Cylinder Problem - ZXR400 (still)

VTR · Post by **VTR** » Aug 10th, '07, 20:06

Little Loris wrote:I've done a dry test (I think?) where I'm putting the plugs in the HT leads and turning the engine over. The old man said he could see sparks but faint ones?

From what you've described you've tested the plugs &/or coils. Although the fact that the spark is faint does point towards the coil/plugs being the problem, or maybe part of it. Is the spark from 2 & 3 similar to 1 & 4? If so, they may be ok, if not there's the problem (or part of it!!!)
Try changing the coils/plugs from 2 & 3 for 1 & 4 & see if the problem moves, ie: 2 & 3 missing. If it does, then it's the coils/plugs.

If you want to do a compression test you'll need a compression test gauge like this one;-

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=529641

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:23

Took the rocker cover off today and something dropped down by the left hand side. If anyone knows what the hell it is I'd be glad to hear from you!

Looks like a washer of some kind but can't find anywhere that it may have come from. Also, it has a rubber seal on the inside so it hasn't sheared off from anything (I hope!).

baskie · Post by **baskie** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:31

i have no idea mate. sorry, turn the rocker cover upside down, and see if there is anthing looking the same in there, or maybe some idea as to where id came from.

sorry i cant be of more help, but def take carbs off strip them down give em a good old clean make sure they all slide niucely and jets are clean.

but as for the thing that fell of i have no idea, if u got a manual would be a good idea, will look now.

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:34

Looked in the manual and the exploded view of the engine casing - nothing! I'm starting to think it shouldn't have been there in the first place?

I'll take the carbs off now and give them a clean. Any ideas as to what carb cleaner to use?

baskie · Post by **baskie** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:39

erm dunno mate, if it just fell out i dunno what to say? things dont ususly fall out, maybe its not even ment to be there. what model u got? h l?

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:41

H model '89.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:42

It looks like the washer for the top 4 bolts holding the rocker cover on.

baskie · Post by **baskie** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:44

yeh was just gonna say that. have a look under the rocker cover and see if the other 3 are still in the holes? or else looks like could be a gasket type thing that sits on top of the spark plug tubes.

turn the rocker cover upside down and see if there is anyhitng missing,

i very much doubt that that is a washer on its own. look for others. must go somewheere.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Aug 12th, '07, 11:50

Baskie is right. Its either what i said or from the tubes for the spark plugs.

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Aug 12th, '07, 12:26

Ok sorted. Silly me! I found another one and another one and the forth still on the cover

Anyway, does anyone know the jet sizes for the carbs? Mine seem to be different. I have 2 x 88's and 2 x 90's. Is this correct? Do larger jets have a higher number?

I thought it had a dyno jet kit installed when the guy sold it to me, but I have some nice shiny ones in the box with needles etc. It has a Carbon Can co end can on and standard 4-1 downpipes.

Bigger jets for a full system, right?

baskie · Post by **baskie** » Aug 12th, '07, 14:49

Little Loris wrote:Ok sorted. Silly me! I found another one and another one and the forth still on the cover

Anyway, does anyone know the jet sizes for the carbs? Mine seem to be different. I have 2 x 88's and 2 x 90's. Is this correct? Do larger jets have a higher number?

I thought it had a dyno jet kit installed when the guy sold it to me, but I have some nice shiny ones in the box with needles etc. It has a Carbon Can co end can on and standard 4-1 downpipes.

Bigger jets for a full system, right?

yeh can be, best thing to do, search the web, see what toher people have done. (saves alot alot alot alot of time),

yeh carbs differnt jets why not, the 2 different ones will always be apposed kinds thing. it works i guess. just make sure they clean really. and make sure all the toher jets i.e the smaller piolet jets are clean and so forth. also check the float bowles, make sure they move freely and are at the correct levels.

all of this will be in the workshop book mate.

yeh larger jets and higher number. i have a 160 main jet in my bike. lol. awsomeeeeeeee.

anyway. like i said check out forums and such alike. find someone with the same/simmilar set up and see what getting they have got.

hope this helps.

always consults the works shop manual if ur stuck. they have some handy hints and things sumtimes.

hope all goes well mate ;)

Banditmax · Post by **Banditmax** » Aug 12th, '07, 21:06

88's on the outer cylinders 90's on the inner cylinders.

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Aug 12th, '07, 22:50

The workshop manual is really poor and old. It doesn't really give proper instructions on the carbs, I only know how to take them apart from doing my VFR - which is a right sod it being a V4!

Checked the floats and they're fine. Jets are clean and put them back in as they were. It started on all 4 a couple of times previously so it should do it again with the same jets in. Sprayed some carb cleaner in there and put them back on and everything is back together.

Someone mentioned checking earths, so will try that next and get it started again.

If that doesn't do it I don't know what else to try. Its probably something really simple for a handy mechanic, but I really don't know what I'm looking for problem-wise

Still, I'll let you know how it goes.