Please help!!

I got caught in a torrential downpore a few days ago and had to have the bike recovered after it wouldnt start again, the engine would turn over but it wouldnt fire up which eventually led to a flat battery! The recovery driver stated that it could be water in the petrol, so got home and drained the carbs which had water in, drained the tank completely, gave the carbs a clean with some carb cleaner, fitted new sparks (needed changing anyway), cleaned the air filter and poured in some fresh petrol. Now when i try to start her she seems to be trying to cought into life but still isnt starting up completely

What else could be wrong or have i missed something out of the draining procedure?
Any suggestions welcome as i really would like to go on the mayday run on monday

Cheers

Wes

[21QUEST]

Sounds like you have a problem with 'wetness'

Link below should start you off.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...ont+spark+plug


Ben

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

Sounds like you have a problem with 'wetness'

But he's changes the plugs and completely drained everything so sounds different.

Cheers for the posts guys, spent all weekend on it and still nothing so ill be taking the carbs apart for a better look, probably water in the jets or something. If i still get nothing ill be picking your brains some more lol.
Thanks again

[rictus01]

I'm supposing you've checked spark already ?
and you say you drained the carbs (but didn't remove the bowls) is that right ?

strange that heavy rain would get enough water in the tank to cause a problem, how much did you get out when you drained it ?

and did you flush the tank or just re-fill ?

is this the first time you've had it in heavy rain ? or has this happened before?

anything else happened to the bike recently ?

Check the front plug drain and also the tank drain (could be corroded inside the tank).

Just a few things to check.

Cheers Mark.

Thanks for the tips mark, and now for the answers....
1. Ive checked the sparks on the cylinder heads so i no there sparking, i didnt remove the bowls but will be doin that this weekend when i take the sparks off.
2. I dont know exactly how much water drained out of the carbs as it was quite inaccesable and i used a towel to soak it up but it was definatly water and id say about half a shot glass full.
3. I drained the tank and refilled with petrol, didnt flush.
4. Ive had it in heavy rain before and its always seemed to be fine apart from the odd misfire.
5. As far as things happening recently its been very reliable for the whole 2 years ive owned the bike apart from when it came back from aye-gee`s a few weeks ago. There wasnt anything drastically wrong but it just didnt feel right and backfired more than usual.
6. I will check the plug and tank drain this weekend along with a list of other things ive got to check.

Thanks for the helpful hints

[rictus01]

Hi Wes,

OK, suggested course, clean the float bowls and blow threw the jets, reassemble the carbs, try starting the bike from a remote fuel source (an old washing up bottle with known good petrol in it, works well here), this should prove that it's working fine.

allow the tank to sit level and settle for a while, run some petrol out into a clear bottle or glass jar (don't forget to provide a vacuum for the tap) without moving the tank, you should clearly see if the petrol is still contaminated or not, if it isn't refit the tank and all's well, however if it is then drain the tank and remove the tap, flush out as much as you can with a little petrol, insert a straightened coat hanger (the wire one's) or other stiff wire into the drain hole by the tank filler cap, (you should be able to feel if it is broken internally) and ake sure the drain tube coming out the bottom isn't blocked.

If you find this tube is broken then it should be a replacement needed, but it have repaired a few, so give me a shout, you're not a million miles away so I'll see about popping over.

Cheers Mark.

Have you tried blasting a bit of starter fluid in the carbs or air filter? May be if you can get it running for a while it'll clear any accumulated cr@p or non-flammable liquids. The advice above all looks good but starter fluid is always a good quick thing to try.

[yorkie_chris]

A squirt of petrol down the intake should let it fire once or twice, this will at least prove the ignition works.

But, clean the carbs out, that's most likely.

or it could be the ignition system? if its trying to start and not firering then u have a igniton problem. dry out all the spark plugs and make sure u get them off the cole box and blast it with some air or let them dry out for a bit.