Honda CRF250L Dirt Bike Won't Start. Can We Fix It?

[@lucasalbis2260]

Crackin the throttle on anything fuel injected while trying to start usually does more bad than good, they’re mapped to start at closed throttle position

[@markhensley9378]

Great job diagnosing this one. Very impressed with your work and looking forward to seeing more on this project. Have yourself a great week.

[@LOOKOUT2012]

I've said it before and I say it again... For non start - quickest to determine what's not working. Disconnect any kill switch. Pull plug, compression test, while plug out test for spark, if ok drop fuel down plug hole.. For those without a compression tested just pull plug and drop some fuel down.. If she fires then you know there's compression and spark and most likely carb / fuel issue. time spent on many outboard and bikes and this is first thing I as Always do it non starter 👍👍

[@backyardbangers1012]

For future reference to test rings just take off oil filler cap put ya hand or thumb over hole winding bike over and if you feel any air coming out rings are shot

[@aarongrabowski3775]

Legend has it, he is still turning it over checking for spark

[@alfredorodriguez4539]

Yeh that gas pump working her a** off.

[@aarongrabowski3775]

@@alfredorodriguez4539 starter too.

[@DirtbikeNb]

@@MadMax-mj1rr LMAO

[@bikesnjosh]

was annoying asf , battery must love him could clearly hear it wasnt going to start yet he held starter for a solid min

[@thomaskitlica5572]

If ya'll can do better start your own channel

[@rhiantaylor3446]

A recent fuel injected bike is always going to be more hassle. I wondered if it might have an immobiliser that would stop injectors firing. Still surprised that it wouldn't fire gas left in the cylinder given it has ~90 psi compression. Good find on the stuck rings, wonder if ring lands have closed up as well.

[@davevernon4993]

Tip, when removing the large slotted fasteners that you tapped with a screwdriver and hammer, either find the largest screwdriver you have, then try and use it as a screwdriver not a chisel, or clamp a suitable coin in some vice/mole grips and remove it without any damage. :) Nice vid btw :)

[@rettbull9100]

4500, bought a new crz 250 for 5k. But glad you made this video. The crf looks alot like my crz. I've only worked on predator motors and my Suzuki cruiser.

[@HIS_tube]

1 pro with a kicker: you’d be able to tell ASAP. I bought a 03 ktm 250 and I started it with my hand 😂. Good work man. You’re very methodical and it pays off.

[@John_Doe_6996]

Kickstart is great until you’re 800 kicks in and still won’t start, while you 5 miles into the trail…and foot is bruised all to hell…

[@68-72mmALKYstyle]

I would of looked into the fuel side of it more but u kno more about those things than I do. Good luck bro

[@OHBUCKEYESisBACK]

Still watching the video and heard you mention new ignition. On my gsxr i got it non running same story about the ignition. Even though it had the diode is still wasn’t right, I replaced it with an oem ignition and it fired right up. Always love the videos!

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

Good job on diagnosis Joe. The new bikes sure are compact, complicated and sort of delicate compared to the older stuff.

[@peacefulwarrior4078]

I wish that Honda would offer the option of watercooled or air cooled engines! Like the older BULLETPROOF XR MODELS that I now wish that I had never sold

[@staygold902]

they still have the old pig

[@1991enduro]

I have a xr250r

[@RaymondCHowes]

I have the 2013 model. Had pretty much the same problem. Being newer and computerized couldn't figure it out. Took it to the local Honda shop for more in depth look over. Should of thought old school. It was the spark plug. Even though I had spark and everything. It was just the spark plug.

[@2vintage]

Yeah best to start with a new plug. Check the easy stuff first.

[@ConnorGMedia]

CRF250L is such a great bike! I've been making videos on mine and am loving it. Great video dude!!

[@jamesbeckwith780]

On the leak down test some leakage past the rings is normal. You should have a leak down gauge. Fuel pumps runs does it pump. Injector pulse test. A noid light tests pulse. Great video.

[@Thewatson77]

Great job Joe. You’ve come quite a ways with your diagnostic skills since the early days 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jmcpowersports3839]

I’m an old school Honda guy, love your Channel. Keep up the good work and have fun-

[@markvandesande8855]

Dirty block carb is my guess 🙄 before watching video? Who would have guessed the piston rings, but i would have thought they would have been ok. But they are 8 years old. Thanks for your great videos.

[@1991enduro]

Injector no carb on this bike

[@brianshaw2914]

troubleshooting sequence most under rated skill.... well done...patience, and dont assume....

