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Message started by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 00:17:14

Title: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 00:17:14

Is it possible to flood your bike while trying to start it?

I've never done it before,but I thought that's what I did today!

I actually smelled gas, looked down and saw gas coming out on the left side,somewhere,not sure exactly where it was coming from!
So I shut the bike off....I had tried to start it several times when I saw the gas.Seems like the gas was squirting out from somewhere.

This is new to me....can anyone give me any info on this.
I left it sitting,thought maybe if I left it alone it might be better,not sure though what to do.

Oh yeah,and I did searches here for quite some time and still am not sure what happened.

The only thing I had done to my bike prior to this, was to put in a new battery and clean the bike.I do remember cleaning the throttle grip and turning it some,but didnt think that would do anything.

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 00:43:00

I did try to see where the gas was coming from.....not sure.
I took out the air filter....it smells like gas ,but just a little.Not sure if thats totally abnormal or not!

I tried to empty the fuel bowl,(is that what its called)and couldnt get the darn screw out,rusted! Sprayed it with wd40 and hoping it will soak loose overnight.

Checked lines going to the carb...didnt see any loose!

I'm lost on this....as most people are that dont normally work on their bikes...but,I gotta try to fix it and save the money of someone else doing it....I'm also that determined to do it myself:)

I have tools and common sense,just havent learned enough yet,no problems like this til now.But I guess this is when you learn.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate it.

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by odvelasc on 06/10/09 at 04:24:09

Is your petcock (the fuel switch just under the left side of the tank) on PRI? If so, that will flood your bike. I am presuming that your gas is coming out the sides of your carb. That means you are over flowing with gas. Maybe check your float level. But for sure check the PRI thing. Also, check your oil level. Your oil should be between the two lines, if it is above your are flooding for sure and need to do an oil filter and oil change. Check the tech section. There is a link to the clymer service manual. Good luck.

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 09:39:58

The petcock is on "On"...not Pri. But I actually thought Pri might be better if flooded!? No?

I have a clymers manual.

Will check the oil today....would have already,but its kinda hard to do by yourself :)

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by PhilM on 06/10/09 at 12:02:12

I had the same problem. The fuel was coming from the two (vent?) hoses that go horizontally back from the carb under the seat. (Top tip is to make sure that when you position those hoses NEVER point them in a direction that would be a major problem if gas spurts out, ie into the air filter)

The problem on mine was a stuck valve in the carb. The floats in the carb bowl were not rising to shut off the float needle. (excuse terminology if wrong) Its happened twice now, both times after the bike had sat for a while.

I stripped the carb to fix it, but if it happened again I would disconnect the gas from the carb, drain the bowl. Then I'd squirt some gas from a squeezy bottle into the drain hole at max force and see if I could knock the floats free ;)

Re petcock - PRI lets gas drain via gravity into the carb, until the floats rise to stop the flow.

Other two positions rely on suction, so if motor isn't turning then gas supply is shut off at the petcock.

Leaving the petcock on PRI should not flood your bike, unless the floats aren't working.

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 12:54:30

I thought that's what I read somewhere,to set to Pri,to see if the floats were stuck &/or to check the petcock?

I'll have to go back and read it again.

I got the screw out and drained the fuel bowl.
Checked and No smell of gas in the oil.

Will continue to see if I can find whats going on.

My last day off work....I wanted to ride....now I'm trying to figure out whats wrong with it instead :(

Thanks for all help and suggestions!

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 13:18:09

Hey!! I got it started!

I set it to PRI for a couple of minutes,then set it back to ON waited a few minutes,tapped the carb lightly with a screwdriver and it started.No choke on.

But,I smell gas :-? Stronger than normal.

Didnt see any leaks like before,felt around and only gas I saw was a drop or two from the carb bowl tip.I tightened it a tad more.

I wouldnt worry about it really,except I ride alone and if I broke down the only MC buddy I have works 2nd shift.

Any reason why I would be smelling gas so strong? Could it be just because of setting to PRI? Too much gas?

Oh well,at least its running!!

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by odvelasc on 06/10/09 at 19:15:48

192D3A3A0C2F362D362B5F0 wrote:

Might be time for a new float bowl gasket. I forgot to put mine back in once and I was pissing gas out the carb where it connects to the bowl lol.

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/10/09 at 19:56:56

32392B38313C2E3E5D0 wrote:

[quote author=192D3A3A0C2F362D362B5F0 link=1244618234/0#6 date=1244665089]Hey!! I got it started!

I set it to PRI for a couple of minutes,then set it back to ON waited a few minutes,tapped the carb lightly with a screwdriver and it started.No choke on.

But,I smell gas :-? Stronger than normal.

Didnt see any leaks like before,felt around and only gas I saw was a drop or two from the carb bowl tip.I tightened it a tad more.

I wouldnt worry about it really,except I ride alone and if I broke down the only MC buddy I have works 2nd shift.

Any reason why I would be smelling gas so strong? Could it be just because of setting to PRI? Too much gas?

Oh well,at least its running!!

Might be time for a new float bowl gasket. I forgot to put mine back in once and I was pissing gas out the carb where it connects to the bowl lol.[/quote]

I rode for about 45 min locally, didnt smell gas any more! But I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by T Mack 1 on 06/12/09 at 19:40:07

Roll the bike out into the sunlight???

If so, the sun will warm up the tank, the gas will expand and vent out the fuel cap.

My bike is black. Happens all the time. It even hisses at me when I move the bike around after it sat in the sun for a while....... I guess it wants to be ridden..... ;)

Title: Re: Flooded Bike
Post by FreeSpirit on 06/15/09 at 01:55:27

0A73133F3D356F5E0 wrote:

Yes...it definitely wants to be ridden!! And for me to learn all these tips.

I'm glad You guys are so smart.I can search so much info here and find alot of/most answers. It is alot of fun! (Especially when you can find the right answers and keep your bike running! :)