Fuel, flooding and the likes...

**KiwiPhoenix** · 9th December 2009, 11:52

So I go out this morning to start the bike, she has been in the garage since Sat. Get it out of the garage and start my usual routine of starting her, she doesn't want to start and the more I keep trying the more stubborn she gets. I spoke to a mechanic friend and he told me that it may well be flooded, so what do I do now??

How can I avoid this happening in the future??

I know by riding the bike every day would probably the best way to avoid this but not always an option having a 2 yo daughter!!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

**kwaka_crasher** · 9th December 2009, 13:39

The only way you can really prevent it is stop using so much choke. 'Flooded' doesn't literally mean full of fuel - just too high a concentration to ignite.

Once you've flooded it, winding it over with the throttle wide open & choke off will help dry it so you can have another go. As will leaving it alone for 15 mins.

It's mostly about learning what cold start settings are best for your particular bike under the prevalent conditions. Some people pike out and go injected so they don't have to learn anything as the cold start enrichment is done automatically, although they will often have a manual fast idle lever.

**Shadows** · 9th December 2009, 22:55

Do you leave your fuel tap turned on?

Try turning it off when you put the bike to bed, and make turning it on part of your start up ritual.

It may just solve your problem.

**KiwiPhoenix** · 10th December 2009, 08:37

No I always turn it off. What did happen though was when I turned the fuel tap on some fuel leaked out the vent hose thing. So not sure if it was already flooded before starting it.

Not starting again this morning so will leave it till after the weekend (have the KB Rally) besides the weather is crap today!

**gatch** · 10th December 2009, 20:43

Not really related but kind of, maybe..

Once trying to start the spada after work, very cold night, choke on full, alternating throttle on, off, tried crash starting, nothing, noticed battery was starting to fade..

Ohhhhh the kill switch..

Thumb the starter.. BOOM !

Nice big flame out in the darkness, damn near shit myself..

**KiwiPhoenix** · 11th December 2009, 13:21

Originally Posted by gatch

Not really related but kind of, maybe..

Once trying to start the spada after work, very cold night, choke on full, alternating throttle on, off, tried crash starting, nothing, noticed battery was starting to fade..

Ohhhhh the kill switch..

Thumb the starter.. BOOM !

Nice big flame out in the darkness, damn near shit myself..

I know I shouldn't laugh but OMG!!! I can just imagine it!!

Thankfully after jump starting the bike, it ran but not great. Had to have full choke and everytime I went to no choke, it would splutter and stall! So today I jumped on and only needed half choke, so probably still alittle damp in there!

Will check it again on Monday, I have a rally to go to!!

**gatch** · 13th December 2009, 22:24

Originally Posted by KiwiPhoenix

I know I shouldn't laugh but OMG!!! I can just imagine it!!

Thankfully after jump starting the bike, it ran but not great. Had to have full choke and everytime I went to no choke, it would splutter and stall! So today I jumped on and only needed half choke, so probably still alittle damp in there!

Will check it again on Monday, I have a rally to go to!!

Is your air filter dirty ?