I really screwed up!!!

[SgtBunny]

I went out to start my bike this morning and realized I screwed up.

I hit the key and it turned over a couple of times and tried to fire.  

The next thing I hear is the starter clicking and the motor not turning.  Sounds like a low battery sound, which it was low so I had it on a battery charger set on boost to start.

It does not sound like a chunk of metal bouncing around inside.....yet.

Looks like I may have hydrolocked it.

What's the chances of damage?

I started taking chrome off to get to the plugs and realized my plug socket will not fit so
I am going to have to go buy a new one.

any thoughts?

thanks

[Chrisj CMA]

my thoughts.  I re-read your post.  If it truely turned over a few times then its NOT hydrolocked.  If it were hydrolocked it would have made a partial rotation to a hard stop and thats all she wrote.  You are on the right trck to remove the spark plugs, but I suspect you will find no gas, and need to jump her to get her started.......my diagnosis (no guarantee) is a bad battery

[Anthony]

calm down,
if the engine turned over a couple of times, you don't have a hydrolock :
if you would, then the liquid in the cylinder can not be compressed, and it would not make 1 turn.

check your battery voltage, alarm,  fuses, ...

if you are not certain / afraid to break something more : try to push start it :
 sit on it , make a little speed, drop it in 2nd gear.
if it stops like a brick, its locked, 
if it takes of like a rocket, hold on 

Anthony

[Patrick]

  You could also just remove the timing cover center section and put a socket on the crankshaft nut and see if it will turn over.. Kinda sounds like you have valances and will take a week or so to get at the sparklers..
  I'm also with the boys, if the engine made a revolution or two I  doubt you're fuel-locked.. The battery has to be in pretty good shape to start one of these monsters..

[fudgie]

Agree with the rest of the gents. Battery. Your bike tool kit has a plug socket/wrench.

[SgtBunny]

Sorry fudgie, original owner did not send the tool kit but I did buy a socket a few minutes ago and get the plugs out.

middle plugs on both sides were wet.

Battery is dead as a doornail again, will not even burp the horns and lights are very dim.

So, I have;

removed the bowl screws...should have done that and just let her set.
drained the tank.
pulled the plugs

I have a date with my wife tonight so it will have to set until tomorrow.

Tomorrow I plan on buying a new battery and hooking her up.  Then turning the engine over with the plugs out.

After that I will re-assemble and leave the bowel screws out if everything seems alright.

[Chrisj CMA]

Sorry fudgie, original owner did not send the tool kit but I did buy a socket a few minutes ago and get the plugs out.

middle plugs on both sides were wet.

Battery is dead as a doornail again, will not even burp the horns and lights are very dim.

So, I have;

removed the bowl screws...should have done that and just let her set.
drained the tank.
pulled the plugs

I have a date with my wife tonight so it will have to set until tomorrow.

Tomorrow I plan on buying a new battery and hooking her up.  Then turning the engine over with the plugs out.

After that I will re-assemble and leave the bowel screws out if everything seems alright.

You say middle plugs on both sides are wet......after removing the plugs, did you rotate the engine, did gas come out the sparkplug holes?  Its not usual (as far as I have heard) for multiple cylinders to hydrolock, so the story is not sounding any more like a hydrolock to me yet.  BTW make sure if its a battery you have to put the acid in that you put it on an 8hr trickle charge before installing to the bike

[SgtBunny]

Just got back from date night with my wife.

I will not be touching it any more tonight but my paranoid self will be working on it tomorrow.

I plan on doing something to alleviate some of my fears after this though.  I remember reading where someone had installed an electronic shutoff that is triggered with the accessories, I think I will start with that.

[Kingbee]

Here's my install of the electric fuel valve




You can get it here

http://www.dan-marc.com/79-afc11112.html

[bigvalkriefan]

I have the same shut off valve. No more worries about hydrolock.

[SgtBunny]

Ok, progress report.

Plugs are out, battery charged and the started turns over with no noise.

Thank God!

I have an electric shutoff ordered and will be installing it as soon as it arrives.  I am going to also take this time to gap my plugs.

Looking at the plugs it is running rich so I am hoping I can get the time to install my 38's and set everything right as well.

[PAVALKER]

Here's my install of the electric fuel valve




You can get it here

http://www.dan-marc.com/79-afc11112.html

Can this just be added to the existing fuel valve (so I don't have a hole in my nice chrome side cover) or does it replace it?   I would think it could be added in line somehow.... am I right?

[Warlock]

Here's my install of the electric fuel valve




You can get it here

http://www.dan-marc.com/79-afc11112.html

Can this just be added to the existing fuel valve (so I don't have a hole in my nice chrome side cover) or does it replace it?   I would think it could be added in line somehow.... am I right?

You can modify your stock petcock and still use your manual shut off. Someone was selling a plate here to do this set up.
David

[tlanz]

I have a new electric shutoff valve on my workbench waiting to be installed. One thing you might consider tho... Rather than powering it off the accessory output, consider tapping power off one of the ignition coils (blk/wht wire). That circuit ties into the bank angle sensor and engine cutoff. It's just a safer option, IMHO. No sense allowing fuel to flow if the engine isn't (supposed to be) running, eh?

[SgtBunny]

The plates are gone....I bought the last one.

[Warlock]

The plates are gone....I bought the last one.

Maybe he will make some more! If not you can use the write up for the petcock mod from R&M belly tank website.
David

[Friagabi]

Better check the battery! Take it to a Autozone or the like after you have bench charged it and have them check it for cranking capacity.

[trantony]

SgtBunny,
Just read your post and feel the need to share my experience with you. If you ever introduce any more than 2 amps to the electrical system, it's a good chance that you fried a diode in the alternator. When this happens, electrons get confused about which way to go and wires start melting. When you switched your battery charger to boost, it probably shot about 30-40 amps thru the system. Don't ask how I know  . Just take my word for it. Good luck, hope this is not your case.
Leon #1860