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she won't start now

Started by 5speed, May 22, 2021, 08:50:48 AM

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5speed

I repaired the petcock issue and only put a bit of gas in the tank incase it started to leak around the petcock. I moved the bike from the shed to the garage and haven't touched it in a week or so. I went out yesterday to put it back in the shed. It fired right up and idled for a couple of minutes then quit like it ran out of gas.
I filled the tank tried to start it and it kicked a couple of times and wouldn't start.
I thought maybe I flooded it although I couldn't smell gas.

I let it sit over night and just tried to start it and same thing. rolls over just fine but won't even grunt.
Before I siphon all the gas out of the tank, remove it to see if gas is flowing and I have spark..any suggestions on what it might be?
Any fj idiosyncrasies when you run out of gas?
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

fj1289

Did you turn the petcock to prime to fill the float bowls?

5speed

Quote from: fj1289 on May 22, 2021, 09:17:37 AM
Did you turn the petcock to prime to fill the float bowls?
mine is the on/ reserve type. I've tried it on both with no success.
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

red

Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on May 22, 2021, 09:17:37 AMDid you turn the petcock to prime to fill the float bowls?
mine is the on/ reserve type. I've tried it on both with no success.
5speed,

Shoot a little ether ("starting fluid") into the air cleaner, and try to start hde engine.  If it fires/runs then, you have a gas-flow problem.  If it does not run, then you have an electrical problem.

Do not try to keep the engine running on ether alone; you could damage the engine if you do that.  A brief puff of ether will not hurt anything.
Cheers,
Red

P.S. Life is too short, and health is too valuable, to ride on cheap parade-duty tires.

5speed

Quote from: red on May 22, 2021, 11:17:34 AM
Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: fj1289 on May 22, 2021, 09:17:37 AMDid you turn the petcock to prime to fill the float bowls?
mine is the on/ reserve type. I've tried it on both with no success.
5speed,

Shoot a little ether ("starting fluid") into the air cleaner, and try to start hde engine.  If it fires/runs then, you have a gas-flow problem.  If it does not run, then you have an electrical problem.

Do not try to keep the engine running on ether alone; you could damage the engine if you do that.  A brief puff of ether will not hurt anything.
I'll try that..if I can find my can of starting fluid. lol
It's one of those head scratching things. No indication of any problem, fired right up then quit. Oh well..my new back tire hasn't arrived yet so I can't ride yet anyway.
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

5speed

Well..guess what it is. Lol
She fired right up with a shot of either. I hope it isn't a blocked elbow. I didn't use a lot of epoxy for that reason.
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

Pat Conlon

If you opened up the drain screws on your carb bowls you would find them dry.
 No gas is getting from the tank to the carbs.

2 things come to mind:
1) Your vacuum actuated petcock is not opening or staying open, due to a dodgy vacuum diaphragm or vacuum line connection.
Solution: You can try and fix your existing petcock and hope that it will not leave you stranded...or...Get a new '84/85 oem petcock from RPM (plug and play) The 86/87 fuel reserve petcocks are no longer available.
Between the gas gauge, the odometer and fuel level warning light...the wonky electric fuel reserve cutoff is not needed on the 86/87 petcocks and, IMHO, dangerous. Ever had your bike go on reserve and start studdering in the middle of passing a line of cars? You will then know what I mean.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3A36Y-24500-01
The '84/85 petcocks are superior to the 86/87 due to the fact that they have a prime function which bypasses the vacuum actuation. In the rare event that something happens to the vacuum side of the petcock valve, you can switch the lever on the petcock over to the P (prime) setting and fuel will start flowing....this feature will get you home. You do not have this prime setting feature on your 86/87 petcocks...a stupid move by Yamaha.

2) You have pinched your fuel line by incorrectly routing the line.
Solution: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=18286.0
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

5speed

I pulled the tank and it looked like the vacuum line had come off the petcock. these type of petcocks are new to me and I attempted to blow back thru it and couldn't. I don't know if that is even possible.
I put the tank back on and ensured the vacuum line was hooked up and still nothing. I have the line routed correctly..the PO or someone before him had it routed wrong.
I have the rebuild kit from RPM. Is there any way to bench test it to see if it's functioning correctly?
After I filled the tank the gas gauge didn't move from empty. Would that have any effect on it?
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

Pat Conlon

Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 12:50:55 PM
I pulled the tank and it looked like the vacuum line had come off the petcock. these type of petcocks are new to me and I attempted to blow back thru it and couldn't. I don't know if that is even possible.
I put the tank back on and ensured the vacuum line was hooked up and still nothing. I have the line routed correctly..the PO or someone before him had it routed wrong.
I have the rebuild kit from RPM. Is there any way to bench test it to see if it's functioning correctly?
After I filled the tank the gas gauge didn't move from empty. Would that have any effect on it?

