Starter clunk

[KenC661]

I went out to go for a ride on a nice day, and all I got was a clunk from the starter. The bike's been sitting for about three weeks since the last road trip. It was working perfectly when I parked it.

All the lights do what they're supposed to do when I hit the starter button. The starter switch assembly and the wiring into the headlight case were replaced about six months ago to fix that recurring starter switch problem that we're all so familiar with.

I've rocked the bike back and forth several times. After one rocking the starter turned over about a half turn before giving me the same clunk again. I also tried a jump start off my truck (not running), and I still just got the clunk.

I've checked the starter fuse and the main fuse. The starter solenoid appears to be OK, but appearances on electronics can be wrong.

Any of you knowledgeable folk know what's wrong with my baby?

Thanks,

Ken C.

[lucky_1_chris]

I went out to go for a ride on a nice day, and all I got was a clunk from the starter. The bike's been sitting for about three weeks since the last road trip. It was working perfectly when I parked it.

All the lights do what they're supposed to do when I hit the starter button. The starter switch assembly and the wiring into the headlight case were replaced about six months ago to fix that recurring starter switch problem that we're all so familiar with.

I've rocked the bike back and forth several times. After one rocking the starter turned over about a half turn before giving me the same clunk again. I also tried a jump start off my truck (not running), and I still just got the clunk.

I've checked the starter fuse and the main fuse. The starter solenoid appears to be OK, but appearances on electronics can be wrong.

Any of you knowledgeable folk know what's wrong with my baby?

Thanks,

Ken C.

Please stop trying to start it! Sounds like a hydrolock... Was the fuel left on while it sat? Pull the plugs and try to turn it over again. Keep the plug boots away from the holes while doing this or you may start a fire... Hope nothing was damaged. Good luck.

[DFragn]

You can put it in 5th {easiest} gear and roll it either direction one-way. For about 8-10 feet.
If you can't count to 6 piston revolutions your holding fuel in however many your short of 6.

If you can't hit 6 it's time to pull the plugs, as mentioned, and check for hydroloc.

It could be the starter only, but that would be rare.

And, even though you jumped it, the problem could still easily be your battery.

[R J]

I'll put my money on the nag in the 5th race.

Her name is Hydro lock.

Stay off the firkin starter button.

Pull all 6 plugs.

Try the button again, word of caution, STAND back or forward of the holes when ya hit the starter.    You might get a face full of gas.

One it is blown out without the clunk, you can put it back together again.

Then get a petcock repair kit or a Pingle petcock.

I went with the Pingle and a electric solenoid to regulate flow of gas, like on and off.

[Michvalk]

I'll put my money on the nag in the 5th race.

Her name is Hydro lock.

Stay off the firkin starter button.

Pull all 6 plugs.

Try the button again, word of caution, STAND back or forward of the holes when ya hit the starter.    You might get a face full of gas.

One it is blown out without the clunk, you can put it back together again.

Then get a petcock repair kit or a Pingle petcock.

I went with the Pingle and a electric solenoid to regulate flow of gas, like on and off.

+++++10

[Thunderbolt]

I wouldn't try to start it again until you pull the plugs and make sure there is no gas in the cylinders

[KenC661]

Looks like it's pretty much unanimous on the hydrolock. I'll get out there tomorrow and see.

I appreciate the input and the usual vast knowledge from you guys.

Thanks.

Pray for no damage for me.

[Ricky-D]

Sitting like that (in that condition) for any period of time would necessitate an oil change also.

Don't forget that!

***

[Patrick]

When you press that little button and you hear that 'clank',, do not do it again.. Don't push the bike either, pull all the sparklers and then hit the little button or push the bike while in gear.. Fuel should shoot out of a cylinder for 20 ft.. When starting, Just tap the starter button.. If the battery was a bit low, maybe no damage was done.. If the battery was up and the button nailed more than once, your wallet will probably be a lot thinner when this is fixed unless you're very lucky..

[KenC661]

Thanks to all.

It was indeed a hydrolock. I removed all the plugs and hit the starter button. Gas spit all the way across the driveway and hit about five feet up the wall of the house. Middle cylinder on the left side had the lock. No damage, thank God. It started up with no problem and ran like it did when it was new back in 1998. I added Sea Foam and filed it with gas to the top of the tank then went for a 10 mile ride to get the stuff into every part.. I'll use a little seafoam on every fillup from now on.

Left it with the petcock turned off and ordered a new OEM petcock. The old OEM lasted me more than 13 years without a problem, and I never turned it off execpt to remove the tank when I changed to air filter.

I feel like I dodged an expensive bullet here.

Thanks for the expert advice. God bless you.

[Disco]

Good for you, Ken!  Bullet dodged.  BUT, please realize that you have more than a failed petcock diaphragm at work here.  You have a carburetor problem, too.  

FYI, you may not need an entire new petcock ($148.04 msrp).  You may only need a Cover Set (part 5 @ $37.55 msrp) and Screen Set (part 4 @ $16.15 msrp).  



Here's the link to the Fuel Tank fiche at hdlparts.com.  http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=148229&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=2000&fveh=3468

(edited to add the "s" to hdlpart.com above)

[stude31]

I would say to check your float on your carb as well.  Correct me if I am wrong but you have to have two failures occur at the same time.  Bad petcock and a stuck float/needle to have fuel dump into the cylinder?

Also if your diaphragm is good on the petcock it could be on the switch side where the ball is that switches fuel distribution from on/reserve/off and those o-rings could be bad.  Personally I would stay w/ the petcock and not change out to the pingel (to each his own), if you leave the pingel to "on" after the bike is shut off and you have a bad float or needle you still could wind up w/ a hydro lock.

And...  I am in the process of putting a motor back together after a shop failed to completely repair a bike that had a hydro lock.  They failed to replace a starter cog wheel.  Here's a few pictures.  By the way dropping a motor really isn't that hard



See the tooth missing:





For giggles we called the local honda shop and they quoted me a price just on labor was 800+.  I think I have about 5hrs so far

[Hoser]

I'll eat my hat if anybody in the Toepicker Honda shop can do that job correctly, for any amount of money.  Sad but true.  Hoser