No fuel flowing from fuel tank

[sReubenw]

Recently inherited an 83 Honda Goldwing Gl1100... That has not ran since 93 it only has 20,000 miles on it... so i changed the basics, threw a battery in and the engine turns and sounds healthy but never started.... The engine will run quite well if I throw some fuel down the intake and I can get it to rev and run 4-5 seconds at 1000 rpms but, No matter what I do fuel is not being pulled from the fuel tank and the fuel filter is still dry as can be...the fuel pump diaphragm moves nicely as far as i can tell no rips or holes, the inside of the gas tank is not to bad, i dont think the internal tubes are clogged...i just dont know why its not picking up a drop of fuel... fuel tank is about half full as far as i can see i cant really tell because the fuel level sensor dosent work... Im at a loss... seems like the bike would run beautifully if i could just get fuel flowing any help is appreciated.

[bofler]

well, if fuel isn't flowing into the filter, then that tells you there's an issue somewhere between the tank and the filter. seems likely that the petcock is mucked up with rust and/or varnish. your carbs are also probably in need of a rebuild, but that wouldn't stop fuel from getting to the filter.

i'd pull the line off the petcock (turned off), then put a cup underneath and turn the petcock to on. fuel flowing? if not, then that's your problem (or one of your problems). if it flows well from the petcock, then i'd reconnect the hose, but disconnect it from the fuel pump side. pull the hose through (filter and all) and try running gas through that into your cup. if that works, then not sure what the problem is. if it doesn't, replace the hoses and filter (though i'd go ahead and do that anyway).

the gas cap can be clogged up and cause a vacuum situation which impedes fuel flow. probably isn't your problem, but you can at least remove the gas cap and eliminate that from the possibilities.

[sReubenw]

Petcock problem is likely, it always seemed like a fairly fail proof kinda thing...Im assuming i need to fill the tank all the way and then try? to get gravity helping out... Suppose the petcock isnt flowing... Do you think soaking in it something could free up the flow? I think the 83 1100's have a riveted petcock and im not going down that headache road..... Sorry for the stupid easy question here.. Im just trying to make sure.. all my experience with engines have had fuel injection..

[bofler]

Yeah, if you don't have much fuel in the tank, I'd fill it up at least half way and give it a try. If there's gunk, some Seafoam my break it up. Could throw some in the tank and see what happens. Won't hurt anything. If you pull the petcock, could try soaking in Seafoam or vinegar. Vinegar is a common remedy for clearing up the vent in the fuel cap, so guess it would work with the petcock.

[Wilcoy02]

Welcome to the forum.

Before you try to start it again. You should replace the timing belts. They have sat for 27 yrs in the same spot. And they are probably 37 years old. They will look good but do not lose your engine over some belts.

[bofler]

The "belt apocalypse" warners are not wrong, but you'll have to decide how much work you want to put in before even having the engine running properly. Changing the belts means draining and pulling the radiator (pain in the ass), and while you're there you should go ahead and replace the radiator hoses and probably just throw in a new thermostat to be safe. Clean out the radiator while you're at it. Put the radiator back on (pain in the ass). Flush and refill the radiator. Somewhere around $100 in parts and a long day or two of working on the bike.

Me, personally, I'd make sure the engine runs decently before going down the road of changing the belts. Don't go out cruising the bike and revving it up, if you get it going. But if it's going, and you're optimistic, then go ahead and dig into the belts and all that stuff.

[sReubenw]

Haha already did timing belts.. not a fun job... in total I have done the spark plugs, timing belts and checked valve clearances did the fluids and filters and cleaned the oil pump pick up screen, a couple gaskets and replaced a couple fuel lines so overall not much... if it runs then brakes and carbs and fork seals and Im probably better off selling it .. i really wanted to give the bike every chance to grumble along.. so i will pull the petcock tomorrow and give it a closer look.. probably soak it.. wish me luck..

[bofler]

You already did so much work, and you ask about fuel not flowing from the petcock, c'mon! Haha! Your big problem, if there is one, will be the carbs. But if you get it running steady, it will probably run well for another 20 years and/or 100,000 miles if you treat it well.

[DenverWinger]

When I was resurrecting my 1100 back in '05 I checked engine run-ability by taking a piece of fuel line from the pump and sticking the other end into a gallon can of gas. The NASTY liquid that was in the gas tank bore no resemblance to fuel whatsoever.

Doing this could confirm your pump works, and give an idea the shape of the engine and carbs...

If the fuel tank is full it should be able to gravity-feed the carbs....

Possible you got the fuel lines reversed at the pump and are trying to pump from the carbs to the tank?

