[madbeez]

Ive had what I feel has been preigntion since I bought my Z. Today I confirmed that suspicion by mixing 1/2 gallon of 110 octane leaded race gas with my 93 octane fill up. After a few minutes, once the fuel had gotten through the line, the detonation noise ceased and frankly it ran better. Great, but this is a 9.8:1 engine… whats going on here? Kawasaki claims its normal, however my experiment disproves that.

Thought?

 

[Zmike125]

why are you even putting 93 in
im pretty sure the bike is built for low octane 87

did you try a few gas stations
maybe one had water in it causing problems

 

[madbeez]

I have had this issue literally since I bought it, I drained the dealer supplied fuel thinking it was stale. Refilled with premium and have just been trying to understand why this is happening. Yes to different stations, different fuels as well.
On a whim I gave the 110 a shot and the noise is gone.

Im asking here because if its only my bike doing this then I will take this to the dealer and leave it until they find the cause. It may be a ecu issue advancing the timing imo.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Zmike125]

the service manual calls out for 91 ron
this is used in other countries

service manual also says
antiknock index 87 octane for (USA)
so the bike is made to burn 87 octane





https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090213121625AA0UCK6

 

[Zmike125]

I have had this issue literally since I bought it, I drained the dealer supplied fuel thinking it was stale. Refilled with premium and have just been trying to understand why this is happening. Yes to different stations, different fuels as well.
On a whim I gave the 110 a shot and the noise is gone.

Im asking here because if its only my bike doing this then I will take this to the dealer and leave it until they find the cause. It may be a ecu issue advancing the timing imo.

Thanks everyone.

did you ever verify the timing was correct that can be done in minutes with a couple tools

and correct spark plug/gap was being used

if you ever plan on doing any intake and exhaust mods, then just do that now and get a fuel controller

that should bypass whatever the ecu is trying to put out for timing, spark, and fuel amounts

 

[madbeez]

Plug gap yes, ignition timing/advance no.
Ecu, intake and pipe will be done during the winter months, however, it really is bad enough that I am looking for a solution so it doesn't melt down before that happens. Yes, its stock and has a warranty, but I hate ruining things just because.

Safe to say yours doesn't sound like a can of marbles Mike?

 

[MindThreat]

Plug gap yes, ignition timing/advance no.
Ecu, intake and pipe will be done during the winter months, however, it really is bad enough that I am looking for a solution so it doesn't melt down before that happens. Yes, its stock and has a warranty, but I hate ruining things just because.

Safe to say yours doesn't sound like a can of marbles Mike?

So have you actually tried running just straight 87 and nothing else an entire tank or two? I've had engines that ran like absolute **** the second I put anything over 87 in them because they were meant to burn that and they were high compression ratio engines. Would recommend you go straight 87 and reset the ECU. The noise will not just magically disappear right away either, it'll be a tank or so.

 

[madbeez]

Yes. I have drained and refilled...Refilled and rode until empty with Sunoco 87 and 93 and kwik fill 87 and 93. In between the four tanks I had the battery unhooked overnight.

I understand what you are saying totally. Ive been doing this for decades and ran 87 in my VMax for years. I run 87 or 93 in my R3…
Only my motox bikes and a big bore SR500 required anything above pump gas.

Tomorrow brings me another call to the dealer…

Thanks Mike


Mike
This Z has me confused buddy!

 

[Zmike125]

Plug gap yes, ignition timing/advance no.
Ecu, intake and pipe will be done during the winter months, however, it really is bad enough that I am looking for a solution so it doesn't melt down before that happens. Yes, its stock and has a warranty, but I hate ruining things just because.

Safe to say yours doesn't sound like a can of marbles Mike?

I've never heard an engine that was running the wrong octane so not sure what that sounds like
and mine has ticky sounds
but my other small engine 125's sound similar too
you can hear the tapping of the valves and whatever spinning inside

can you do a video of the sound
I have one of mine here somewhere on this site

 

[KawiGirl]

Sounds strange that the Z125 can't take the manufacturer suggested fuel, let us know what your dealer says.

 

[madbeez]

I'm awaiting their phone response…

 

[madbeez]

Nothing worthwhile from this particular dealership to report. "Ride it, if it has issues it is under warranty "

Nice.

 

[Zmike125]

dealerships can't really tell you what to do
they are the middle man, probably make $125 off the sale of the bike
and don't have time to waste looking at it without getting paid

when you bring in under warranty work, they get paid when they do the work

so either it needs to sound like its about to fall apart when you bring it in, or its non functional when you do



any kawasaki dealer can do work, or warranty work on it
so you can always try someone else
maybe they will have a mechanic that can look at it for free and give suggestions




I suggest checking the timing see if it lines up with the marks