[@iceland1982]

Great videos! Have you ever thought to wash stuff off so the sand and dirt isn't falling into the engine, just a quick pressure wash would go along way

[@crboi6440]

i was thinking the same thing

[@chrisatc627]

He’s a hobbyist not a mechanic for sure

[@kevinalbers1084]

I agree. Wash the thing first.

[@jimw7916]

ANY dirt or even sand that fell in would be propelled out the exaust within about 2 secs after startup! ...you guys worry too much.

[@JAGacp45]

Great video but I wish you would have try a brand new spark plug before you took it all apart I've seen spark plugs spark like crazy when tested on the side of the engine but in the cylinder under compression they won't

[@NormalishGuy]

I don’t know if you ever synced carbs because you mostly deal with single carbs but that would be an awesome lesson you could help some of us. You explained the valve Clarence pretty well. Thanks and good videos again!

[@theyzoomers]

Lol it’s easy to sink carbs just match em both perfectly an you can adjust the pto side a little more if you want

[@NormalishGuy]

@@theyzoomers dude I run a motorcycle shop, not everyone understands syncing carbs and obviously people watch his channel so it would be a “ learning “ video to get more views to help him out as well.. so why lol?

[@theyzoomers]

@@NormalishGuy I’ve never really seen him have anything with 2 carbs tho

[@NormalishGuy]

@@theyzoomers I literally said that in my comment…

[@theyzoomers]

@@NormalishGuy yes but how can he show a video on sinking carbs if he don’t have something with 2 carbs

[@dustincanty2622]

Great video man always enjoy watching your rebuilds keep up the good work happy Easter

[@backyardbangers1012]

Use a coin in the slot on inspection covers and turn the coin with pliers, vice grips or a shifter etc. You wont chew out the plastic or even mark it

[@jimw7916]

who cares about plastic marks? ....whats wrong with you?

[@hhstarwars]

Thank you for the wisdom!

[@jimw7916]

@@hhstarwars You have been bamboozled by Satan.........."wisdom" has NOTHING to do with motorcycles!

[@hhstarwars]

@@jimw7916 spoken like a true keyboard warrior!

[@jimw7916]

@@hhstarwars spoken like a hypocrite

[@mrrecliner7675]

Wow I’ve never heard of the leak down test before. Smart idea

[@culturemotived2190]

@@titletownclowns1545 it can be done just not at a high psi

[@mmaaddict78]

You need to use a lot bigger flat head screwdriver to pull those covers off so you don't butcher them. Something that has no play when it's slotted in there.

[@iceland1982]

Yeah that was hard to watch

[@od1624]

Right lol 😆

[@latestplague3762]

Hahaha I cringed and had to look away

[@Orbacron]

I would take this dual sport over many many other bike options👍🏻

[@jimw7916]

thats ok if your legs are 5ft long!...these bikes are way too tall

[@albertsammut433]

My 2009 carby model 450X was doing exactly the same thing..completely dead..turned out to be sparking but weak..replaced the plug with new one..problem fixed.

[@markusmueller9096]

I was wondering if you do work for other people. That's awesome. If I had a project I'd drive all the hours needed to have you fix my machine.

[@wjg7663]

Always like those bikes really reliable, kind of dumb to put on aftermarket pipe that melts the tail light

[@professorright]

A coin or large washer with a vice grip will prevent those ugly chisel marks on your crank and view caps.

[@raphealnewsome2046]

You will get her going,you always do.99.% of the time..

[@jefferybye2169]

Happy Easter...Another great video from..always educational and learn something knew every day..

[@Owen.o2]

I’ve literally seen every single one of your videos over and over and over again Their so entertaining!! I could tell anyone any part of the video and when that part happens for every single one of your vids. I rebuilt my rm250 motor just from your videos! Keep up the good work man I love it!

[@backcountrybuilds]

Same with me. His videos are super helpful and the reason my RM125 engine bottom end rebuild was successful.

[@2vintage]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickromann]

I had a similar bike with the same problem. I had a the incorrect / bad spark plug. Local dealer did not have one ordered one from eBay and she fired right up.

[@rickromann]

Spoke to soon! Good catch with the rings.

[@chrisnsara1]

if you get a crf230l or 230m id love to watch ya work on one.thanks for all the teaching you have tought me,i love watching your videos.i know this is an older video but ehhh whatevas have a good day.

[@rotex380]

Always liked those bikes... looking forward to part 2 man thanks for sharing 👍

[@od1624]

Fuel injected and still cranks on the throttle

[@theamishhitman71]

how big is your youtube channel again?

