Not starting - Fuel, electrical or poked?

[stevewederell]

Well I won't get into the long story as to why, suffice to say that my baby has been resting in the garage for last month.

I was slack and didn't bother to start her up every once and a while and therefore battery died. Read about 4.5V. No bother, charged up and happy again.

Battery back in and hit the go button and she does try to start, but doesn't kick over. I try for a little while and even have a wee run start with no luck. The battery starts to run out again and I fear if I carry on I'll poke something vital to her health.

Plug the battery in, read about 11V now. Charged up, now at 12.5.

So, what the hell is wrong with her? Should I drain the carbs? Oh, yes there is fuel BTW. Kick her, swear more?

I really need to get her to Hampton for the insurance check over - don't ask:no:

[tri boy]

Got carbs? Drain the fuel bowls. (fuel goes stale after about 4weeks) MHO

[stevewederell]

Cool, I'll try that - tomorrow

[stevewederell]

Carbs drained - started but then died, did the same when I drained them again. Cleaned plugs and started into life for maybe 5s max, then died.

Thinking maybe drain all the fuel and throw some new stuff in, any other ideas people??

[The Pastor]

Thats what i'd be doing mate, if that doesnt work, clean the carbs, also check the spark gap etc

[tychver]

Make sure to flush the entire system through when you re do it. Nothing worse than thinking you've eliminated fuel when your float bowl is still full of 6 month old fuel.

[stevewederell]

Remember the fuel is only a month old at worst...


Righto. Tank drained. Carbs drained. Go button, drained carbs another 2 times. No more fuel anywhere.

New fuel in, go button, life...then death. Argh!

Checked carbs and #1 has good amount, 2-3 a little, #4 zippo. Hmmm.

Pulled off fuel tube linky thing that goes to carb 3-4 and is full of fuel.

Should I pull off fuel line including two tubes that lead to carbs 1-2 AND 3-4?

Going to super' to buy beer. Any tips welcome:crybaby:

[JMemonic]

No one has pointed this out but a battery in even reasonable condition should not lose charge over a mere four weeks, unless there is some drain on the battery.

The fuel in the outer carb etc you could try open the drain on the bottom and the fuel tap on prime to fill the carb.

It it got put away running then it should still run excluding the flat battery, that being said the Duck recently had an issue with a flat battery and in the process of attempting to start fouled the plugs.

[Ixion]

You DO have the fuel tap set to 'prime' ? Yes ? If so, remove either the fuel lines , or, better, the fuel tap filter bowl (is it full of shit). Open the fuel cap, bend over and give the fuel tank a blow job. If petrol doesn't piss out, strip and clean fuel lines and tap. (I'm assuming , as you mention crabs, that you don't have a fuel pump.)

[stevewederell]

Hmmm, fuel set to reserve, but either way, fuel is still getting out of the tank, there is some vacuum thing from carbs that work that.

Plugs were fouled a little but I cleaned them all up shight and briney.

Might have to get a trailer and drive the fekker in, kinda over this shit. I'd be riding if that little punk on the 4WD ....Grrrr:bash:

[Mom]

give the fuel tank a blow job.

Well, I would not go as far as that but...

I was going to say check your plugs, but you have. If you are confident that you have fuel, good stuff, not old stuff, getting through then I would look to the electrics again. Batteries are well known for dying in the cold.

[elevenhundred]

If the battery is poked there may not be enough juice left to fire the plugs properly while cranking the starter.
Hook up a known good battery, car or bike and give it a go or charge up the existing battery and see if you can bump start it.

[NewRob]

Hi, had the same problem. Did what you did and all...clean the plugs, tested it to see if it has spark and it did but still won't start. Change new plugs and boom....started all good. Give it a try. cheers.

[stevewederell]

Cheers everyone. I hate changing the plugs, but that would be easier that trying to push her up a trailer.

The battery seems to hold the 12.5V charge, well until I try to start her up a few times. Will sort new plugs tomorrow, that's be another $50. Really missing :scooter: and can hardly wait to get back out there, I hate my cage, too many wheels!

