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Author Topic: Starting Problems...need help!  (Read 1307 times)
big poppa pump
Member
*****
Posts: 714


San Antonio, TX


« on: November 08, 2014, 06:19:10 PM »

Started bike first time today after my accident. Immediately noticed gas leak from the left carb overflow hose. Tapped the left carbs with a screwdriver and looks like the float(s) are now unstuck since there is no more gas leak. Removed the left side spark plugs and gas sprayed big time from the left side when I started the bike. Starter spun and bike did start. I immediately shut it off since I did not want to risk any damage (hydrolock).

What steps do I need to take to flush all the gas out from the spark plug area? Any other precautions/steps I need to do before I try starting the bike again.

Appreciate any input I can get.

TIA.

BPP.
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VRCC#35870
VRCCDS#0266
1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod

Bighead
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Posts: 8654


Madison Alabama


« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2014, 07:13:33 PM »

Pull the plugs and spin the starter.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
R J
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Posts: 13380


DS-0009 ...... # 173

Des Moines, IA


« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2014, 07:14:41 PM »

Plug the plugs on the right bank and run the starter.'

That should blow all the excess gas out of the cylinders.

Reinstall the plugs and very cautiously tap all 6 carbs and fire the old girl up.

Take her for a spin, come back park it, and let it idle, any leak of gas, tap the carbs again.   Pull the plugs and blow the gas back out.

Change the oil once you have the gas leak stopped.

Add some (full can) of SeaFoam.  Take it out and run it below 2,500 RPM.

Bring it back home and park the bike.    Let it soak overnight.

Next day, start it and look for a gas leak.

If it is still there take it back out and run it for several miles under 2,500 RPM's.

Oh, when ya park it for the night each time, try to get the bike standing as upright as possible without it falling over.

In the morning if it still has a leak, pull the carb bank and clean the carbs out.   If you want to put 38's in the low side of the system, now would be the time to do it.

Every riding year, I add a full can of SeaFoam every  3rd full tank.  So far it has kept my system clean.   Knock on wood.

PS:  I run 10% Ethanol also.  
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 07:16:27 PM by R J » Logged

44 Harley ServiCar
 



 

Michvalk
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Posts: 2002


Remus, Mi


« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2014, 07:19:14 PM »

Well, if the bike started, you didn't have hydrolock. If the bike has to sit, turn the petcock off. Removing the spark plugs, and spinning the engine over will eject the excess fuel. (All over the place, so do it outside). If the bike starts and runs after that, put some carb cleaner in, like Startron, Seafoam, or the like, and run it. Need to work the cleaner into the carbs, and don't be stingy with the cleaner. Use 1/2 or more of the can to a tankfull. and go for a ride. Fill the tank after running some out. I use Seafoam several times a year, and store the bike with it in it. Gas today goes bad fast, and the cleaner will help cooldude
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lifguardct
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Posts: 156


2000 Interstate, 2009 Stratoliner (2007 ZX14 sold)

Southwest Florida


« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2014, 07:33:41 PM »

I always turn off the petcock when I park, will that prevent Hydrolock?
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big poppa pump
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Posts: 714


San Antonio, TX


« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2014, 08:01:33 PM »

Forgot to mention, Petcock has been modified to remove the vacuum function and I have an AFC-111 fuel valve installed.
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VRCC#35870
VRCCDS#0266
1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod

big poppa pump
Member
*****
Posts: 714


San Antonio, TX


« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2014, 01:16:23 AM »

Not to sound too stupid, but can somebody point out where exactly I should be tapping on the carbs?

Thanks/
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VRCC#35870
VRCCDS#0266
1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod

The emperor has no clothes
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Posts: 29945


« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2014, 04:42:39 AM »

Not to sound too stupid, but can somebody point out where exactly I should be tapping on the carbs?