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

😅😅😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@culturemotived2190]

@@theamishhitman71 Lmaoo

[@chillycheeze2207]

Adventure daily would be proud ☺️☺️

[@rwb5190]

on fuel injection bikes at least ktm they have an internal tank fuel regulator. if that goes bad it recirculates the fuel back into the tank. visually you will see fuel coming out of the injector but will not have the right pressure. inline pressure testers are key on fuel injection. had very similar issues and it was just the fuel regulator stuck open. not saying for this bike but always a good test that goes hand in hand with compression and leak down before ripping into the bike too much. might help someone on here at some point

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

Why are you pumping the throttle when trying to start a fuel injected motorcycle!

[@kalelcoulter4144]

Doesn't make since

[@culturemotived2190]

@@kalelcoulter4144 sense

[@crisneufeld2]

are u sure it's getting fuel ? I would try some starting fluid or something

[@darrenhughes3686]

Nice job mate I would’ve given up

[@ahsokatano6059]

good that you found the issue, sucks thats it the rings

[@gtisid]

The pointless stuff they put on modern bikes is mind blowing, im still thinking electrical but hey what do i know.

[@murrayminimotors1674]

You are Master Diagnostics the small motors glad to be a fan and a subscriber!!

[@fithy6767]

Bob the builder can we fix it? Bob the builder yes we can!

[@James79561]

It stinks in there . Good Job !

[@craigmorgan4676]

Looking forward to this one,ace choice!🤔👍👍👍💪

[@johnperry5102]

you make an excellent instructor, great video

[@thomasdausch8557]

excellent video,, tks for sharing your troubleshooting skills,looking forward to seeing bike running again,

[@staygold902]

nice catch man. come a long way in a couple years

[@peteraitken6494]

Great work joe top man on diagnosis look forward to see it running take care mate 🔧🔧🔧👌👍

[@bradb9146]

I see a slip on aftermarket pipe , but no electronic jet kit . That's most likely the cause of the fried rings to begin with . She definitely got a little too warm . Also , that wasn't an aftermarket air filter , and it was missing the intake boot . You have to re-jet for a pipe , and get a better air filter or risk toasting your rings .

[@Grohss]

I have watched enough vids to where I knew he was gonna say @6:20 "yup its ahhh sparking pretty good" hahahahaha

[@the_ltz_guymaster7912]

Honda did say they want to start adding anti theft measures in place like cars were u can’t use a offbrand ignition you would need to provide ownership for a new ignition or key because of that major dirtbike theft that happened recently at a dealership in mo theifs stole whole new shipment of Honda dirtbikes that haven’t even been in the store a full 2 days

[@1991enduro]

Yes immobilisation issue

[@mikeleblanc2933]

Was water swamped....... Ate the rings.happen to mine the same thing

[@marcemayer6235]

Dude explain to your audience the twisting of the throttle while trying to start any of your project's

[@marcemayer6235]

Dirt bike carbs do not have accurateor pumps let joe answer the question

[@MM_in_Havasu]

That thing sounded the same with the sparkplug in as it did when you motored it with it out. I know the CRF450's use a decompression device and cranking pressure is about 65-80 psi.

[@exlonghauler]

Very puzzling !! I learned something today !! Thanks , I enjoyed the video !!

[@larrywarner9314]

First of all that's not a good and reliable test unless you have a leak down tester , the other thing you need to make sure both valves are closed !

[@crfgangs2446]

Finally you should get more these builds 👍

[@jaredclark26]

Check the fuel could be bad if it’s fuel injection injectors could be messed up or dirty

[@John_Doe_6996]

Soon I’ll be going thru a lot of this same stuff myself…got a 2016 husky fc250 that died while idling after about 2 minutes from cold start, hasn’t fired up since…hoping it’s a spark plug or something simple, I’ve got less than 2 hours of ride time into the bike and it’s cost me well over 5k… motor seemed to start easy and run strong right up until it randomly stalled the other day..

[@markflint8202]

Another decent video great content hello from hartlepool uk

[@11GalleryATV]

Thanks sir, I learned a little from this one. Keep 'em coming!

[@TheDean78]

Buy a bigger screw driver for those timing covers.

[@bighomieJ5X]

Xlnt video, keep up the fire content 💯

[@markwhitfield5412]

curious rings stuck but compression was spot on .

[@backcountrybuilds]

Awesome job. Isn’t that illegal for a Honda?

[@bigmurph1447]

I bet that guy will keep his air filter clean now.

