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Post by davecatleugh on Jun 17, 2014 18:48:26 GMT
After storing my bike in the garage for the winter (and running her for about 10-15 mins a week, with no problems), I got her taxed and tested about a week ago, then took her for a ride. On the way home she started running a little rough, but nothing drastic. Took her back out again a couple of days after and she was a bit worse, but decided to take her for a spin anyway to see how it went. Started running more badly all the time, although keeping the revs up, and giving her some choke made it a little better at first. After about 2 miles, she finally died. Managed to get make her fire up for a few second a couple of times, and then nothing. All I have done so far is check that fuel is getting from the tank, and through the filter with engine running, and check I was getting a decent spark. I'm thinking carb problems (but would all 4 have died at the same time?), or faulty fuel pump (its the vaccuum type, and I don't have clue how to check it).
Any hints/tips/info would be appreciated.
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Post by crickleymal on Jun 17, 2014 22:29:25 GMT
Are you running on the fuel that was in there over the winter?
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Post by davecatleugh on Jun 18, 2014 4:50:39 GMT
"Are you running on the fuel that was in there over the winter?" Yes. The bike didn't go far for about 6 months, although I did start it every weekend, and let it get well warmed up. |
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Post by ribbit on Jun 18, 2014 8:49:12 GMT
If you have an inline fuel filter, clean or replace it, otherwise a carb clean and some fresh fuel will probably sort it.
Is the routine servicing up to date (filters & plugs etc.)?
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Post by davecatleugh on Jun 18, 2014 18:40:55 GMT
Plugs, air filter, and petrol filter seem OK, so maybe it's the carbs then. Was hoping it would be something a bit easier. So, petrol "goes off" after a few months then? They should put a sell-by date on the pump!  |
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Post by neilmud Lord Protector on Jun 18, 2014 18:49:21 GMT
check pump by starting on prime check fuel filter & open filler in case breather blocked drain carbs if no go drain fuel & carbs again would hate to see a tank of fuel go to waste. Bu99er seems I have been in scotchlandshire too long it's not my petrol so why worry  Neil |
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Post by alan292 on Jun 18, 2014 19:17:23 GMT
Plugs, air filter, and petrol filter seem OK, so maybe it's the carbs then. Was hoping it would be something a bit easier. So, petrol "goes off" after a few months then? They should put a sell-by date on the pump! Hi Dave....yup petrol goes off but Im not sure how long it takes to "turn"...a few years ago I had a diesel pickup for work and I was issued with a gallon of petrol everyday I required to use the sthil-saw....after a few months I replaced the pickup with a petrol engine LV31....superb I thought Ive got 6 5 gallon cans full in the shed...proceeded to fill the tank with a wry grin on my face ( free fuel/Scottish)...a couple of miles down the road the van began spluttering and coughing....would run about 100 yds and cut out....the petrol had gone like varnish jelly stuff ....tank off , emptied and flushed ,carb had to cleaned out aswell.... 
These cans were in the shed about 6 months throughout the winter
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Post by gsteinert on Jun 18, 2014 19:19:07 GMT
Fuel pump is not likely the problem. As long as you are maybe a couple of litres above the reserve point in the tank gravity will do the job of the fuel pump anyway.
There's not much to go wrong on those vacuum pumps anyway I don't think.
Gary
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Post by davecatleugh on Jun 19, 2014 19:41:15 GMT
Thanks for all the replies guys. From what you've said so far, it's sounding like the carbs need cleaning, as tank nearly full,loads of fuel getting to fuel pump inlet, and nice fat blue sparks from the plugs. Gonna have to find some time at the weekend, to see if I can sort it (don't want to miss too many sunny days).
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Post by davecatleugh on Jun 22, 2014 13:53:03 GMT
Have decided it's the fuel pump. I got a small pop bottle, fitted some fuel line to it's top, suspended it from my garage ceiling, and used it as a small fuel tank. Bike started no bother, and ran sweet as a nut (on some of the old petrol out of the tank).
Had a look inside the fuel pump, and found it has 1 large, and 2 small diaphragms, with no obvious holes/damage. Carefully put it back together, and blew/sucked the tube that comes from the cylinder, and could hear the large diaphragm operating OK. Next tried blowing through the inlet and outlet, and there wasn't much difference, but I think there should have been, as the two small diaphragms are obviously arranged to allow flow in one direction only.
Am going to try an electric pump. Have heard those cheap ones on eBay are too powerful. Has anybody tried one?
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Post by CD on Jun 29, 2014 22:18:22 GMT
Use the 900 fuel pump
Sent from a widget that can't spell.
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Post by davecatleugh on Jul 1, 2014 16:40:49 GMT
Use the 900 fuel pump Sent from a widget that can't spell. Thanks for that, but I've ordered an electric one off eBay, and am going to give it a try. I dismantled the old vacuum pump, out of curiosity, gave it a good clean inside, and re-assembled it. It now seems to be working as I thought it should. |
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Post by billywhizz on Jul 19, 2014 20:38:46 GMT
don't think petrol would go off over a six month period, I often have a tank full sat in garage for winter months, and no problems.
had some two stroke in a small generator for a couple of years, i start that like once a year, and have just ran that ok.
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Post by CD on Aug 3, 2014 14:04:50 GMT
A full tank will generally store ok. A gallon sitting in the bottom of a large tank will quickly go off. Sealed cans usually store fine.
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