2002 Valk running issue

[POPSK41]

Hello all.
I have a 2002 and it seems only 1-3-5 are igniting and 2-4-6 are not doing this.
When in idle the 1-3-5 wires were pulled one at a time and the motor went in convulsions though slightly, however when 2-4-6 were pulled one at a time...nothing happened.
Is this normal or do I need to delve into it further?
it is running really poorly and it is getting to the point of a BIG explosion is goin to happen 
Thanks in advance

[Bighead]

Sorry but it will not run on 3 cylinders. 

[salty1]

You need to expand your search. Could you describe how the bike runs with all the plugs wires in place? You might have carb issues.

[Chrisj CMA]

Are you running out of gas?

[Ricky-D]

To me, I would think your engine needs a carburetor synchronization.

***

[Attic Rat]

change the spark plugs they may be fuel fouled or switch them to the other side and re test. I have seen this several times. This new fuel can fuel foul plugs.

[POPSK41]

New premium fuel 3 gallons after the tank was emptied and cleaned as best as possible.
Air filter is clean with good air flow
plugs not that old but will replace if needed.
Oil level is correct as is the coolant level.
How to check if 2-4-6 are getting electricity to fire plugs other than ground plug as this was tried and no spark seen.

Thank you again

[Gryphon Rider]

Have you recently played with wiring and possibly disconnected a wire from a coil?

[Pappy!]

A bit time consuming but if you have a spare spark plug of any kind you can disconnect the plug wire from one of the non-running cylinders and insert the spare plug onto the plug wire. Do not pull the original plug out of the cylinder.
With the spare plug laying on the cylinder head start the bike and observe the spare plug for a spark.
Do this on all three non running cylinders.
You can also hook up an inductive timing light to any of the plug wires and observe spark.

Am betting you have carb issues since you mentioned cleaning the tank and adding fresh fuel. If the old fuel was bad (your nose would tell you) then you probably have gunked up carbs.

[Ricky-D]

If the engine will run, look for a problem elsewhere than the ignition. You cannot run the engine

with the spark from cylinders #2, #4, & #6 being dead. #2 spark plug also fires #1 spark plug

at the same time. Likewise for #3 & #4 at the same time and for #5 & #6 also. I'm surprised that no one has already

mentioned this fact!

***

[salty1]

If the engine will run, look for a problem elsewhere than the ignition. You cannot run the engine

with the spark from cylinders #2, #4, & #6 being dead. #2 spark plug also fires #1 spark plug

at the same time. Likewise for #3 & #4 at the same time and for #5 & #6 also. I'm surprised that no one has already

mentioned this fact!

***

Good call! 

[Pappy!]

If the engine will run, look for a problem elsewhere than the ignition. You cannot run the engine

with the spark from cylinders #2, #4, & #6 being dead. #2 spark plug also fires #1 spark plug

at the same time. Likewise for #3 & #4 at the same time and for #5 & #6 also. I'm surprised that no one has already

mentioned this fact!

***

That is why he was given the option and a "how-to" of checking it.

[Patrick]

So why was the tank removed ? What was the running condition prior to that ? What else was done ?

Swap sparklers from right side to left and start it up and see what happens.  These monsters use a waste spark system, so, #1 coil fires the front 2 cylinders, #2 coil fires the middle cylinders, and so on.

Open the drains on the mis-firing cylinders to see if they are getting fuel and let us know what you come up with.

Also make sure the vent line is not kinked since the tank has just been installed.

[pago cruiser]

A couple things I've been thru on this topic.

My Valk sat for a bit,  (several months) while building the hack rig.  Every few weeks I would start it and bring to temp, and it slowly just started running like crap.  First number 5, then #3 pipes were slow to warm up, then stayed cold.  F'ing ethanol.   Time to rebuild the carbs.

When you emptied your tank, did you TRULY empty it?  When I rebuilt my carbs a couple weeks ago, I emptied the tank by removing the filler cap, and holdingshaking/turning while it was upside down.  There was still a little fuel in it, but (at the time) I did not know how bad it was.  Later when I emptied the fuel from a oil drain pan into 1 gallon jugs for disposal, it was incredible how much milky white cr@p was in there. 

SH!T.  Pulled the tank back off the bike, and this time I inverted it, and removed the petcock for draining.    Pulled another about 3 oz of white milky stuff.  This time I then let the tank air dry, then rinsed with clean (new) gasoline.  If you did not do this last step, you may have just re-contaminated your system.

Re: testing for spark.  Be very cautious that your running rough is not being caused from a stuck float by crap in the fuel.  On the GL1200 and the Valk, the vent just spills onto the top of the engine cases; allowing stuck float to pool fuel there in casing depressions.  Dealing with a rough running  GL1200 a few years ago (later traced to EMGO filter glue breaking down due to ethanol eating it), I pulled the plug, put the cap on, and hit the starter with the electrode grounded to the engine case. 

I was rewarded with a spark.  And then ignition.  OF THE POOL OF GAS ON THE CASES.  Not a big fire, but big enough to get my attention.
Grabbed a rag to snuff it out.  Which happened to be the rag I had used to clean up with after changing the oil; and then cleaning the oil pan with gasoline.  The rag ignited a lot faster than I had planned.  
Pulled the rag out from the cases and tried to snuff it out on my levis. Another bad idea, after working all weekend and wiping oily hands on my pants.  Lit my frickin pants on fire!  Again, not a big fire, but it got my attention.

Now I have 3 things on fire within about 10 seconds.  I'm thinking DAM, this is like an episode on that quirky show a few years ago called Dead Like Me.  When your number is up, Gravelings show up and make things happen to ensure you get to your destination...

But I got a mulligan; a handful of sand on the pants, throw the rag down the driveway (away from the car and the weeds), and a few more handfuls of sand on the cases put the fire out. In case anyone needs to know, that cool paint that is sold for carbs burns very nicely.  But I digress...

Funniest part is that when the last fire was out, wifey stuck her head out the door.  "Are you ok?  I heard yelling."  There is an acrid smell of burnt wiring and hose in the air; thankfully, no skin.  "Did you have a fire?"  Well, just a little one; everything's ok.  Could you get me a beer?     

Be careful testing for spark.  And I'd suggest a fire extinguisher in the garage...       

[Jess from VA]

 

Would have made a great Utube.

[POPSK41]

thank you all for ideas, I just may video and youtube it...

will do and get back with results...WML 

[POPSK41]

OK so I removed the carbs and disassembled, found one side was bad.
soaked the jets and checked slides and is not Perty much clean.
Reassembled and put back on the ride...
Problem is there are Vacuum lines coming off carbs tubes and the destination is unknown.
Any help is appreciated...
Lines are...
On the #4 carb a tube with a #10
On the #3 carb a tube with a #3
On the PAIR is a #10 with #4 off the tee
The #3 - #4 - #10 need to hook up to_____
Thank you..

[dragonslayer]

Now is a great time to do a desmog and get rid of all those hoses except the one that goes to the petcock.Easy to do and cuts down the chances of air leaks from defective hoses.I did mine with simple stuff I had but we have a vendor that sells a whole kit to do the job.I'm sure someone on here can give you the address.

[POPSK41]

 
Feeling silly right now...
They are port designations except for the #10
I had 4 and 6 ports crossed...
# 3 - $4 go to the PAIR valve and the #10 on # 6 port goes to the fuel tank I am thinking...
Y'all have a great weekend...