[JMemonic]

Steve your battery should be at 13.8 volts, you need to check the voltage while cranking to see what it drops off to, unfortunately batteries don't last for ever.

[cruza]

Cheers everyone. I hate changing the plugs, but that would be easier that trying to push her up a trailer.

The battery seems to hold the 12.5V charge, well until I try to start her up a few times. Will sort new plugs tomorrow, that's be another $50. Really missing :scooter: and can hardly wait to get back out there, I hate my cage, too many wheels!

May still be the battery, could have a sick cell, sometimes they give false readings after being on the charger, then die under load.

[hayd3n]

can you try jumping it?
with some jumper leads of the car

[stevewederell]

Hmm, blond moment there for me perhaps. Just checked manual and it reads 13-13.2.

So new plugs and battery perhaps?

[JMemonic]

Could be, that's what I had to do. However it is possible the damage to the battery was caused in an accident that now requires the bike to go for repair ;)

[rosie631]

I'd go battery too. If my girl doesn't have a run at least once a week I notice it in the battery. Sat for 6 weeks waiting for a repair and that was enough to completely drain a new battery - to the point where it wouldn't take a charge.
Some bikes do not like to sit - even for a short time

[The Pastor]

try a roll start too, i find that always works for me :D

[stevewederell]

Fuck! Where's that beer?

New plugs, new fuel, battery charged to 13.3 (but it starts to drop 0.1 every 1-2s). all plugged in, nothing, well no change anyway. I may :crybaby:.

Maybe if i make sure all carbs are full, switch the fuel off and try to start her up a few times I'll see if the fuel is actually being sucked through?

Might have to call it quits, throw her on a trailer for a ride to the shop.

[JMemonic]

Got someone that can hold the meter on the batter while it is cranking?

If the volts drop down to below 10 then the battery is not up to it.

[stevewederell]

Got someone that can hold the meter on the batter while it is cranking?

If the volts drop down to below 10 then the battery is not up to it.

Ahhh, i can do that solo. I'll give it a crack

[stevewederell]

You little beauty!!! She's alive:woohoo:

Just went to test voltage on startup and she kicked over. Had battery on charge and read 14V just after taking it off but fell to 13.5. Lights on was 12V i think and when starting 10.5V.

But fuck, she goes, sooooo stoked. Going to go for ride tomorrow before going to shop. :wari:

Thanks to you all

[JMemonic]

Go back out to the shed and put the battery back on charge, just out of interest how old is the battery?

[stevewederell]

Really, will it be ok overnight? No idea of it's age at all

[JMemonic]

Yes it will be fine, mind you I must add a disclaimer here, your charger needs to be a basic type 4 amp output max (ie an arlec type or similar (http://www.arlec.com.au/display.php?pid=92)(16th down the page BC581)). There is a 2.5 amp version which in this case is better oddly more power is not always better.

Batteries are consumable and now days 18 months out of a lot automotive types is good, we are a little luckier with M/C types but still 5 years would be considered a limit (again a disclaimer there are some neat battery savers (http://www.roadguide.co.nz/products/168-battery_chargers.aspx) that if you keep them plugged in will last longer).

[stevewederell]

Yes it will be fine, mind you I must add a disclaimer here, your charger needs to be a basic type 4 amp output max (ie an arlec type or similar (http://www.arlec.com.au/display.php?pid=92)(16th down the page BC581)). There is a 2.5 amp version which in this case is better oddly more power is not always better.

Batteries are consumable and now days 18 months out of a lot automotive types is good, we are a little luckier with M/C types but still 5 years would be considered a limit (again a disclaimer there are some neat battery savers (http://www.roadguide.co.nz/products/168-battery_chargers.aspx) that if you keep them plugged in will last longer).

Tis the exact one I have. I'll throw her on before bed, then zoom zoom tomorrow, very exciting. It's been a full and long month

[p.dath]

Perhaps the battery is not holding the load while cranking, or has a dead cell. Perhaps try push starting the bike with the battery unplugged?