Another hydro lock issue

[Mildew]

Yep, I known about it had it happen before and did it again.  I bought another Valkyrie last week and parked my old one. I turned my old petcock into a manual one about 7 years ago. I had no problems with it since. I took my new bike to Gatlinburg this weekend thinking it's running fine and I'm gonna fix it soon. I had a couple instances where the starter froze and just clicked. It did it again last night. I kept cranking on the button trying to free it up. Ran the battery dead then tried to push start it. The motor wouldn't budge. I knew then wtf. I had no sparkplug socket neither did anyone else. A little later I pushed the bike again and it rolled easy. I checked the oil and it was way over full. I got it running and rode it 3 hours home in the rain with nothing but shorts and a T shirt. I paid for a motel room but I'm glad I left. My whole house smells like gas. I haven't been down to check it out yet

[salty1]

Sounds like you've been there before.     Good luck and  let us know what,  if anything,  happened to the motor.

[Gryphon Rider]

Please drain the oil and refill with new before you even think of starting the bike again.

[Mildew]

Please drain the oil and refill with new before you even think of starting the bike again.

. thanks. I didn't have many options last night. Do you think any damage was done already.  I'm guessing I road it with a half a quart of gas last night. It was back down to the full mark this morning with gas all over my garage floor. I'm switching petcocks right now. Then headed for some fresh oil

[Gryphon Rider]

Do you think any damage was done already.  I'm guessing I road it with a half a quart of gas last night.

I hope the oil wasn't diluted too much.  I don't know of a formula that says X much gas in Y much oil for Z many miles equals W miles wear of regular riding.  I suppose compression tests before and after the incident would tell the tale.

[John Schmidt]

Did you happen to look under the battery cover for the tool pouch that comes with the Valkyrie? It has a plug socket in it!  And in the future, keep in mind that going to a local auto parts store to buy a plug wrench is a lot cheaper than possibly having to replace/repair the engine.

And....if you've known about hydro-lock from the past, why in heaven's name would you keep hitting the starter button to "free it up?" That practice is the very thing that causes all the damage with a hydro-lock.  ???  Glad you made it home ok, even if you were riding in nothing but shorts/t-shirt.   As suggested, replace the oil/filter before starting it again, run for 100 miles or LESS....then change both again.

[Mildew]

It was a bone head move. I thought I just had a starter button issue because I've had it before and figured what's the odds on the hydro thing after a week from a new ride. Although it hasn't been ridden much with 30,000 miles since 1999.  Things are moving right along now.

[SpidyJ]

It was a bone head move. I thought I just had a starter button issue because I've had it before and figured what's the odds on the hydro thing after a week from a new ride. Although it hasn't been ridden much with 30,000 miles since 1999.  Things are moving right along now.

Sounds like you may have really lucked out!
I read your post just because of your handle.......Mildew!  Haw!   

Who gave you that moniker? 

[Patrick]

You didn't hear the 'CLANK' ?

If the starter turns the engine over without any skips/hitches or hiccups and the engine runs properly, I wouldn't worry about it now. Except for the oil change of course.

[Willow]

Sounds like you didn't fix the problem before.

You do realize the petcock is not the issue?  A malfunctioning petcock will help manifest the results of the problem, but the problem is a stuck float (or floats) in the carb.

[Mildew]

I guess my next question will be. How do you fix a stuck float without digging into the carbs and creating a bigger problem

[Willow]

It probably will take digging into the carbs.  If you're convinced that will create a bigger problem it would be best to get someone with experience to help you out.

Poor fuel filtering can contribute to the issue but not always.

[Ricky-D]

You do not have to start by "digging into the carbs".

Ascertain exactly which carburetor is causing the problem.

Fix the offending carburetor on the bike.

***

[Mildew]

The bike sat for a long time. Only 30,000 since 1999.

[John Schmidt]

Try this before messing with the carbs. Get a catch pan and place it under the carb drain tube that exits under the bike....should be on the right side with a couple other hoses. Using a Mity Vac and one of the adapters, attach the Mity Vac hose to the drain under the bike. Pump up the MV so it shows a few lbs. of vacuum, then open the drain screw on the side of ONE carb.  The "turmoil" created by the extreme vacuum causes the junk in the bowl to come loose and flow out through the drain. You'll see how much is in there when it does. Close that drain screw and do the same thing to each of the carbs, one carb at a time. You'll be surprised at what comes out if they're not clean. The catch pan is just to make sure nothing is dribbled all over the floor in case your attachment isn't tight.

[Patrick]

I guess my next question will be. How do you fix a stuck float without digging into the carbs and creating a bigger problem

John got here first. What he said. Just keep flushing fuel through them. I'm a believer in in-line filters.

[Mildew]

Priciate the tips. I'll give it a try after work.

[Patrick]

If disassembly of a carburetor is required, I prefer to find the one giving the problems and just fix it while still on the bike.

[Mildew]

I fiddled around with lawnmower carbs before and was successful. Messed with v65 magna carbs before and was unsuccessful. Is there a quick diy guide to unstick a float? I have the mityvac in my hands at the present moment. Headed home to give it a try.

[Ricky-D]

I fiddled around with lawnmower carbs before and was successful. Messed with v65 magna carbs before and was unsuccessful.

Is there a quick diy guide to unstick a float?[/quote][/b] I have the mityvac in my hands at the present moment. Headed home to give it a try.

Tap the carburetor with a wooden handle.

***

[Mildew]

Now we are talking on my level.  took a nap. Fixin to see what kind of mess I can make. I'm 80% sure it's the left carb in the middle #5??

[John Schmidt]

Now we are talking on my level.  took a nap. Fixin to see what kind of mess I can make. I'm 80% sure it's the left carb in the middle #5??

If you're standing in front and facing the bike, no....that's #3. If seated on the bike, the middle carb on the left is #4.

So, when seated, front to back; right side=1, 3, 5. Left side=2, 4, 6.

[Mildew]

Thanks. I'm not getting much pressure on the mityvac. Still trying

[Mildew]

Not getting any pressure.

[Patrick]

Are you trying to pull the vacuum on the carburetor drain or the petcock ?

If you just pull vacuum on the petcock to keep it open, open the carb drain screw and let it flush for awhile. It may have to be done several times.

But you should be to pull vacuum on the carb drain too.

[Mildew]

Was trying the carburetor drain. It wasn't getting a pound of pressure. I'll try again tomorrow.

[Patrick]

Was trying the carburetor drain. It wasn't getting a pound of pressure. I'll try again tomorrow.

You won't get pressure. All you want is fuel flowing thru the carburetor in an attempt to flush the crud [ technical term] from the valve and clear out the chamber.