Thanks/
If your floats are sticking open tap on the float bowl (the bottom part of the carb). Doesn't always work but worth a shot.
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Patrick
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Posts: 15433


VRCC 4474

Largo Florida


« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2014, 06:31:02 AM »

If at any time the starter stops with the dreaded 'CLANK' , do not touch that button again until ALL the cylinders have been cleared. Preferably when starting, just tap the button.
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signart
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Posts: 2095


Crossville, Tennessee


« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2014, 06:34:26 AM »

As soon as you get the gas in the cylinder prob worked out, change that diluted oil.
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Hook#3287
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Posts: 6453


Brimfield, Ma


« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2014, 06:46:26 AM »

I always turn off the petcock when I park, will that prevent Hydrolock?

No.

The OEM petcock is not the best system Honda ever engineered.

There is a diaphragm in it that can fail and allow gas to flow or something (rust/dirt) can stop it from closing completely.

That and a stuck carb float and open intake valve can allow gas to fill the combustion chamber.

Some replace the petcock with an aftermarket one and everyone should inspect and/or rebuild the OEM one.

Others have added an electric shut off and/or a in-line gas filter.

One of the best ways to HELP prevent damage is to "Bump" the starter button before starting.
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lifguardct
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Posts: 156


2000 Interstate, 2009 Stratoliner (2007 ZX14 sold)

Southwest Florida


« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2014, 12:17:21 PM »

Thanks.
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gordonv
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Posts: 5763


VRCC # 31419

Richmond BC


« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2014, 06:25:40 PM »

Started bike first time today after my accident. Immediately noticed gas leak from the left carb overflow hose. Tapped the left carbs with a screwdriver and looks like the float(s) are now unstuck since there is no more gas leak. Removed the left side spark plugs and gas sprayed big time from the left side when I started the bike.

I read here that you had fuel in the spark plug cavities of the heads, not in your engine, from the carbs leaking fuel onto your engine.

If I'm right, and you might want to do it anyways, get a length of copper wire, and push it through the drain holes in the spark plug cavity. It might be easier to find the bottom of the drain hole from underneath the head.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS

big poppa pump
Member
*****
Posts: 714


San Antonio, TX


« Reply #13 on: November 09, 2014, 08:08:49 PM »

Fuel was in the left cylinder. Spun the starter this morning and cleared everything up. Put the spark plugs back in and started the bike with choke. Fired up on the first attempt. No more gas leaks either. Emptied a whole can of Techron in the fuel tank and took it out for a short spin keeping RPM's below 2.5k.

Thanks for everybody's input.
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VRCC#35870
VRCCDS#0266
1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod

Hook#3287
Member
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Posts: 6453


Brimfield, Ma


« Reply #14 on: November 10, 2014, 05:10:19 AM »

Forgot to mention, Petcock has been modified to remove the vacuum function and I have an AFC-111 fuel valve installed.

I'm not familiar with this valve.  Is it an electric inline valve?

If your cylinder filled with gas, did it fail?
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wingrider02
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Posts: 245


Maple Lake, MN


« Reply #15 on: November 10, 2014, 06:45:13 AM »

Forgot to mention, Petcock has been modified to remove the vacuum function and I have an AFC-111 fuel valve installed.

I'm not familiar with this valve.  Is it an electric inline valve?

If your cylinder filled with gas, did it fail?

That is an electric stop valve, which should stop the flow of fuel...but sounds like OP was in some type of accident.  If it was with the bike, maybe the fuel has been sitting for some time?

To the OP, did you let the bike sit with key on a while before attempting to start the bike?

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big poppa pump
Member
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Posts: 714


San Antonio, TX


« Reply #16 on: November 10, 2014, 06:54:34 AM »

Bike sat for almost a couple of months with the fuel in the gas tank and the carb bowls. Yes, had the key turned on for a while to let the fuel flow to the carbs before I started the bike.
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VRCC#35870
VRCCDS#0266
1998 Valkyrie Hot Rod

wingrider02
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Posts: 245


Maple Lake, MN


« Reply #17 on: November 10, 2014, 08:20:08 AM »

That is kind of what I thought....my set up is the same way, and figured it would aid in starting up after sitting for a long period of time.  Sounds like you got lucky, and with a little tapping, fixed it.
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