[Flipper]

Pulled the 2015 Z800ex out of the garage to get my sons quad out.  Figure I would take it for a spin since I have not really ridden it all that much this year.  It is a 2015, with about 600 miles on it.   Noticed it was lacking power.  top speed was about 35/40mph.  Brought it back, and parked it.  Saturday, I pulled it out again and left it run while I got my sons quad out.  It shut off after about 10 mins of idling.  temps was good, no warning lights. etc..  It would not start back up.  yesterday I pulled the air cleaner (uni filter) and it was dirty, but not horrible.  I did notice some oil in the bottom of the airbox. Tried to start it again without the cleaner on,  no dice.  It does have spark.

What is the best way to ensure it is getting fuel? Hoping it is nothing major.

Thanks,

Flipper

[REDRIDER]

crank it over with the air cleaner off and spray some ether, carb cleaner, brakekleen, whatever is flammable in the throttle body. If it starts on that then you have a fuel problem. Next step if it doesn't start I would pull the plugs and do a compression test (as you said it does have spark)

[NMKawierider]

Also, pull the cap off the tank and turn the key on. The fuel pump should run a bit then shut off. If after that it starts, look to the vent check valve on the tank. Might be stuck shut. Mine got stuck open but doesn't mean it can't go the other way...my Brute's did. You can also test the fuel pressure and that's probably easiest at the filter...which can also be plugged-up...another thing to check. Low voltage also stops the coils from charging so even if it cranks, doesn't mean the ECY has enough juice...has to be above 11.5 volts. Charge the battery fully..like for a day and try it. I know on mine if I don't put the tender on it in a week it takes all day to top off. Can't imagine if I left it alone for a month.

[Flipper]

Here is where I am at:

-I have fuel
-I have spark
-crank it over, nothing.  I pulled the intake assemply and it was filthy.  Took all of the components off and cleaned it really good. 
- crank it over with the gas pedal to the floor, it started after a few cranks and it is a rough idle.  There is a good bit of smoke coming out as well.  almost like it running too rich. 

Any suggestions?  The only way it will start is with the gas pedal to the floor.

John

[NMKawierider]

Better check the compression. With the intake being dirty clearly she's sucked-in trash so..just better check. You been servicing that Unifilter and using the proper filter oil?

[Cosmosdan]

2nd on the compression test. Check the plug too. Low, cap of oil down the hole. Gets better than it's the bore/rings. No change, valves. Holding it to the boards should dump fuel in there. It will run bad until it clears all the extra fuel. Your plugs should be black if rich.

[Flipper]

Was only able to pull the front plug.  Boy are they a bitch to get out. I could not get the back one out. The front one was black. I will work on the back one again today.

I clean the filter after every ride.  I live in the coal region and the coal dust is nasty.  I did not notice much smoke, if any coming out of the exhaust, looked to be coming from the  engine area. pulled the breather hose that goes to the airbox and when I got it running, some oil spit out of the port under the intake.

Thanks for the suggestions, shop is 2+ hours away, so I am trying to do what I can to narrow it down. 

John

[chuddly]

The rear plug should be pretty easy to get out through the bed access panel I would think???  I think this motor is pretty accessible all in all

[Flipper]

Problem is the tool you get is not long enough. When you put it in the spark plug hole, the sole for the screwdriver is does tool low.  I tried a standard sparkplug socket, but it does not seem to go down far enough.  the wall of the socket may be too thick. 

From the symptoms, it seems the rings are gone. :-(  hoping not, but I should know by Thursday when I do the compression test.

Only have 600 miles on it. **sigh**.... 

[chuddly]

You would be the first one I have heard of with rings bad on these.  If compression check comes back low then maybe valve clearance ?

[Flipper]

Was able to pull the plugs, used a 5/8 deep socket.  they came right out.  Plugs were black.  Still had spark though. Did the poor mans compression test, put my finger over the hole and cranked it.  the rear cylinder blew my finger off the opening, the front cylinder not so good.  I was able to keep my thumb over the hole while cranking, not as powerful as the rear cylinder. 

Going to pull the valve cover tomorrow and see what is going on.

[NMKawierider]

Yeah..I'm afraid something has happened...

[Cosmosdan]

Valves might just be tight. If not try the cap of oil trick to see if the compression goes up. Use a real gage. This has been a time saver for me to know where the problem is. If it doesn't get better with the oil, you might have a problem in the head or gasket.

[chuddly]

I want to say it out loud that im not saying that the rings are not the problem....Im just stating that they are not a COMMON problem.  Lets just hope the valves need adjusted

[Flipper]

I just picked up a tester,  going to test tonight. Man I hoping that the valves are the issue.  fingers crossed.