[@lou_b__4135]

Can we get more dirt bike videos 🔥🔥

[@g.p.880]

What would cause the rings to stay/stuck compress into the piston like that? Is it from sitting or just worn out rings? Thanks

[@2vintage]

I believe from sitting

[@stevefritch3180]

Hey Joe. I really enjoyed learning about the leak down test. I've never heard of it but, seems to make perfect sense. I do have a question about the compression tests. I don't understand why the throttle being open or closed would make a difference. Wouldn't that just affect the carburator? How would that affect the compression reading? Thank you for another kick ass video!!

[@maxtheroofer8004]

It only really effects 2 strokes with standard style valves

[@devinlawson4093]

This bike is fuel injected but either way, You need to let enough air in with the throttle open to make full compression. If it's closed then you'relimiting the air. .

[@stevefritch3180]

Devin Lawson. Thank you. That seems to make some sense to me.

[@lklk1997]

You didn't learn too much from this leak down test because he did it all wrong.

[@stevefritch3180]

LK LK What do you think he did incorrectly? What should he have done instead?

[@dan-o9746]

What about freeing up the rings, cleaning out the grooves and try cranking it again?

[@SUPERGOOSE-LLC]

My DR350 sounds exactly like this and everything checks out OK like this bike. I wish he would tell us if he got it working and what the real problem was. I'm not sure he found the real issue.

[@19artem87]

Fantastic video. Thank you!

[@maico4902]

Hi I watch all your videos and always leave a like and iv been going over some of your old videos and some time ago you didn't know what to do with an old 1990s xr250r you split the engine . iv a xl250r 1985 uk road legal but for the life of me a cannot get it started iv put new piston rebore new values lapped in new valve stem oil seals new clutch plates a complete strip down and powder coated new rear suspension linkage bushes were needed new wheel bearings front and rear new enduro tyres can you help

[@RiderJon-offical]

Hey I have a question. I just replaced a water pump seal on my 1993 Suzuki Rmx 250 and when I started the bike cool began to leak from the gasket by the water pump, any idea why it is leaking. And no it’s not from the weep hole.

[@kittenfat2207]

Awesome work. Do you charge for this type of work? Or is it free as it’s content

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

It's free if you bring your bike to him.

[@MrGuvEuroman]

I nearly bought one, but there was so many for sale with super low mileage, I found out that they a so weak people returned or sold them after weeks buying.

[@MrMatto84]

With my kx250f I just gave the cylinder a scrub in soapy water with one them green dishwashing pads

[@planemaintenance3948]

When you first pulled out the spark plug you mentioned that it wasn’t wet. Why didn’t you continue down that road when you found that it sparked but wasn’t wet?

[@jeroendenhertog4975]

That's how those engine inspection covers get damaged. I seriously hate that.

[@BTR2018]

Easy fix;) let’s go 🤘👍🤙

[@trackpackgt877]

You probably already figured this out but those bikes don't have a auto compression release because they're low compression bikes like 8 or 9-1 compression so they don't need a compression release 87 lb is low compression should be well over a 100. getting ready to watch the next video you probably already figured that out though lol

[@danzilla3223]

Very interesting I'm about to buy a 2022 450 and this shows up.

[@markwhitfield5412]

you already confirmed the compression was good...so valves will be good as will leak down test...i wonder why u went that route. looks like timing of the spark, will it have crank/cam sensor, or some whitchcraft going on in the cdi?

[@leviprice4342]

They make a tool to take off the inspection covers , so you don’t have to beat them with a screwdriver

[@manneandersson2203]

Cool video!

[@richardjados3258]

Leakdown tests are supposed to be done 5-7 psi 25 could blow seals out way to much

[@kernelbadness]

You're referring to a leak test for a 2 stroke. A leak down test is done on a 4 stroke. Different tests but essentially accomplishes the same... testing for leaks.

[@Jpsmoto]

I’ve got a 14 crf250l also, it currently is idling super low, around 700 ish rpm, but it is supposed to be idle at 1450, do you have any suggestions on what to do? I already shimmed the valves and it didn’t change much.

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Check for intermittent and weak spark from bad connections.

[@AlexCave]

how many miles did this bike have? these things are basically bulletproof haha

[@mikeleblanc2933]

Nickle sleeves those.

[@DirtDragger36]

So sad he didnt put his music in the beginning of the video

[@Avalanche2]

Hard to believe it has perfect compression and bad rings. Any followup to this?

[@TheGamer-ei5xk]

So these bikes are not his he working on them for people?????

[@alfredorodriguez4539]

Hardly a 4300$ crf250l imho.