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Dohh... A Homer Simpson moment

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by Kenbo, May 19, 2007.

  1. Kenbo

    Kenbo Member

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    Been having trouble getting my long standing bike to fire up.

    I know fuel is not getting to the plugs and was shure it was a carb fault.
    Now I know nothing about carbs so did not rush in and take then off just yet, I wanted to find out as much as I can first.
    I now understand why so many of you hold a certin fondness (NOT) of "Haynes" manuals as that is all I have to go by so far. Untill the XJCD that I orderd yesterday arrives.

    Today I was doing other jobs on the bike when I cleaned up some of the rust from around the petlock and noticed it is marked "ON" "RES" & "PRIME" so did a quick check, tank 3/4 full, removed hose and switched to "ON" nothing switched to "RES" fuel flows and my fingers are just not small enought to remove the prime pipe to see if that is clear or not. So my next job is to remove the petlock and replace it before I try anything with the carbs.

    I have been reading a lot of posts in here about carbs and the like, and with all this experiance to hand and if the CD is as good as I expect I trust there is no job I could not undertake my self

    Keep up the good work guys

    But what realy makes this a Homer moment is the fact that I teach electrical theory to first year students and what is it I tell them when fault finding. "Allways start at the begining of a system and never never jump to conclusions" Dohhhh
     
  2. BlueMaxim

    BlueMaxim Active Member

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    I don't believe it! Finaly we get to teach a Prof something! How cool is that! :)
     
  3. Nick

    Nick Member

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    The fuel valves are vacuum actuated valves. There are two lines connected to the valve, the smaller diameter line goes to the intake of carb # 3 and is the line supplying the vacuum to open the valve. The large line is of course the fuel supply to the carbs.

    With the engine not running you should not have any fuel flow in either "ON" or "RES", it should only flow in the "PRIME" position. The prime position is used to fill the carbs after the bike has sat for a long time or when you've drained the float bowls for what ever reason.
     
  4. Altus

    Altus Active Member

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    However, you might have actually HAD it in the "Prime" position, as our petcocks are a bit wierd - check the little arrow on the handle and make sure it's pointing where you want it...
     
  5. Kenbo

    Kenbo Member

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    Well today I managed to get the prime tube off the carb and it is dry as a bone even when the petlock is selected to prime I get no flow. So I started to drain down the tank.

    Got about 2 1/2 gallon out of her when flow stoped (storing it in the the tank on my car :) ) When I looked in the bike tank it looks to be about 1/3 full of fuel :!: :!: :!: and it will just not flow out no mater what position the petlock is in. So now I will have to remove the tank whith fuel still in it..........
    Any tips :?:
     
  6. Nick

    Nick Member

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    Which line are you refering to as the prime tube?

    Your first line you state no flow even in prime, then in the next line you only got 2 1/2 gallons out....
    How did you get the fuel out if there was no flow?

    If there is no further flow, make sure the two lines are disconnected from the valve. If you have a fuel gauge there will be one wire connector to remove, then the fuel tank anchor at the seat side of the tank, and finally just lift the tank up. Once the tank is off, I would keep it tilted forward and remove the fuel valve, then drain the tank into a bucket or something.

    Check the condition of the fuel pick up screen, may be plugged.
     
  7. Kenbo

    Kenbo Member

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    Nick
    Thanks for your reply

    Fuel did folw out initaly then just stopped even thought there is plenty still left in the tank. With both thin and thicker tubes disconected and no-mater which position I set the valve I can still get no more fuel out so as you say the Pick up screen may be blocked.
     
  8. ferret2

    ferret2 Member

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    Kenbo,
    Take the tank off the bike,then take off the fuel tap off, then drain the rest out into a can.Then you'll know its empty.
    ferret
     

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