Info requested. Fuel spilling from pipes when cranked

[antvalentin]

Well everyone, I have a sick dog on my hands here! I went to crank my bike over today and it would not crank. I did not even get one crank out of her. Almost as if my battery was dead (and it very well may be). One click and thats it! But whats most concerning is that after the "click" a pretty heafty amount of fuel came running out of my pipes.

I will check my battery to ensure a full charge and probably drain my case (and possibly my oil) but has anyone ever had that happen before? What could cause such a thing? I twisted my throttle to see if it was stuck open and it didnt seem stuck.

I went on a 200 mile ride last Sunday and my dog has been resting since then...

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[DRBarnhart]

A stuck needle valve (float) in the carb could cause this especially if you didn't turn the gas off after the last time you rode...

Dennis

 

[antvalentin]

Thanks DR - Besides shutting off the fuel, what can be done to prevent this from happening again?

 

[jaggerz]

If you have a lift to get the rear wheel off the ground, remove the spark plugs and put the bike in 5th gear and rotate the rear wheel by hand. This should clear out the cylinders if the engine is hydrolocked with fuel. Rotate the engine over several times. I would not do it using the starter- possible fire hazard from spark plugs. At least this will tell you if the cylinders are full of fuel. I have heard of the floats sticking as DRBarnhart replied.

 

[antvalentin]

If you have a lift to get the rear wheel off the ground, remove the spark plugs and put the bike in 5th gear and rotate the rear wheel by hand. This should clear out the cylinders if the engine is hydrolocked with fuel. Rotate the engine over several times. I would not do it using the starter- possible fire hazard from spark plugs. At least this will tell you if the cylinders are full of fuel. I have heard of the floats sticking as DRBarnhart replied.

Thanks Jag

By doing that, the fuel will be expelled out of the exhaust? Should I not drain the case then? I would suspect that the oil is now diluted with fuel.

I looked at the case drain bolt and it's not a common allen or hex bolt. it's one of those star bolts and that's pissin me off. Dammit! why didnt I shut of the freakin fuel???

 

[V]

I would drain it

 

[antvalentin]

Fellas - This is why this site is invaluable to members like myself. I did as all of you have suggested (and also drained the case) and ended up recovering over a gallon of fuel from the cylinders and case.

I pulled the plugs, cleaned them up a bit, popped them back in and she fired right up. A little smoke from the oil burn-off that was in the pipes from the fuel that was expelled from them earlier but she is back in action!

Thanks for all of your help! I owe you guys one!

 

[Brew]

Just remember to cycle that fuel petcock to off sometimes, it'll also prevent the seals from drying out. Glad your up and running again...:2thumbs:

 

[antvalentin]

you got it!

 

[jaggerz]

Glad to hear your up and running again. I shut my fuel off after every ride(but I too have forgotten). You may want to consider an engine oil change if you havn't already done it due to fuel contamination and also maybe a new float needle in the carb. I'm sure Bob at Triple x carburetors in Texas could help. Be safe.

 

[antvalentin]

yeah - oil change is tomorrow. not sure how to change the float needle. hell, i dont even know where that is..

 

[chacha]

Check out instruction 51-1012 page 24 on this link;

S&S Cycle | Carburetor & Air Cleaner Kits

parts 36 and 30 on the exploded diagram are likely the issue. Good luck!

 

[DRBarnhart]

The needle valve I'm talking about is in the carb...

You'll have to take off the float bowl to get to it. But, if the bike runs good (not rich and coughing) after you do the oil change you may not need to do anything right now. My thinking is if they were super reliable there would be no reason to have a shut off valve on the gas tank but there is... so what does that tell you? The needle has been known to stick on occasion but I would open it up sometime in the near future just to check it out. Afterall, you know if were to happen again it'll be at the most inopportune time!!!

Check out chacha's link for the whole enchilada!

Dennis