Hydrolock/Q On The Coast/Rockport Wrench Party

[medulla762]

For the past week I've had starter issues. Several times When I push the starter nothing would happen and then it would start as if nothing was wrong. Cleaned the switch and thought that solved the issue. Today while attempting to leave work for lunch it happened again. Push starter and nothing. Boss gave me a ride home. I had lunch grabbed the voltmeter jumped in the truck and back to work I went. Finished up work and checked the battery. 12.5 and when the starter was pressed it was 13.6  Sat around for a few minutes and tried it again. What do you know it fired right up. Boss followed me home so he could bring me back for my truck. When I got home I checked starter relay all was good. Had a little corrosion on the fuse that goes to the wire from the starter. Cleaned it and when I hit the starter  got the dreaded clank clunk whirrrrr! My heart sank and I thought I was going to get sick. Pulled the starter and yep teeth on gears were broken. If anyone is up for some of the best bar b q on the coast and a little wrenching it would be greatly appreciated! I have two spare bedrooms so if anyone wants to head this way and give a sulking kindred spirit some moral support and perhaps some tech support my house is your house! I realize this is a helluva thing for a stranger to ask but I thought I would throw it out there. I'm confident I can do this on my own but it would be great to have some experienced, been there done that, knowledge at hand to keep from doing things the hard way.   

[medulla762]

2000 Tourer. OEM petcock new cover set  January 2015. #6 cylinder had the fuel in it.

[Rocketman]

If I recall correctly, the #6 is the one that the OEM petcock draws vacuum from.  You shouldn't have a leak through there with a brand new cover set, but it's possible. 
I wish I could head down there and help out, but it's rare that I get a free day, much less a free weekend.

Mark

[medulla762]

Yeeeehaaaww!!!! Finally got the motor all back together with only one part left over. A dowel somehow got left out. Didn't find it hiding in the corner of a box until the case was back together. Got the carbs all rebuild with the Redeye kit and new seat seals. Have a new petcock. It was the number four carb that was the culprit and not number six as stated in my original post.
Now if I can just get all those hoses and wires back in there proper places I will be back in the wind

[Red Diamond]

Based on the date of your original post, you are really working hard on getting it ready for this summer.

[medulla762]

I was waiting on a winter Texan friend who is a motorcycle mechanic to make his annual vacation to south Texas. A week ago he called and informed me he had to cancel this year's trip. I really didn't want to attempt this without some help but so far so good. It's not all back together yet, but it hasn't been as bad as I anticipated. Certainly wish I would have started the project earlier.

[Firefighter]

The number four leaked enough fuel while you were at work to hydrolock or was there petcock problems also? I always thought (hoped) you would need both carburetor and petcock failure to cause a hydrolock condition.

If I read correctly, sounds to me like you could also have an electrical problem, with the starter not working and then starting right up. Battery voltage rising when the starter switch engaged.

 Let us know and my hats off to you for tackling that project!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have a few questions. Did you take engine out or do it with it in the frame ? Have you replaced the cover set or a new petcock. And if so did you check it after ? Have you replaced the float needles and springs ? Have you installed a DanMarc ? YOU DONT WANT TO GO THRU THIS AGAIN. 

[medulla762]

The number four leaked enough fuel while you were at work to hydrolock or was there petcock problems also? I always thought (hoped) you would need both carburetor and petcock failure to cause a hydrolock condition.

If I read correctly, sounds to me like you could also have an electrical problem, with the starter not working and then starting right up. Battery voltage rising when the starter switch engaged.

 Let us know and my hats off to you for tackling that project!

I havent checked the old petcock but will and I will post my findings. Definitely an electrical problem somewhere. Possibly the starter switch or fuse connections. Not sure which as I cleaned both.

I have a few questions. Did you take engine out or do it with it in the frame ? Have you replaced the cover set or a new petcock. And if so did you check it after ? Have you replaced the float needles and springs ? Have you installed a DanMarc ? YOU DONT WANT TO GO THRU THIS AGAIN. 

Removed engine. No way can it be done with engine in frame. When I got the bike the petcock was leaking so I installed a new cover set. Several months later it hydrolocked. I rode the bike daily.  I will replace the petcock with a new OEM petcock(grab the popcorn folks and let the entertainment begin...lol). The new petcock WILL be tested before installation. New float needles have been
 installed and I will vacuum test all carbs before reinstallation. When I got the bike a friend and I cleaned the carbs because the bike had been sitting up and would not run. I wished to rebuild the carbs at that time but was talked out of it. LESSON LEARNED!!!  No DanMarc will be installed(see above popcorn remark...lol).

I'm off to bleed clutch and change timing belts. Then the fun starts with carb install and reconnecting pesky airbox, hoses and electrical. Refill fluids and perhaps in a week or so I will get to hit the starter button...and yes , I will be holding my breath....lol   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Sounds like you've got it under control. I think I remember some guys doing it without removing engine. Glad you are going with new float needles. Several reputable guys on here recommend new float springs also. The DanMarc is only $40 or so and pretty simple. 

[medulla762]

WOW!!! I don't see how in the heck you could split the case, pull the clutch and get at the three staked nuts with the engine in the frame. I know mechanics have special tools, experience and many tricks up their sleeves, but it has to be easier to pull the motor as opposed to trying to access everything with motor installed!?

Please explain new float springs. Do you somehow take the new needles apart and replace the new springs with a different better spring? I will reconsider DanMarc

[big poppa pump]

No need to take anything apart. Drop-in replacements.

http://www.amazon.com/Supply-18-8955-Float-Needle-K3-Keihin/dp/B001KOD732/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454163701&sr=8-2&keywords=valkyrie+float+needles

[medulla762]

Got the reassembly far enough along this evening that I could hit the starter button. After a a few attemps it fired right up. What a great feeling of accomplishment and relief when I heard those open cobras counting 'em off! The Redeye carb kit really made it run like a sun of a gun. Can't wait to get it all back together and get into the wind.

I disassembled the old petcock and sure enough it was worn/torn for about a quarter of the circumference. You would have thought it was a hundred years old. I suppose it must have been a bad batch of elastomer from which the diaphragm was molded.

[babycake]

WOW!!! I don't see how in the heck you could split the case, pull the clutch and get at the three staked nuts with the engine in the frame. I know mechanics have special tools, experience and many tricks up their sleeves, but it has to be easier to pull the motor as opposed to trying to access everything with motor installed!?

Please explain new float springs. Do you somehow take the new needles apart and replace the new springs with a different better spring? I will reconsider DanMarc