Hi All-
Well unfortunately today I found another reason to not like my local stealership.
I rode from Lafayette LA to Birmingham AL. As I was getting ready to exit in Hattisburg MS the main tank started to run out of gas. I switched to the reserve and the bike died.. Out of Gas. I KNOW my petcock valve and routinely run the tank empty to have to switch to reserve. However today was the first time I had to go to reserve since the bike was in the shop. Low and behold there was no reserve.
I was lucky and pissed. Lucky n the fact that it happened as I was on the exit so it was a short push to a station. Pissed because I know the dealers mechanic did it and they actually charged a premium to do it.
So finally the questions are;
How could they have reversed the valve to drain the reserve tank while the valve is set for main?
How do I repair it with the stock tool kit in Birmingham AL before I ride home?
Any and ALL help appreciate.
Thanks again,
Troy #309
Troy,
I don't think the petcock can be put together wrong, IIRC it's actually pop riveted together. Drain the tank in a gas can (Main-ON) than switch to reserve and see what happens, if you pull the petcock this has to be done anyway.
It may be a wild shot but that happened to mine not too long ago, an oversize o-ring was used and tightened down too tight closing off the reserve hole, clean your petcock valve replace or clean the filter and replace with the proper o-ring, that is if you don't find another culpret responsible for the problem..
How many gallons did the tank hold when you filled it? If the previous post is not the answer, I suspect a bad manual petcock that drained the tank main and reserve even though you had the lever in the main position. If it held more than three gallons you used your reserve also. I just replaced my defective petcock a few weeks ago. The failure mode was it flowed gasoline from the tank to the outlet no matter what position the lever was in. OFF or On or Reserve, gasoline freely flowed. I didn't take it apart to see how it works, but their must be a seal or O-ring than can fail and let gasoline flow. I removed the petcock from the tank and checked its operation with an air blow tool and it seemed the reserve inlet was open to the outlet no matter the lever position. Of course I didn't know this was the case when I pulled the gas line to remove the tank to check the air filter. I poured quite a bit a gas on my shoes and on the bike before getting my finger over the outlet and removing the tank and standing it on its end.
My bike is a 94, which I bought in June. The strainer, which is part of the petcock assembly was not only very dirty but was twisted and distorted. I suspect the plastic it is made of cannot handle modern gasoline. The strainer probably needs to be on a 5 year maintenance cycle unless you can find a regular source for no alcohol fuel. The crud on the strainer looked like rust, so I did the electrolysis rust treatment on the tank and sucked a bunch of iron oxide out, even though none was visible through the petcock or filler holes.
Quote from: sporacer on September 29, 2009, 09:06:35 AM
The failure mode was it flowed gasoline from the tank to the outlet no matter what position the lever was in. OFF or On or Reserve, gasoline freely flowed.
I noticed mine is free-flowing the fuel no matter what position it is in. My reserve still works properly but there is no OFF. Luckily the tank was down to the last 1.5 gallons when i pulled the tank and I was able to prop it up to keep the fuel from running out. I guess replacing the petcock is the only fix. On a related note..... I ran out of gas about a half mile from the gas staion last month and LUCKILY! I had that 30 ounce gas bottle that Curtis posted on here a while back in my pack. No pushing for me!
SPORACER where are ya located?
Central SC. Chapin
Today I hope to take a ride and check the petcock a final time before I tear into it Saturday.
I have ~86 miles on the main tank and expect it to be dry within the next 10 and have to switch to reserve. If it doesn't that means the valve is malfunctioning. <The indicator IS on main>
I will have a plastic gallon gas can on the back in case it doesn't function correctly and I drain the reserve tank also.
Quote from: drkngas on September 29, 2009, 09:46:37 AM
Quote from: sporacer on September 29, 2009, 09:06:35 AM
The failure mode was it flowed gasoline from the tank to the outlet no matter what position the lever was in. OFF or On or Reserve, gasoline freely flowed.
LUCKILY! I had that 30 ounce gas bottle that Curtis posted on here a while back in my pack.
May I ask what you are referring to? Is there a safe way to carry a small bottle of gas around? At 40 mpg a 20 oz bottle should get you about 7 miles, and 30 oz should get you 10. If I go real easy on the gas (50 mph) I can get over 50 mpg. With that figure 20oz would get me 8 miles and 30oz would get me 12 miles.
Quote from: dc112675 on October 09, 2009, 10:23:42 PM
Quote from: drkngas on September 29, 2009, 09:46:37 AM
Quote from: sporacer on September 29, 2009, 09:06:35 AM
The failure mode was it flowed gasoline from the tank to the outlet no matter what position the lever was in. OFF or On or Reserve, gasoline freely flowed.
LUCKILY! I had that 30 ounce gas bottle that Curtis posted on here a while back in my pack.
May I ask what you are referring to? Is there a safe way to carry a small bottle of gas around? At 40 mpg a 20 oz bottle should get you about 7 miles, and 30 oz should get you 10. If I go real easy on the gas (50 mph) I can get over 50 mpg. With that figure 20oz would get me 8 miles and 30oz would get me 12 miles.
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/Motorcycles/WR250F/DSCN8591.jpg)
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa214/TLRam1/Motorcycles/WR250F/DSCN8592.jpg)
Thanks Terry for responding. That is exactly the bottle (1 of them anyway) that I carry. Maybe I should buy a second one.
Quote from: drkngas on October 10, 2009, 04:32:33 PM
Thanks Terry for responding. That is axactly the bottle (1 of them anyway) that I carry. Maybe I shold buy a second one.
