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spb350
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« on: November 26, 2013, 11:57:53 AM » |
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Hi Guys
I'm new to the board, I have owned my 98 since 2007 and haven't had any problems so everything was cool, great bike. Yesterday I went out to start my bike (23K miles, used to live in WY so short riding season) and the starter spun for a second then clunk. Hmmmmmm, thats not right I'm thinking, never done that before. So I'm thinking starter?. I did rock the bike after putting it in gear and tried to start it one more time, the starter engaged then nothing. OK definitely a problem. I get on the net and find this board and start searching. Hydrolock what is that? more searching, sounds like that could be it. Hmmmmm, I hope I didn't break some gears. Well I live in AZ now and rain is pretty scarce here, but last weekend we got two inches plus. My bike has been sitting outside (unfortunately) and here we don't have raingutters. I think my bike was getting poured on from the roof as well as the sky. Today I pulled all the plugs and the middle cylinder on the left hand side had water in it, uh oh. So I spun the starter to clear the cylinders and thank God no unusual noises. I cleaned everything up greased the boots with spark plug grease and put everything back together. I had my fingers crossed, hit the starter and all is well. Moral of this story don't let your bike get poured on and keep those boots clean and lubricated. Anybody else ever have this happen? How lucky was I not to break something?
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art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
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« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2013, 12:03:31 PM » |
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Go buy some lottery tickets, you are lucky.
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2013, 12:04:29 PM » |
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So your explanation is water in the cylinder?
How do you think the water got in there?
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2013, 12:21:43 PM » |
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Water in the cylinder ? Are you sure ? About the only way water could get in a cylinder is from a plugged drain hole and then removing the sparkler without blowing air into the 'cave' to make sure it was clean.
So again, are you sure water flew out of the hole, or, could it have been fuel ?
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15240
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2013, 12:54:45 PM » |
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If, as the others questioned, it isn't water, then you are indeed very lucky. I maintain you had a hydrolock, raw fuel in the cylinder which can't be compressed. So when you spin the starter, something has to give and it's the internal starter gears. Hopefully not a gear boss that's an integral part of the rear engine cover. My guess your petcock is giving you trouble or one or more of the carbs have a dirty float valve stuck open. I'd sure look further rather than blame it on the weather, otherwise our bikes would have trouble every time we washed them.
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Poor Ol Harry
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« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2013, 01:16:14 PM » |
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I think u really shudda done a taste & smell test on that WATER.....If that happened to me I'd go into the hydro lock prevention mode.
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spb350
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« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2013, 01:38:42 PM » |
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I'm not sure how the water could have gotten in there but I smelled it and it didn't have any smell at all. After I ran the starter and the fluid shot out I wiped it up with a paper towel and no smell. All the spark plugs were tight and the boots in place so I don't know. I did have to run two cans of Seafoam thru it about 4 months back as it was kind of plugged up from not driving it. That stuff worked wonders. I never have had any gas smell so I don't think its leaking. All I know for sure is it was raining like hell, my bike got poured on and there was fluid in one cylinder and I believe it was water but? From now on I intend to shut the fuel off every time, something I have never done before. Now that I know there is such a thing as hydrolock I am going to take steps to avoid it. Is there a simple way to tell if I have a leak? Is there one step I should definitely take at this point? Thanks
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2013, 01:46:22 PM » |
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Like I said, check the drain hole. If the cylinder filled with water its because you probably allowed the water to enter the cylinder when you pulled the sparkler. That can only happen if the drain hole is plugged. Take a wire and clean them out, but, don't let any crap get into the cylinder.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15240
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2013, 01:51:55 PM » |
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You might find it easier to locate those drain holes from underneath....my experience anyway.  |
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spb350
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« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2013, 02:40:31 PM » |
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How much fluid has to be in the cylinder to cause this? 1/2 ounce? two? mm's? Thanks
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2013, 03:19:12 PM » |
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If I remember correctly the combustion chambers are in the 30-40cc range. Its been a long time.
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2013, 05:36:18 PM » |
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What if the Intake O rings are shot and with water collecting on the top of the motor it seeped into the cylinder? It could happen, and If there was a significant volume of water, maybe the starter couldn't get enough momentum built up to do damage when it locked up. No mater how it happened, you were lucky and need to take steps to insure it doesn't repeat.
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 Troy, MI |
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Pappy!
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« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2013, 06:54:01 PM » |
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Am thinking that if the intake O-rings were that far gone that the engine would run like poo at an idle.
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2013, 04:43:36 AM » |
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Am thinking that if the intake O-rings were that far gone that the engine would run like poo at an idle.
Not necessarily, High vacuum at idle will tend to draw parts together. Think of it this way, Hard crushed O-rings with the engine cold, sitting with water pooled around the bottom of the intake runners, sitting for extended period. Clamp load in the intake/head joint would be at a minium when cold and perhaps allow water to seep in. Maybe not, but it is something I would check. |
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Troy, MI |
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spb350
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« Reply #14 on: November 27, 2013, 05:29:17 AM » |
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to take it in and have it gone over and have some maintenance done. Having never used the petcock other then to switch it to reserve once in a while is it more likely to be in good condition or bad condition?
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jeepman357
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« Reply #15 on: November 27, 2013, 12:07:58 PM » |
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Since you live in AZ, take your Valk to BigBF, he lives in northeast Phx and one heck of a Valk mechanic.
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Liberalism is a mental disorder.
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HayHauler
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« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2013, 05:47:05 PM » |
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+1 on BigBF (Bill). You can PM him here on the VRCC board. Hay  Jimmyt |
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spb350
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« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2013, 05:49:37 PM » |
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Thanks guys I appreciate the referral.
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Challenger
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« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2013, 07:30:45 AM » |
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Check the dragon drool tube and see if it is full of water, Not saying this has ever happened, but if rain water was cascading off the roof onto the bike, Could water have splashed off the neck and into the air cleaner?
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BigBF
Member
Posts: 814
Text message at 602-332-4872
Phx AZ
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« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2013, 08:01:42 PM » |
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Thanks guys I appreciate the referral.
Yes it is most likely the intake O-rings is bad! I have been replacing so many of intake O-rings lately.... You're so damn lucky gear did not damaged, I thought for sure it was damaged. I guess your battery is weak and not to force spun em.... Text message me if you want me to work on your bike.... |
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Chiefy
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« Reply #20 on: December 10, 2013, 05:50:20 AM » |
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Curious. Which cylinder had the water in it?
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 1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles |
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spb350
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« Reply #21 on: December 10, 2013, 07:43:21 AM » |
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Curious. Which cylinder had the water in it?
It was the middle one on the left. It sounds like the intake O rings need to be replaced. I did find the procedure for getting it done without removing the tank and it sounds like it takes about an hour? Thanks BigBF for the additional info. I wonder if they tend to dry out quicker here in AZ? |
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #22 on: December 10, 2013, 07:58:32 AM » |
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Curious. Which cylinder had the water in it?
It was the middle one on the left. It sounds like the intake O rings need to be replaced. I did find the procedure for getting it done without removing the tank and it sounds like it takes about an hour? Thanks BigBF for the additional info. I wonder if they tend to dry out quicker here in AZ? Yes, the tank does not have to come off. Replacing those rings is an easy quick job. |
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