[sReubenw]

I filled the fuel tank and no gas came though at all.. so that sums it up right....no.... I pulled it and The petcock is in really good condition, no deteriorated seals and air moves through it fine.. so i dident bother soaking it....I just find it difficult to believe that both gas lines inside the tank are 100% clogged... but hey what do i know Anybody have any bright ideas? For now I will try to pull fuel from a gas can right into the fuel pump to double check the pumps proper operation later today so i can cross that off the list of suspects... Pretty disheartening stuff but wish me luck... oh yeah and i have the fuel lines in the proper location

[bofler]

have you looked around inside the tank? could be rusted up and deteriorating, and that gunk along with fuel varnish could make some nice clots. gravity alone should get the fuel to the pump, so that wouldn't be responsible for nothing coming out of the tank. but go ahead and check the pump. at least you'll see if it's working properly and if you're looking at a carb rebuild.

i'd empty the tank, put a hose on the petcock and blow some air into it. that could clear up some blockage.

[winguyjo]

having sat for 27 years it's not at all difficult to believe that both pickup tubes are clogged with varnish. mine sat for far less time and one of them was clogged. i got it clear by spraying carb cleaner into the blocked tube, let it sit overnight, then used compressed air to clear it out. be careful as i believe there are fuel screens on the end of these tubes that could be blown off by high pressure ... someone will correct this if i am wrong.

[sReubenw]

I poured vinegar into the tank and siphoned it out several times before putting good gas in for the first start up attempt... the tank was quite rusty and of course had about a gallon of kool aid gas in there, so its not to bad now..but still pretty bad... I also pulled the petcock and pushed a piece of speaker wire down both the holes but i could not get it very far because of the sharp angle in the tubes .... Anyway do you guys think i could spray some carb cleaner or seafoam in through the petcock holes whilest still having gas in the tank, im sure it would be fine, just want to make sure... I'm tired of siphoning and smelling gas.......Ill test the fuel pump anyway...mostly to get [Starvin Marvin] to run for a minute

[sReubenw]

The bike ran from a direct feed to the fuel pump, It idled and throttled a bit and seems to be running a bit rich but, not going to worry about that for now... The problem has to be a clogged internal fuel lines in the gas tank.. Many thanks to all the inputs, This is a great forum. I will throw a message up if I get the bike running to confirm the issue.. maybe this will help somebody else out there... Pretty neat to resurrect a neglected bike that has not ran in 27 years... Started calling it Starvin Marvin the Golden W-a-n-g-

[DenverWinger]

Might be able to push one of the heavier guitar strings thru the lines in the tank, they're pretty stiff. Get yourself a low E String for an electric guitar.

[sReubenw]

Brass/Bronze guitar string should work okay yeah?

[sReubenw]

ITS ALIVE!!!! A guitar string, some brake cleaner and a bit of time and the lines puked up some GUNK... and fuel started to flow.. I threw some fuel down the intake to get it really flowing so the starter wouldent have to work so hard getting fuel through the dry filter and into the carbs. Now it starts up on a dime... for now Time will tell... i put it in first gear and watched the rear tire... its flat spotted no big surprise but still... dang... lots more work to do before Mr Marvin is road worthy but he is no longer starving... Thanks for all the help everybody, and answering all my idiotic questions, You help save a Goldwing

[winguyjo]

glad to hear it.
get yourself a high e guitar string as well. great for cleaning out slow jets if you ever need to.
also a JIS screwdriver is an EXCELLENT thing to have in your toolbox.

[sReubenw]

huh.. thats a trip, ill have to look into a set of those... maybe that's why i cant ever find a Phillips bit that fits properly.. Ive replaced a couple screws already... Thanks for the tip

[DenverWinger]

Nothing like sweet success! Were you able to get BOTH the main and reserve lines open in your tank?

+! on the JIS screwdrivers. These bikes are full of JIS Screws. Cyclemax sells a nice set of Vessel drivers, hard to find in tool stores.

https://www.cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/ji ... 744/286106

[johnny42]

If you get the JIS drivers from Cyclemax, you might want to make sure they're not the "jaw fit" ones. I got my set earlier this year. I contacted Gary and ordered the 3 piece set. I had to wait for a shipment or 2 before he got the "standard" #3 size in. I've buggered up enough "phillips head" screws on bikes in the past. Never again!

[sReubenw]

I got both the lines opened up , fuel filter got junked pretty quick, bought another, long story short idler jets are now clogged, I just posted a new question a few minutes ago but maybe somebody will have a quick answer for me here, How do i remove the throttle linkage from the carbs so i can slide them out?

[DenverWinger]

There should be a throttle cable slack adjustment with a locknut where the cable attach to the carb assembly. Loosen locknut and turn the adjuster in for maximum slack in the cable. That should allow you to detach the cables.

[sReubenw]

Thanks for the reply Which way do i turn which nut? Bottom one counterclockwise? Top one? That is what i just took photos of right?

[DenverWinger]

The nut on the bottom is the lock nut.

Then slide the rubber cover upward along the cable, it will reveal the adjuster. The nut just visible on top is the cable slack adjustment, once the rubber cover is slid off the adjuster you'll see how it works.