I carry four of them. <wide grin>
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 11, 2009, 01:08:24 AM
I carry four of them. <wide grin>
Curtis
Well, yeah, but you ride a Valk -- that giant slurping sound is the gas through the carbs... :lol: :lol:
Quote from: lragan on October 11, 2009, 02:41:10 PM
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 11, 2009, 01:08:24 AM
I carry four of them. <wide grin>
Curtis
Well, yeah, but you ride a Valk -- that giant slurping sound is the gas through the carbs... :lol: :lol:
Lawrence I hope that is not the case...I just brought home my new "BABY"...
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Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 06:09:17 PM
Quote from: lragan on October 11, 2009, 02:41:10 PM
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 11, 2009, 01:08:24 AM
I carry four of them. <wide grin>
Curtis
Well, yeah, but you ride a Valk -- that giant slurping sound is the gas through the carbs... :lol: :lol:
Lawrence I hope that is not the case...I just brought home my new "BABY"...
Capt. I've hit 40 mpg a few times with my Interstate but that is not usually the case. 33 to 36 is the norm unless yours is a '97 and then you can expect a couple mpg less usually.
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 11, 2009, 06:52:25 PM
Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 06:09:17 PM
Quote from: lragan on October 11, 2009, 02:41:10 PM
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 11, 2009, 01:08:24 AM
I carry four of them. <wide grin>
Curtis
Well, yeah, but you ride a Valk -- that giant slurping sound is the gas through the carbs... :lol: :lol:
Lawrence I hope that is not the case...I just brought home my new "BABY"...
Capt. I've hit 40 mpg a few times with my Interstate but that is not usually the case. 33 to 36 is the norm unless yours is a '97 and then you can expect a couple mpg less usually.
Curtis
Thanks Curtis for the info. It is a 97. Maybe you could give me a little more info. on why the 97 would use more gas. I'm all ears. This is my first Valk but have had a couple Goldwings and Interstate Police Bikes. I bought this one without doing any research because I felt it was a Good deal. Has 23,000 miles.
Thanks
Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 06:09:17 PM
Lawrence I hope that is not the case...I just brought home my new "BABY"...
Looks great from the tiny picture. So can you post a bigger pic?
I am just terribly jealous. If you want your gas mileage back, I will happily trade either of my Magnas for your Valk. :cool: :cool:
Quote from: lragan on October 11, 2009, 08:04:59 PM
Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 06:09:17 PM
Lawrence I hope that is not the case...I just brought home my new "BABY"...
Looks great from the tiny picture. So can you post a bigger pic?
I am just terribly jealous. If you want your gas mileage back, I will happily trade either of my Magnas for your Valk. :cool: :cool:
Thanks for the offer Lawrence. I will see if I can afford the gas first. If I run into a problem I will keep you in mind. I'm sure you will have one soon enough. I think Greg is going to make it a requirement we have one so I couldn't pass up a good deal....Now I have to go back to work...more donuts!!!!!!!!!!!
Clean bike you picked up Capt., congrats, what will you do with the Magna? Is that your Seadoo?
OK, Cap'n, I went back and clicked on your "tiny pic" and it blew up to viewable size. What a gorgeous machine! Equipped just like I want one, too. You are a lucky man.
Quote from: TLRam1 on October 12, 2009, 03:03:19 AM
Clean bike you picked up Capt., congrats, what will you do with the Magna? Is that your Seadoo?
Magna stays in the family. Will ride it short rides and let my best friend ride when he is in town.
Yes that is my Sea Doo..You want it? Make you a good deal when I get the title. Took it on a trade and haven't got the title yet. I know the ignition switch has been compromised/removed and not sure what else. It was in an outside storeage. I put a hot battery on it and tripped solenoid. Motor spins over good. If interested I'll send you pics.
Quote from: lragan on October 12, 2009, 08:54:50 AM
OK, Cap'n, I went back and clicked on your "tiny pic" and it blew up to viewable size. What a gorgeous machine! Equipped just like I want one, too. You are a lucky man.
Thanks Lawrence. I went to look at a VW trike that morning and came home with the Valk. I think I made the right decision. I don't know how to post those big pics. Maybe some day I will figure that out. Got to go get a new front tire put on Thursday. Then I should be ready for the longer rides.
Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 07:04:08 PM
Thanks Curtis for the info. It is a 97. Maybe you could give me a little more info. on why the 97 would use more gas. I'm all ears. This is my first Valk but have had a couple Goldwings and Interstate Police Bikes. I bought this one without doing any research because I felt it was a Good deal. Has 23,000 miles.
Thanks
Capt. I don't know the specifics but the main difference is in the carburetor tuning. On the upside the 97 will usually produce a couple more ponies than other years in exchange for the slightly reduced economy.
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on October 19, 2009, 05:37:39 PM
Quote from: Capt. Howard on October 11, 2009, 07:04:08 PM
Thanks Curtis for the info. It is a 97. Maybe you could give me a little more info. on why the 97 would use more gas. I'm all ears. This is my first Valk but have had a couple Goldwings and Interstate Police Bikes. I bought this one without doing any research because I felt it was a Good deal. Has 23,000 miles.
Thanks
Capt. I don't know the specifics but the main difference is in the carburetor tuning. On the upside the 97 will usually produce a couple more ponies than other years in exchange for the slightly reduced economy.
Curtis
Thanks Curtis. I'm going to get a manual for that year model (97). As you said it seems to have some traits of it's own so I hear. I have ran one tank around town and barely got 30mpg with 89 octane fuel. Runs strong but seems like a carburetor may be flooding sometimes after you stop and put on side stand for a few minutes. Also smelled gasoline but could not see a leak. I'm running Sea Foam on this tank. Has Jardine exhaust. Love the sound. Put new Avon tire on front. Rear still good. Not like any Goldwing I ever had...Handles much better. Thanks for all the advice. I do listen.