Jennifers Bike Issue

[TLRam1]

Jennifer is a new member waiting for our Admin to approve her membership....in the mean time I will post her questions and any replies she emails here. I told her to watch this post for your replies.

Jennifer's issue.

Thank you. (the Thank you was to me so get to her question )  I have some pressing questions about my bike.  I have noticed a very strong gas smell in my garage, and the dipstick area is very wet, and smells of gas.  I'm concerned about the amount of fumes that are in the garage.  This is the first time I have had a bike with this kind of problem, so Im worried it something expensive, or worse... my water heater pilot light is going to catch the garage on fire.

It runs great, but the fuel smell is really scaring me.  I would love to bounce some questions off the group if possible.

Jennifer

[roboto65]

Well she is signed up sorry for the delay anyhow what year if 3rd gen maybe the vachhum cutoff has a hole in it. Dipstick area you mean in the oil or around the dipstick it's self  these are things that need an answer so we can get her back riding and she will probably answer me LOL herself when she gets on board which she is LOL

Oh and welcome Jennifer

[TLRam1]

what year if 3rd gen maybe the vachhum cutoff has a hole in it. Dipstick area you mean in the oil or around the dipstick it's self  these are things that need an answer so we can get her back riding and she will probably answer me LOL herself when she gets on board which she is LOL

Oh and welcome Jennifer

That would help, I thought you were mind readers, Jennifer is rubbing off on me.

1994 750 3rd Gen.

[hootmon]

welcome Jennifer from Tampa Bay, Floriduh...

A couple of random ideas below:

Any chance you have a loose carb fuel bowl drain screw??

As queried before, the dipstick statement is a little vague.. So we need some clarification on that...

If you suspect that you are getting fuel into the oil, STOP riding the bike. The fuel will lower the viscosity of the oil and you can ruin your engine!!!

Maybe a Float valve inside one of the carbs is not quite shutting off.. It's not bad enough to flood the cylinder, but enough that a little gas is dripping into the cylinder and through the rings into the oil..

I also have a '94.. How many miles do you have on it?? (Not relevant to the troubleshooting)
Was the TSB#001 work ever done to the bike?? (There should be a "punch" mark next to the S/N on the neck of the bike if it was performed by Honda)

[Chad in Michigan]

more than likely there is a problem with a torn diaphram in the vacuum fuel shutoff valve and what it does is flood the engine with fuel if it leaks out of the vacuum tube into the cylender. don't start the bike, it may hydrolock and damage the engine. check the engine crankcase for strong gas odor and/or look at the dipstick. if it looks like oil, it will stick to the stick, if it is gas, it will be  mostly clean. that's where i'd start.

[lragan]

Oh, and if it were my bike (and my garage!), I would push the beast outside just to make sure there is not a fire from the water heater or some other source.  Could ruin your whole day!!

[Charles S Otwell]

and the dipstick area is very wet, and smells of gas

Unless the dipstick area is wet with a gas and oil mix, (which I would think would show up as over filled when you check the oil) then I would suspect the gas is showing up on the outside of the case in that area. I would definitely check the oil, better safe than sorry, if you can eliminate gas in the oil, trying drying the wet area with clean paper towels and when you start seeing the wet accumulating start wiping with toilet paper (easier to see and smell gas on) moving up from the wet area to see if you can locate it's point of origin. You might also check the vent tube to make sure it's still attached to the tank, what might drip out on the ground after a fill-up, may be dipping and accumulating on the engine. Just a couple thoughts. good luck..

[Jennifer F]

Thanks for the information.  Heres the scoop so far:  

94 Magna 750, 11,000 miles.  Doesnt look like it was ever dropped.  I made my friend who owns an ST1100 very jealous  I bought the bike 6 days ago from a lady who did not ride it for about a year except around the neighborhood.  An idea from her ex-boyfriend but never took the time to get her comfortable riding this bike.  Not really an entry level bike, imo.

Anyway, I drove it about 6 blocks, and it started to sputter.  First thing I did was check the gas tank, and it was empty.  Even on reserve, I barely made it to the gas station.  After 3 full gallons, she started up just fine, and I have had no problems running after that.  Runs like a champ, never stalls, and has a lot of get up and go.  It does backfire slightly, but Im not sure if that is normal or not.  

