Hey Wizard et all! Hydrolock? Starter? What do I do now?

[Sparky51]

Good news, my baby is at the house and wont turn over. Bad news, I suspect Hydrolock?
1) Had not rode her since mid winter ride, 2) This AM when I hit the starter hear a quick "clunk" and then headlights went dim, (I am assuming cause the starter was trying to turn a stuck motor).  Battery is less than 1 year old.  3) Neutral light is OK, 4) clutch pulled in makes no difference. 5) Lights come back nice and bright after failed attempt to start. (tried a couple times each time with  a firm clunk, and lights go dim) 
So, what should I do next?  I am thinking pulling the plugs, (can't decide to pull one at a time, try to turn over, or yank all 6 at once and try to turn over.)  Any ideas?
If she does not crank either way after above, I will tow it (sacrilidge I know) to the wrench party.  I do have a petcock rebuild kit on hand just in case, but if after yanking plugs and she does not crank, I am concerned.  (May try throwing a charger on it just for yuks, too, but I seriously doubt it) I ramble on, I know. Sorry.  Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

[Super Santa]

If hydrolock, pull ALL plugs, then try to crank it.  Stand back aways and cover your eyes.  If you have a cylinder full of fuel it will blow a 6' geyser of fuel into the air.  Very hard on the eyes.

I fuel spurts out, probably the petcock.

Suggest trying that first to see if it is hydrolock.  Everytime you try starting it with a cylinder full of fuel you risk breaking a starter gear or bending valves.

[RainMaker]

I'd think it's the battery.  However, it doesn't take that long to pull the plugs if you suspect hydrolock and I'd just take them all out, then try to spin it.  5 minutes of prevention and all that.  If it still does the same thing, I'd look at the battery next.  It's that lights going dim ( I assume this is everything except the headlight, which should go out when you hit the starter) that makes me think it's a low battery.

There will be better answers, though....

[Houdini]

Sounds like a weak battery, have you put your battery conditioner or charger on it yet?

[HayHauler]

If hydrolock, pull ALL plugs, then try to crank it.  Stand back aways and cover your eyes.  If you have a cylinder full of fuel it will blow a 6' geyser of fuel into the air.  Very hard on the eyes.

I fuel spurts out, probably the petcock.

Suggest trying that first to see if it is hydrolock.  Everytime you try starting it with a cylinder full of fuel you risk breaking a starter gear or bending valves.

+1.  Pull all 6 plugs in the driveway and stand back as far as your arms will let you.  6' o gas spray will ignite REAL easy. 
Good luck, and we'll see ya at the party, ridin' the Valk. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Rocketman]

First, if you EVER suspect hydrolock, STOP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING.  Rainmaker's comment about five minutes of prevention truly applies here.  (Did I just agree with him?  Isn't that against some bylaw?)
That being said, I believe it's a battery issue as well.  I assume you caged it to work?  What time do you figure on being home?  I might be able to stop by and give a hand.

Mark

[Sparky51]

Thanks all for the input. For sure you all saved me from squirting a 6' stream of gas all over my truck and gargage walls!   Mark offered to drop by, looks like Thursday works best.  I will throw it on the charger tonight just in case, but "NO TOUCH" the starter button until I yank the plugs.

What an awesome group to be part of!  Thanks.

Lets hope it is something simple like the battery!

 

[RainMaker]

Mark offered to drop by, looks like Thursday works best. 

If Rocketman is stopping by, be sure to put lead or foil around your alternator - he is "kryptonite" to them 

[HayHauler]

Thanks all for the input. For sure you all saved me from squirting a 6' stream of gas all over my truck and gargage walls!   Mark offered to drop by, looks like Thursday works best.  I will throw it on the charger tonight just in case, but "NO TOUCH" the starter button until I yank the plugs.

What an awesome group to be part of!  Thanks.

Lets hope it is something simple like the battery!

 

And if you have a gas water heater in the garage....it just might get a whole lot worse if you don't get it "outside" in the clear.  But, you knew that.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Rocketman]

Mark offered to drop by, looks like Thursday works best. 

If Rocketman is stopping by, be sure to put lead or foil around your alternator - he is "kryptonite" to them 

See, now this is why I'm not permitted to agree with the man.  (:

[Rocketman]

If hydrolock, pull ALL plugs, then try to crank it.  Stand back aways and cover your eyes.  If you have a cylinder full of fuel it will blow a 6' geyser of fuel into the air.  Very hard on the eyes.

