I have just recently bought a gl1200 interstate, and while it looked like a great buy at the time, I'm starting to find issues throughout the bike. I started to have this popping and lack of power in the 2500 to 3500 rpm range. I went to change my oil and found it really reeked of gas. I found out that the petcock is leaky and will continue to put fuel in the line when it is supposed to be off.
I know that this causes problems and messes up the carb floats, putting fuel directly in the engine while not running. I had tried to run sea foam through the carbs, and it seemed to help a little bit. But until I fix the petcock (friday) it kind of defeats the purpose.
I have changed the spark plugs for a just in case situation. No change.
My question is: can this situation be more serious than just the carbs? This bike has 75000+ on the engine, and while I know the Goldwing engine reputation, I'm wondering if this can also be symptomatic of a larger engine problem. I don't want to have to pull the carbs to get them fixed, just to find out that the engine needs a rebuild...
Would love to have some input on this situation....
Fuel in oil and other issues
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Re: Fuel in oil and other issues
Fuel leaking past the petcock can fill the carb bowls, and leak down into the cylinders. From there it can leak past the piston rings and into the oil, as you have discovered.
The worst thing that can happen is hydrolock, where the cylinder is full of uncompressible fuel instead of air - and when the starter tries to crank the engine, the piston can't move, and something has to give - usually a connecting rod.
The worst thing that can happen is hydrolock, where the cylinder is full of uncompressible fuel instead of air - and when the starter tries to crank the engine, the piston can't move, and something has to give - usually a connecting rod.
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Re: Fuel in oil and other issues
Well, I added an inline fuel shutoff, changed the oil, spark plugs, fuel lines. I also checked compression, about 120 across all cylinders. Checked my oil after running for a little while, and it seemed like just oil in there now.
I ran a ton of sea foam through the system, but I have this on and off again problem where it will have stuttering issues from 2500 to 3500 rpm. But then every once and awhile, it clears up and then runs like normal.
I also have a digital amp meter that someone else installed on the bike, and when I'm at idle, it seems like the voltage is a little low. Says it's at 11.5 - 12.... What's the normal voltage for the charging system at idle?
I ran a ton of sea foam through the system, but I have this on and off again problem where it will have stuttering issues from 2500 to 3500 rpm. But then every once and awhile, it clears up and then runs like normal.
I also have a digital amp meter that someone else installed on the bike, and when I'm at idle, it seems like the voltage is a little low. Says it's at 11.5 - 12.... What's the normal voltage for the charging system at idle?