I parked it in the garage over night, and when I went out the next day, the gas smell was bad.  I checked under the bike, ran my hand all over the engine as best I could and could not find any active leaks.  I checked the dip stick to smell the oil, and it looks very thin and very full.   My guess is that the gas is overflowing into the oil, but that is why I have come to you guys.

I thought that if I closed the petcock after driving in hopes that if that is causing the leak/smell, that I could prevent it from getting worse.  It seems to really not make a difference.

When I say the dipstick is wet, I mean that even before I remove it, that is the only place where I feel any kind of "leak".  And like I said, when I remove the dipstick, the level is way above the line and drips like water, not like oil and smells like gas.

Hope this all helps.  Cuz I sure need it!

Jennifer

PS:  I am leaving the garage door open a few inches since gas fumes are heavier than air.  I cant smell the gas at all when I do this, so I think Im in the clear from blowing up!

[TLRam1]

Welcome to MOOT Jennifer.

My guess is like much has been said. Gas is getting in your cylinder somehow and running into the oil. One of my questions was going to be how long it has set, looks like you answered that. I bought a bike that did this and the oil gas mixture was so high it gushed out when running, I think I deleted all my photos.

Number one do as Hootmon suggested and Do not ride the bike w/o first changing the oil, this can ruin your Main Bearings quick.

What I would do is replace the fuel shut-off valve as seen in the photos on this thread.
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php?topic=4202.0

And at the very least clean the carbs out well , if you have the funds to spare (doubt it would be much), replace the needle valves and these 2 items should eliminate the problem.

You could try Seafoam or cleaning the parts first, but with the bikes age and already have a problem the rubber is probably not pliable as it shod be in the valve. The needle seats might be fine with a cleaning but if they are not much and while I was cleaning the carbs, I would replace them and be done with it for good. Get onto riding and no more worrying.

Also read the Magna FAQ section located below.
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php?topic=1917.0

[Jennifer F]

As I have never worked on a motorcycle, and have changed the oil in my truck only a few times, I would have to say that a step by step instruction would be necessary for me to do much at this point.

Should I do this myself, is the fuel shut-off valve easy to get to?  And not to sound like a dumb girl, but cleaning carbs sounds like something I do at the hospital for patients pre-op.   Help?

Jennifer

[TLRam1]

You do have some good people down your way in the Austin area, maybe someone could put a wrench session together and give you a hand.

You can download a Service Manual from the FAQ Section for your bike that will give you step by step directions for the most part. The shut-off valve is not too hard to get to under the rear quarter of gas tank. Carbs for sure you need help as with the other items it sounds like.

Hootmon has plenty of time if you want to trailer to Safety Harbor, Florida.  Once this is done you will likely not have issues with the bike other than a possible regulator problem, really good bikes, require little (as in very little) work but the do like to be ridden to keep the carbs clean and gummy stuff out.

Nice looking bike, appears you have been on forums before and I see you have the much appreciated Mustang seat.

[roboto65]

Tell ya what after seeing what I saw at Charles    I think you can work on the carbs no probem with a little help at first we will make you a pro!!!    Heck make the wrench session while I am off the boat and I will probably make an apperance LOL   

And as far as the oil goes you can do it no problem easy job !!!

[lragan]

Jennifer, welcome to MOOT. 

Beautiful bike, no doubt. I love the color.  (Once you see my bike you will see why!! )  Hang in there, we will help you get it fixed.

I live near Austin, about 1/2 way between Oak Hill and Driftwood off 1826.  Sending you a Private Message (PM for short, common on this board) with my phone number and address.

I have replaced jets and shims in two of these 3rd gen bikes now, which qualifies me as an expert.   (Greg or Allen have done tens, if not hundreds, and are much quicker at it than I am, but they are in Dallas and Houston areas, respectively.)     

Call me, we can work something out.  No bike that pretty should have to sit for long!!

[roboto65]

If you guys do something make it around the 10th or 11th and I might shoot over to watch !!!  Off that weekend..

[hootmon]

You have a real beauty there.. I know you are a little discouraged, but hang in there, you'll be smiling ear to ear before you know it!!!
I had a couple of issues with mine when I first got it.. I felt I couldn't depend on her to go very far at all..
Last summer I rode her up to Virginia and the year before up to Tennessee from Florida.. So, as you can see, I got over it, and so will you..

I was looking at the gas station picture above.. I've never seen a Kickstand leak so much!!!