VFR 400 NC24 Steaming from exhaust please HELP!

[dwayman]

Now then chaps!
I bought an NC24 over the weekend (chuffed to bits :D ) she has not tax or test, now I'm quite a mechanically minded lad and doesn't mind getting stuck in, but this being the first V4 400 I have owned I'm writig now for some advice in the direction I need to be heading!

So, I bought her. She fired up first time and rev'd like a good-un. Great! The previous owner was kind enough to bend the rules of the road and rode her back to my house, a good 50 mins away.
The bike is running sound.

So, the next day I spent a bit of time getting her to mot standard (didn't take much at all) again she fired up and rev'd like a normal bike.

The next day mot time... I jump on her and try to fire her up and... Nothing. Battery died trying. So I charged her up, and soon enough she was ticking over, but as soon as you put choke on or any revs she would cut out.

Leaving her to tick over for 10 mins I could rev her up to 7000 rpm and as soon as you try passing 7 grand she lost all power and died (didn't stall tho)

But... When you hover around the 7000 mark she steams like crazy from the exhaust, smelling the White steam that looks like smoke it doesn't smell oily or like petrol... HMMM?!?!

How can a bike run fine one day and the next run like crap?!

Initilial thought is gasket?

What do you recon lads? Thoughts please and thank you!

[iDemonix]

Have your oil/coolant levels dropped at all? I'm a mechanical novice but that's what I'd check first.

[dwayman]

Oil and coolent levels are looking ok, just tried to start her up again and nothing, just turned over and over and wouldn't fire

Spoken to a cupple of lads and the thinking is that if the gasket has gone there should be water in the oil? Checked oil and it's clean.

[iDemonix]

I can't help much best wait for someone with knowledge!

As for not starting, kill switch on (everyone's done it)? Fuel tank switched on? Are the plugs sparking? Plugs die easy in these bikes if you flood them, take one out and check it (back left easiest if I remember), if it's soaked then you can dry 'em on a flame or I believe some oven them. How much choke are you using? You should be using FULL CHOKE and NO THROTTLE.

I know these are simple things but they're all I can offer and it makes sure the basics are outtatheway

[dwayman]

HAHA, think we have all been there chief with the kill switch, but yea I have checked the basics and all is fine. Good advice about choke and throttle - will make sure I use all and none next time.

I thought i could have been old fuel at first, so i emptied the tank and put fresh in, but thats done nothing, haven't done the plugs yet... day off tuesday so plan to blitz the plugs and possibly the carbs then... :s

Just don't understand how it can run fine one day and next run like a bag a spanners!!!

[iDemonix]

Stick the battery on charge overnight, tomorrow give it full choke no throttle and give it a few cranks. If no joy inspect plugs and check for spark.

You haven't sprayed anything on the rear of engine lately have you? I WD40'd my rear manifold bolts trying to get them out, re-fitted and smoked like fuck, shit me up for a bit!

[dwayman]

Nope, just the new fuel. Only got the bike last weekend, been working so haven't had time to get really in depth, but this problem is maxing me out, hence me asking for some words of wisdom and some pointers :)

Think thats the best course of action chief. Cheers!

[Vfr400/tbird]

Sounds like somthing could have worked loose, was it mecanically noisy (top end wise) prior to ill running?

Also check the rubber hose that goes from the fuel tank tap to a inlet on the rear right hand cylinder as this is a vacum pipe that needs to be sucking air in order to operate the tap properly, if its not tight or not on there and its not sucking properly the bike will run like crap or not at all!

Excessive fuel can also lead to poor running and starting, check the choke cable routing for a fault if the cable is pulled on even when not selected to be at the lever it may be over fueling and cause hard starting and poor running!

Other than the above a easy way to tell how the fueling is, is to check the plugs for colouration here's a link to a chart showing all the colour codes and effects caused! http://www.mudinmyblood.net/forum/view. ... prkplgchrt

Good luck and i hope you get it running good as its always nice to see another nc21/24 rider

[dwayman]

This might sound daft, but how many pipes should be connected to the tank? There are two... should there be three?

[Vfr400/tbird]

There should be one large pipe and realy thin one thats the vacum pipe!
Thats all mine has and i dont think theres any more places for anymore pipes to connect!