not starting


Information and questions on GL1100 Goldwings (1980-1983)
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tegid
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Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:14 am
Location: France
Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

not starting

Post by tegid »



GL1100 1983

A few days ago all was running beautifully - low on petrol went onto reserve. Next day started as usual and after 200 yard the bike appeared to run out of fuel. Not the case, tank low but not empty. I sprayed some easy start (ethenol ? ) into the air intake and it fired and died - it turns over fine on the starter motor.
Being new to the Goldwing I thought it was a good time to start at the tank - todate I have cleaned out the tubes in the tank with compressed air, checked the petcock, filter and changed the pump for a spare. I am still in the same boat - next step is the carbs, I think ?
Any suggestion on what to do next, if it is the carbs any guidance would be welcome.
Just a thought could I be barking up the wrong tree, would that ethenol fire without a spark (preignition) ?


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winguyjo
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Re: not starting

Post by winguyjo »

since you arent getting any help i will chime in with what little i know ...

yes, you are probably barking up the wrong tree, but if you want to confirm spark, just remove a spark plug lead, place an old plug in it (if you dont have a spare plug then use the existing one) lay it against a good ground and crank the engine (with the kill switch in the run position). you should see spark.

confirm fuel in the float bowls by loosening the drain screws to see whether fuel flows out.
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tegid
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Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

Re: not starting

Post by tegid »

Thanks for the reply, I was beginning to despair. Yesterday I tested for a spark with an old plug - weak but I did get a spark. I will have a look at the float bowls next.
A few years back I restored my old BMW K75 and had a problem related to air flow - corrosion in the air flow sensor that impeded the air flow. A different animal but could this be the case - however the filter is new. Being new to the wing I am bracing myself for a journey into the carbs. (Abandon hope all ye who enter) On the positive side I am learning my way round the wing very quickly.
Best regards
Frank
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tegid
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:14 am
Location: France
Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

Re: not starting

Post by tegid »

To continue the saga ... I checked the flow coming out of the hose that connects to the carbs - a good strong flow.
I undid the drain plut to N°4 and there was plenty of petrol there.
Back to the electrical theory - I tested for a sparking holding a plug against the earth lead - the spark is very weak and with continued cranking it becomes non existent. I jumped a heavy duty car battery to the bike and this made no difference.
Help! desparation is setting in.
Frank
indianakid
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Motorcycle: 83 GL1100 I

Re: not starting

Post by indianakid »

Ok..... Here is my 2 cents. happened to a buddy of mine on a cross country trip to California. he was riding a 77 and i was on my 81. it had been raining for the past day and we were approaching our next fuel stop when he had to switch to reserve. shortly after that he started loosing power and we pulled to the side of the road with his bike barely running. sounded like it was running out of gas. puled the fuel line going to the carbs to verify flow and it looked good, but picking up a bottle, conveniently left on the side of the road, and catching some fuel in it it was obvious that there was water present. so next we opened the bowl drains that we could get to with the tool kit screw driver. while they were draining kept cranking the engine catching the fuel in the bottle until it showed very little sign of water. hooked every thing back up and got it running enough to make it to the next gas station. from that time on after every fill up i always ran on reserve for the first 10 to 20 miles to make sure any problem with fuel in the bottom of the tank was found while i still had the option of switching back to the main. bottom line your problem sounds like water in the tank.
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tegid
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:14 am
Location: France
Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

Re: not starting

Post by tegid »

Thanks for that idea it sounds very similar to my problem. I did drain the tank when I started, I did this to check to petcock and all hoses and look for internal blocking in the tank. If it is water in the fuel would this block the carbs? - if so I guess I could just remove the drain plugs and keep cranking.
Well it's all stop for the day and time for a beer
Regards
Teg
indianakid
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Motorcycle: 83 GL1100 I

Re: not starting

Post by indianakid »

if left for a long time water in the carbs / tank will cause corrosion and possibly blockage. but in your case it should be ok once you flush fresh gas through the system.
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WingAdmin
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Re: not starting

Post by WingAdmin »

Keep in mind, any water (or moisture that condenses into water) will sink to the bottom of the tank, because it is heavier than gas. The reserve sump in the tank is lower than the main sump, so that's where the water will end up. That means you could have water in your tank, and not know it until you switch to reserve, and your engine quits.
indianakid
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Re: not starting

Post by indianakid »

that is correct. that is why i would burn from reserve for the first few miles after fill up in case i got some bad gas with water or from condensation build up as wingadmin stated above. its just nice to find the problem when the tank is full and you can switch back to main and keep going.
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WingAdmin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
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2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
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Re: not starting

Post by WingAdmin »

This is the reason why pilots drain the sumps of the tanks as part of the preflight. You want to find out about water in the fuel (and get rid of it) BEFORE you're airborne.
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tegid
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:14 am
Location: France
Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

Re: not starting

Post by tegid »

The battle continues - this evening I checked compression, the bad news was the hose on the tester was old, tired and leaking (like me) even with that I got about 130+ on each cylinder (cold) All the plugs were new, clean and dry. I drained all the bowls. Finally I lashed up a fuel reservoir linked to the pump intake to see what was happening. Drain plugs off and a level in the reservoir dropped with cranking. With the drain plugs closed the level in the reservoir stayed constant. Hence dry plugs – no fuel is passing to the cylinders.
The cause of the problem could stem from the day the Wing stopped – I knew I was short of fuel so I added fuel from the can I keep for the mower. Never had a problem with the mower but maybe Brigg Stratton motors can run on anything with a gas flavour.
Any ideas would help – I dread the thought of attacking the carbs.
Teg
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tegid
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:14 am
Location: France
Motorcycle: Goldwing gl1100 1983 with sidecar jeaniel
BMW K75 1985

Re: not starting

Post by tegid »

To end the story - the wing is running. I must thank Indianakid for his post that put me on the right track. I opened all the drain screws and pumped fuel through - I then rigged a little reservoir and pumped in a fuel laced with a heavy dose of carb cleaner. I then left the wing for four days. She fired first go and made some alarming noises as she spat out all the water and what ever else. Being new to the goldwing I am now getting to know the beast. Next job is wiring, the last owner was a good mechanic but his wiring to the chair was, shall we say, interesting. I think it is going to be a case of rip it all out and start again.

Thanks to you all
Teg
indianakid
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Re: not starting

Post by indianakid »

Glad to hear that it worked out for you !


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