No gas?/petcock leak?

Hey guys, I just got this bad boy hooked back up after I had to replace the oil pan etc. Anyways, the tank was empty over the winter, and I just added some premuim gas and a fully charged battery in order to run it for a bit. I go to start it and it tries and tries and tried to start, but I am not getting any gas. I look in the fuel filter and there is no gas. I rock it back and forth to jostle it and a teeny bit of gas goes in, but it sputters and no start. What the frik is wrong that I can't even get gas into the gasline?


Also, I have the petcock pointed down at the "on" position. When it is on the "on" and "res" positions it works fine, but I go to "pri" and it seems to leak around the petcock. once i get it started can i just drive in the ON and RES positions so I dont have to replace my petcock? (I assume it means I have to replace it since it's leaking)

 

"ON" and "RES" are vacuum operated. You would put it on PRI to fill the float bowls; once the engine is running then it should be getting a vacuum signal in ON or RES to allow fuel flow.

"PRI" allows fuel flow all the time; but it shouldn't leak either.

You probably don't need to replace the petcock unless you want to; it can most likely be rebuilt: http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=25058.html The article shows you how to tell if yours is rebuildable or not.

 

hmmm, i should just look for a universal one. I dont think i have time to rebuild. when on PRI it seems to leak around the little circle in it that turns

 

I think I have a larger problem than a petcock. I tightened that teeny screw on the petcock (just a hair) and it doesn't leak gas. But a sure sign of a replacement/rebuild.

On a worse note I try to start it now and it goes to the brink of starting and then a whirly/hiss sound and it's done. I try again and same result. Please don't tell me this is something horrible like a starter clutch or something.

 

It's probably something horrible like the wrong oil.

You need motorcycle oil not car oil. And if it's as cold as I think it is in AB this time of year, run 10W40 until it warms up a tad out.

 

would thicker oil in the cold cause that sound? yikes

this is what I just added.....

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/images ... 640phx.jpg

 

It was 38F today in ALberta. the only reason I want to start it is to let it run and get the new oil moving around. I just replaced the oil pan and dumped in new oil and want to get that baby rocking. I figure a start and run for a while (every week or two) is better than letting it sit for the whole winter. I do the same with my summer car. I hope this doesnt spell the end of my bike soon...

 

Alrighty then.

I wouldn't run a full-synthetic either; not in an XJ that's just being resurrected. Starter clutch fussy; humor it, don't push it.

Do an oil change; put in fresh 10W40 conventional motorcycle oil; run it only enough to circulate it and the gasoline stabilizer you'll add to the tank; then shut it off and leave it until spring.

Next year, when you winterize it, oil or fog the cylinders and plug the pipes after misting them with penetrating oil.

Running a motor for a short while (in the garage does NOT fully warm it up) periodically can do more harm than good. Every time you do that, condensation is formed in the crankcase and exhaust systems that DOES NOT get "burned off" fully. The water vapor in the exhaust system causes rust; the condensation in the crankcase can team up with other unburned hydrocarbons and form acid compounds that can actually damage your bearings.

You've been working on and messing with your XJ so much you haven't done anything bad; but I'd stop doing that to your "summer car" as well. You wouldn't believe what can happen to plain bearing motors from that regimen. As a VW mechanic YEARS ago I saw quite a few "dune buggies" with mains that looked like they had a bad case of worms due to owners thinking that it was a good idea to run them periodically while in storage.

Oh, and "AB" is the USPS 2-character designation for Alberta. "AL"=Alabama. Just like I'm in MI.

 

Cool, thanks for the insight. You have helped me a tonne with all this stuff and I sure don't plan on second guessing you. I have been starting my summer car (viper) now and then to let it warm up to full about once a week. This is turn key obviously compared to the Yamaha so there was no real stress on the starter system like there is with the Yamaha.

I understood what you meant about AB, because that's how be work it too. We follow the American's pretty close and try to be like you in every way we can.

 

Oh golly. I don't know if that's such a good idea either. We tend to be a pack of overly self-important rude selfish pricks with latent delusions of grandeur. With a few exceptions, of course. (But we're fun!)

Anyway, my point about not doing the periodic starting thing to your car had nothing to do with the starter.

The condensates of incomplete combustion can and do form acids in the oil that can eat your main bearings. Unless you get the car out and put 15 or 20KM on it to get it fully warmed up, you're doing it no favors.

The moisture in the exhaust thing applies to cars too.

 

I understand that it had nothing to do with the starter. I meant the viper i just jump in start it and let it warm up. the xj650 means I have the stress of it not start and just chugging, etc.

my bike must not be in as good of shape as others...the roads are so nice here that I have seen multiple motorcycles chugging around.

I know we shouldnt try to clone you, but we do., Dont get me wrong I hate the weather here and if i could get paid the same there as I do here for my job...i'd move in a heartbeat. Things cost half the price there as they do here. , and it can be so nice and warm there.

Anyways, I am sure I will resurrect this thread in the spring, but for now I will just let it sit

 

I just tried to start it again (at approx 38F weather) I think I am not getting any gas(or not enough). I try to start it and it just makes the electric starting sound. I then give the throttle a bit (on full choke) and it gives a little rumble as though it got some gas, but then it goes back to the electric start sound and it doesnt start. It goes close to a start now and then, but otherwise no go, which is why I think its not getting enough gas. I put a new fuel filter in and everything. the tank was empty during the winter so there is no dirty gas in there. Any other suggestions?

 

It lives.....