For the record, I recommend rolling the bike in gear instead of hitting the starter button.  This cuts down on the stream velocity, as well as the spark potential turning the offending cylinder into a blowtorch.
So, I recommend pulling the plugs, then putting her into gear, and rolling her.  You'll still be turning the engine, but not as fast, and like I said, no electricals turned on= fewer fires.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I'm with Mark, put that thing in 5th gear and try and push it if it will turn over while pushing it's most likely just the battery or starter button. If it is hydrolock it'll just lock up the rear wheel and slide. No damage to bike will occur.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Sparky I'm pretty close if you need help holler.

[Valkpilot]

Definitely clear the cylinders to make sure it's not hydrolock, but I'm betting on a weak battery.

It wil test good until you put it under load.

[Rocketman]

I'm with Mark, put that thing in 5th gear and try and push it if it will turn over while pushing it's most likely just the battery or starter button. If it is hydrolock it'll just lock up the rear wheel and slide. No damage to bike will occur.

I do that even without pulling the plugs as my "30-second check", when I feel I need to.  If I was pretty sure, I'd pull the plugs.  Since he has a tourer (no pods), pulling the plugs is even easier.

[wizard -vrccds#125]

CALL ME !!!!!

[Sparky51]

Thanks Wizard and Early Bird for the call! First thing tonight the plugs are coming out!  Could not get to the bike last night with work and all.
Will let you all know how it goes tonight afterwards!

[Sparky51]

Well, here is the update, first a big thanks to Rocketman for dropping by to help out.
1) Not the battery, stuck her on the charger she shows full charge in 5 minutes.  2) Was definitely hydrolock, pulled all 6 plugs, strong smell of gas from right front side of engine.  3) did the fifth gear, roll slightly down the driveway and got a couple ounces of gas to flow out of the cylinder.   4) after clearing it by rolling the bike some, hit the key an ignition.  She turns over so easy, we thought the starter was not engaging, of course, no compression to "push back".  Then installed all 6 plugs, and gave her a start. 5) Whoo Hoo! She runs, no obvious engine damage, clunking etc.  Ran the engine for a little, she is smoking some on the right side, (same side with flooded cylinder) Either she is running rich or something.   Anyway, ran it enough to go back to the garage.  Petcock is still switched off "just in case".    So:  Plan 1, clean or rebuild the petcock, I have a rebuild kit on hand.  Plan 2, need to yank the carb, Right front one is the bad boy.  Maybe I am lucky and it is just junk in the seat.  If not lucky, need carb repair/ replace.     
Good lesson, I have never got in habit of shutting off the fuel valve, I think after today I am a new believer!    Side note, ran out of gas on way home from Austin, wonder if I sucked junk into petcock and carb causing the problem.  Never ran on reserve before the Austin Trip. Thanks Guys! Wizard, don't have your number, sent you a P.M.

[Rocketman]

EVERYONE TURN OFF YOUR FUEL!!!
Everytime you stop, turn it off.  Turn it back on the next time you get on.  Get in the habit.  It won't save you 100% of the time, but it sure increases your chances of surviving the day.
Steve got lucky, and none of the gears appear to be broken.  (Steve- I forgot to tell you to keep an ear out whenever you start it.  If it rattles a bit, you have undetected damage.  Unlikely, as I didn't hear any indication tonight, but you never know what's hiding in that engine case.)

[elraque]

You may have dodged a thousand dollar (or more) bullet. When it hydrolocks it often breaks teeth on the idler gear. You have to pull the motor to replace them.

+1 on the listen -- if you broke gear teeth they will rattle audibly when you tap the starter. She will still turn over and start, but if you listen you can tell that it just doesn't sound "right."

Here's hoping you dodged that bullet!

[laserpat]

Change your oil. Gas might have seeped past the rings into the crankcase.

[5_19]

EVERYONE TURN OFF YOUR FUEL!!!
Everytime you stop, turn it off.  Turn it back on the next time you get on.  Get in the habit.  It won't save you 100% of the time, but it sure increases your chances of surviving the day.
Steve got lucky, and none of the gears appear to be broken.  (Steve- I forgot to tell you to keep an ear out whenever you start it.  If it rattles a bit, you have undetected damage.  Unlikely, as I didn't hear any indication tonight, but you never know what's hiding in that engine case.)

Why not install an 12 vdc solenoid valve in the fuel line that opens and closes with the ignition switch. I have one just haven't installed it  . I am wrenching at my house this weekend and install that puppy.

[Rocketman]

Change your oil. Gas might have seeped past the rings into the crankcase.

Good comment, Pat.  Steve brought that up last night, and he said he intended to change the oil.

[Sambeaux]

Knew I'd seen this items somewhere but had to look around to remeber where.

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Fuel_Shutoff/fuel_shutoff.html

Me thinks it may be worth the investment - something for the next wrench party.

Best,

Sambeaux.

[franco6]

scarry