Sure, do the suck test.
Run the fuel line from the petcock to a gas can
Connect a temp. Vacuum line to the petcock.
Suck on the vacuum line.....the petcock should open and fuel flow.

That's the first part...

The second part answers, does your vacuum side on the petcock leak vacuum?
Suck on the vacuum line....can you draw air through it? Even a little? If so, not good, you have a leak.
While sucking on the vacuum line, with the vacuum line in your mouth, put your tongue over the hole on the vacuum line, you should feel the pull of the vacuum on your tongue.

1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

5speed

Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 22, 2021, 12:59:40 PM


Sure, do the suck test.
Run the fuel line from the petcock to a gas can
Connect a temp. Vacuum line to the petcock.
Suck on the vacuum line.....the petcock should open and fuel flow.

That's the first part...

this worries me.  :shok: lol
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

Pat Conlon

Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 01:04:34 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 22, 2021, 12:59:40 PM


Sure, do the suck test.
Run the fuel line from the petcock to a gas can
Connect a temp. Vacuum line to the petcock.
Suck on the vacuum line.....the petcock should open and fuel flow.

That's the first part...

this worries me.  :shok: lol

No need to worry if you use a clean vacuum line....you should not suck any fuel.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

5speed

Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 22, 2021, 01:07:54 PM
Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 01:04:34 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 22, 2021, 12:59:40 PM


Sure, do the suck test.
Run the fuel line from the petcock to a gas can
Connect a temp. Vacuum line to the petcock.
Suck on the vacuum line.....the petcock should open and fuel flow.

That's the first part...

this worries me.  :shok: lol

No need to worry if you use a clean vacuum line....you should not suck any fuel.
lol..oh I've sampled gas before.. not real fond of it.
Is there an electrical bench test too?
I'm on the computer in the house and would rather make 1 trip back out to the garage.
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

Pat Conlon

Quote from: 5speed on May 22, 2021, 01:11:38 PM
lol..oh I've sampled gas before.. not real fond of it.
Is there an electrical bench test too?
I'm on the computer in the house and would rather make 1 trip back out to the garage.


That's a very good question....something I didn't consider.
Is it possible that your petcock is on reserve? Perhaps you don't have enough fuel in your tank? Perhaps the fuel reserve rocker switch is malfunctioning?

As I understand it, when your bike goes on reserve, the electrical circuit going to your petcock energizes the valve in the petcock to interrupt the fuel flow....so...
If you disconnect the wires to your petcock, your petcock *should* remain open (reserve function deactivated)

Hey folks, check me on this ^^ logic....

1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

5speed

Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 22, 2021, 01:21:45 PM


That's a very good question....something I didn't consider.
Is it possible that your petcock is on reserve? Perhaps you don't have enough fuel in your tank? Perhaps the fuel reserve rocker switch is malfunctioning?

As I understand it, when your bike goes on reserve, the electrical circuit going to your petcock energizes the valve in the petcock to interrupt the fuel flow....so...
If you disconnect the wires to your petcock, your petcock *should* remain open (reserve function deactivated)

Hey folks, check me on this ^^ logic....


that is something I would like to know in regards to how it functions. Unlike the petcock in my wings..there is only one hole for lack of a better term in the petcock for fuel to enter. I don't understand how the electric reserve functions if it's drawing fuel from the same source as the main or "on" position.
for switching to the 84-85 petcock, are you folks installing it and leaving it on reserve?
1986 FJ1200
2000 Roadstar
1976 GL1000
1978 GL1000
1982 GL1100 (sold)

Pat Conlon

That's the beauty of the 84/85 petcocks...there is no reserve function.
Only 2 settings (on) for normal vacuum actuation and (P) for prime function (on full time bypassing vacuum on/off)

To expand on my understanding of the 86/87 reserve function....there is a fuel level sensor in your fuel tank (part of the float assembly for your fuel gauge) When the fuel level drops below the level of the sensor, it closes a circuit running thru the sensor and thus closed, it energizes or actuates the electrical valve on your petcock interrupting fuel flow to your carbs...thus the engine studder until you switch to reserve on your rocker switch.
Switching to reserve turns off the power to petcock, and thus the petcock opens back up and fuel normally flows.
IOW your reserve petcock is normally open....only upon energizing does it close....

I think.....
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3