Prime+Overflow=regret

[Rubicon]

Hey guys,

After a long, cold ride sunday, I docked my bike up with the petcock in the PRIME position. I went into the garage the next day to find that 1/2 of my very recently full gas tank had deposited all over the floor via the carb overflow.

So I attempt to start my GS, and it wont turn over. Dead, just the click of battery.

Any ideas? It ran 110% the day before.

Thanks

[Big Rich]

Bad news........don't try to start it again.....

I'll let somebody else explain.

[RossLH]

First off, something isn't quite right with your carbs. Either the floats aren't set right or the float needles aren't sealing. Even if you leave it in the prime position, the floats should cut the flow of fuel off when the bowls are full.

Second, the bike not starting just means your battery is a bit low.

Fix the carbs, charge the battery, and try again.

[Big Rich]

Pull the plugs, change the oil and filter, THEN try cranking it over.

[craigs449]

^^^^^^+1,000......The other half of your tank of fuel is now mixed with your motor oil.....not a good thing!

[Paulcet]

Big Rich says to pull the plugs because your cylinders probably have liquid fuel in them. It doesn't compress.

[Rubicon]

Thanks guys! I'm amazed time and again how much support this forum offers.

I'll get to work after I've eaten some turkey and seen that new Red Dawn!

[jestercinti]

Skip Red Dawn and see Skyfall.  The real Red Dawn was made in 1984...

[Phil B]

erm... I'd like to understand why this situation could involve the fuel and oil mixing?

[Big Rich]

If the petcock fails, it can overflow the carbs. The gas goes to the lowest point (cylinders). If it stays there and the motor is turned over, liquid gas doesn't compress and can bend things. Because gas is extremely thin liquid, it can wash the coating of oil off the cylinder walls (which can lead to scoring), and flow down into the engine oil. And gasoline doesn't protect engine bearings nearly as well as engine oil.

Bad situation all around, really.

[crzydood17]

Pull out your dipstick and check the level lol.

Hopefully your starter did not have enough power to bend anything.

I would also worry about the first time you start it and a possible large fireball coming out of the exhaust if the engine sat at just the right valve position (both slightly open for scavenging)

[sledge]

Pull the plugs and dip something in the holes, if it comes out wet and smelling of gas.......there is your answer but then you need to take a step back. Please please please dont spin the bike on the starter and try to blow it out of the pipe and the plug holes.

With half a pint of vaporised gas shooting out and into the air together with the arcs in the starter motor, the switch and the solenoid you are inviting a disaster. Find some tube and try to syphon it out or suck it out with a syringe.

[noiseguy]

Mine just had the same thing happen... float valves were worn out and dumped gas on floor and into oil pan. Drain and refill oil, and get some new float valves.

[HyperxLethal]

I had a question about the petcock.
I work out of town for 4 days out of the week. Should I leave the petcock in the ON position or change it to prime when I'm out of town?

[Big Rich]

On.

[HyperxLethal]

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