MOTOR HYDRO LOCKS ON COLD CRANK

[VANNMAN1]

I have a 1998 standard valkyrie and sometimes when I go to crank it ,the motor locks and then wont turn over,so I put it in 5 gear and roll the blke back and forth and then it will start up,and as it does a puddle of raw fuel will come out of the small pee hole on the left side bottom middle of the muffler....it doesnt lock up every time but will still leak the gas out on several starts cold only ,I have turned the fuel off after a ride and will still do it on the next cold start.....HAS ANYONE HAD THIS CONCERN ,OR HAVE OPINIONS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ...........thanks,kenny

[hubcapsc]

 * OR HAVE OPINIONS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

Don't mash the starter button anymore until you get it fixed!!!!

It's probably just your petcock needs rebuilt, unless somethings gotten goobered up where your starter
connects to your motor from all the hydrolocks, then it is a full engine teardown...

The ringgear needs replaced in my 1952 tractor... you don't want your Valkyrie to be like my tractor! 

-Mike

[Wayne S]

Vannman1, it sounds like you are experiencing a classic hydro lock.  Unfortunately, it is caused by two conditions, 1) a leaking vacuum diaphram in the petcock, and 2) trash under a needle valve in a carb.

Replace the vacuum diaphram in the petcock. 

Isolate which carb that's sticking open by pulling the spark plugs and looking for raw fuel.  Take the float bowl off that carb and clean out under the float needle valve.

[fast black]

If it were me I would fix cause of hydrolck before I would ever try to start bike again.  Like others have said bad petcock and,or dirty carb.
I would get it fixed asap.
imho
fast black

[BigMac (SoCal)]

I always turn off my petcock when parked. I have also rebuilt my petcock. Easy to do and only about $25.00.

Dave

[Patrick]

This is just my opinion,,so,, it ain't worth much.. Fix the problem.. Install a Pingle, add a fuel filter,  shut the fuel off every time and just tap the starter button until you're sure there is no fuel-lock.. Looking for the offending cylinder is suggested and then cleaning that float needle is a good thing to do.. Damaging the starter drive becomes a very expensive and time consuming operation..

[Madmike]

You have two choices:
1) fix it now while you have been lucky
2) fix it later for way more cost

Listen to the advice you have been offered.

[Gunslinger]

FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE YOU HAVE TO REBUILD THE MOTOR!!!!

That being said, I feel the need to offer input on the pingle .vs petcock argument.

If I rebuild my petcock every 3-6 years whether is needs it or not, I will PROBABLY never hydrolock.

If I install a pingle and forget to shut off the fuel just once I am almost GUARANTEED to hydrolock.

[hubcapsc]

Vannman1, it sounds like you are experiencing a classic hydro lock.  Unfortunately, it is caused by two conditions, 1) a leaking vacuum diaphram in the petcock, and 2) trash under a needle valve in a carb.

Replace the vacuum diaphram in the petcock. 

Isolate which carb that's sticking open by pulling the spark plugs and looking for raw fuel.  Take the float bowl off that carb and clean out under the float needle valve.

If #6 spark plug is really fouled, the petcock is probably the only problem... if the petcock needs a
rebuild and the petcock drain is clogged somehow, fuel will just flow the vacuum tube to number six
and fill it up... there's a lot of stuff that could cause the petcock drain to clog 



-Mike

[scoobydoo]

Mine was doing the same thing, need to listen to what everyone is saying. I rebuilt my petcock & ran a can of sea-foam with a fill-up  Haven't had any more problems. That sea-foam stuff really seems to work. Scobby