikes · 03-25-2005, 02:44 AM

well, I think I may have found the problem. When I went out to the bike to pull the plugs, I found standing water in the plug wells. Won't bother trying to fix until I get some new plugs and a cover for it.

What was Yamaha thinking?

fzr1rider · 03-25-2005, 02:46 PM

Water in engine at plugs usually= blown head gasket

enos · 03-25-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fzr1rider

Water in engine at plugs usually= blown head gasket

Say what? How would the water go all the way around the head to end up in the plug holes? Valve cover gasket maybe, but head gasket? And if it's just water (not coolant), then it's water from the outside.

2oldbikes · 03-26-2005, 01:03 AM

it's rain water. But the point is that it can accumulate like that at all. The rubber plug boots that are supposed to cover the plugs don't even fit (shape) properly in the valley.

lun · 03-26-2005, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2oldbikes
. . . I was told maybe water seeped in around the plugs as the plug boots can shrink with age? Doesn't sound real likely to me. . . ."

Doesn't look like they were too far off now huh?

2oldbikes · 04-02-2005, 11:54 AM

ok, all the water was removed, wires were dried and new plugs put in then let bike sit for a few days to make sure everything was dry and if it was flooded that too should be ok.

Question is, now what? I mean if the plugs/ends of boots were basically sitting in some water when I was trying to fire it up could something have shorted? Are there specific fuses to check? This is the first Yamaha I've had so I don't know the little quirks or common problems with these bikes.

Taking to a shop is last resort due to price. Labor costs are bad enough anywhere but convert that to Yen and you'll see it just gets worse.

enos · 04-02-2005, 12:23 PM

have you tried starting it? You're not going to damage anything if there is a short in the wires. If it doesn't start, you can get some new/used ones off the net and install them yourself. It's a pretty easy thing to change.

Edit: checking the fuses is always a good idea. They should all be in the same place, so just check all of them. Ignition is always essentially a short circuit (with a little gap to jump), so it shouldn't blow a fuse in your situation.

2oldbikes · 04-10-2005, 01:28 AM

Update: Reolved.

Water in the fuel. Changed plugs, drained tank and then had to replace the fuel filter and turn pump on the let it pump out all the bad fuel. by then battery had been drained but once it was charged up. Bike took a few minutes and fired to life. Thanks to those who replied.