My 94 Seems to have lost power, help!

Just been out riding my 94 VFR a bit this spring, something is not right with it, it doesnt have the power it used to, since ive owned it, when I started it cold, it would idle very fast with the choke on, now it idles normal with the choke on, only around 1500-2000, it will idle on its own, but slow, I have a gravel driveway, and I have always like to punch the gas a bit on it when leaving and throw some dirt for fun, I tried it tonight, and it will barely spin, takes a long time to rev up, almost like it has turbo lag. I pulled the carbs off and cleaned all the jets, didnt change anything, could I have a misfire? Im not sure at this point where to look. Bike only has 16k on it, and is completly stock other than a D&D slip on.

Also, when riding in this cold, about 50 degrees, the temp gauge stays right on cold the whole time, normal? The bike has always rav very cool, usually just off cold, even in summer. I also think i have a bad VR cause the lights dim and brighten, but thats another issue i guess. Maybe theres a clogged port in the carb? If I turn on the choke while cruising, it doesnt seem to change much, only a little sputtering at full choke.


Any help please?

 

Check the gas tank for rust. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to check/replace the fuel filter. Some people (myself included) have seen good results from running some SeaFoam through the gas. In case you don't know what SeaFoam is, it is a fuel additive that can picked up from most major auto parts stores. It was originally developed for marine use but it's very effective on all carberated machines.



As far as your electrical issues. Do you have a multimeter to check your voltage? Has your R/R (regulator rectifier) ever been replaced? In case you don't know, the regulator is a device that limits the voltage that goes from the generator to the battery and the rectifier converts the alternating current of the generator into the fixed DC voltage the battery needs which should be around 13-14 volts. If you replace the R/R unit I would go ahead and put in a new battery at the same time.


Note: When checking the gas tank you should should use a flashlight and not a lighter :biggrin:


Regards,
Rollin

 

vfr

I have a brand new battery in it, my old one boiled and fried the last ride last fall, and also, both my low beams were blown, and the glass bubble out around the filament, I can see the headlights get real bright when im driving at night and go back to dim off and on, When I checked the voltage, at idle cold it was about 14.5, probably wasne acting up at that point, I think im just gonna get a new R/R cause theres not much else to cause that, and I dont want to burn up my new battery.

I pulled a couple spark plugs this morning, and 1 of them looked good and dry, and the other one was soaked with gas, thats after sitting overnight, so Im gonna get some new plugs tomorrow and try that, and Ill also get some seafoam. Thanks!

Eric

 

Man this could be a tough sounds like a fuel issue, yes start with the fuel filter then check the fuel pump and while at it check for a vacum leak too. thats a biggy doesn't take much of one to screw with things and being these are getting older the rubber tends to dry out get hard and crack. good luck let us know how it goes.

 

You might want to make sure that there is spark in all 4 cylinders. Whenever there is an odd, wet plug, with multi-coil systems, you should make you are running on all cylinders. Loss of power is another big symptom.

 

+1 on checking spark and spark plugs.


How cold is it where you are? I know my bike gets a helluva boost in power once it's warmed up to operating temperature around 180+. Check your thermostat while you're at it.

 

vfr

I just ordered some NGK Iridium plugs through our shop, about $40 (ouch) but at least I know they will be good ones, Hopyfully will get them in around 4 hours, Im gonna pull the carbs again while its apart and really clean them good, I bought the bike 2k miles ago, has 16k on it now, so I havent ridden it much, and I dont know if the carbs were ever cleaned or plugs changed, so Im just gonna do it.

It has been about 50 degrees the few times ive been out this year, sitting idling the engine will come up in temp but only around 1/4 the way up or a bit more, and riding it barely moves off cold, so Im also wondering if my stat is bad, think I might just change it anyway, im sure its original.

Also anyone have the part# for the ngk iridiums? i went by the bood and i hope they are the right ones, also what should they be gapped at?