A lil trouble !!!

[bikercouple]

I have a 83 venture. It has been sitting for a couple of years. I first removed the carbs and went through them. They was very nasty. The fuel dried and hardened into that dark brown almost black substance. I think I got all the passage ways clear. The diaphragms are a little wore out. They will work but looking for replacements. I put it all back together.

 

I have spark to all four plugs. I have fuel to carbs. I opened the drain screw on all four carbs, one at a time, to make sure the fuel pump was working. Got fuel out of all four drain lines on carbs. Tired the start engine. engine turns over but wont fire.

 

I decided to check the compression.

left front 85 psi

right front 120 psi

left rear 90 psi

right rear 90 psi

Will the engine fire with those three low psi's ???

What is a normal psi for a venture 1200 ???

I sprayed starter fluid down the right rear plug hole when

I had the plug out. I tried the start the engine and it fired once.

So, I know that cylinder will fire if it has a fuel source. I didn't try any of the other cylinders that way. The plugs don't smell like fuel and looks dry. I make have to go through the carbs again to see if these is any passage ways I missed.

Is there an accelerator pump on these carbs ???

 

 

Thank you,

Bikercouple

Edited February 2, 2014 by bikercouple

[bongobobny]

Does it run?

 

*** Posted before author's edit***

Edited February 2, 2014 by bongobobny

[M61A1MECH]

and the issue is:confused24:

 

Posted before the OP edit

Edited February 2, 2014 by M61A1MECH

[bongobobny]

OK they can be a little stubborn to start if they have been setting for a loooong time! Are the sliders free? Are you giving it full choke?? Try twisting the throttle while cranking over. Spray some starting fluid down each carb and try it. Check each wire for spark down at the spark plug, wires can be bad or more than one coil can have issues. These bikes can run (not well) on 2 cylinders.

 

As far as the compression goes around 110 - 120 is normal. The lower compression could be due to valve adjustment. All cylinders should be within around 10psi. It should start..

[bikercouple]

I seen the bike running a couple years ago. But the PO stored it and here is what I have.

I'm trying to crank the bike. It will not run. It will not even try to run while trying to start. It turns over fairly easily.

I tired cranking it with choke on and off. With throttle wide open and closed. I even sprayed start fluid down the throat of the carbs while starting with no results.

 

Thank you,

Bikercouple

[bikercouple]

I have fire at every plug. Nice blue spark. So, I know the coils, wires and plugs are working correctly.

[Peder_y2k]

Low compression can be due to dry piston rings from sitting, or the starting fluid could have washed the oil out of the rings. either add a few drops of motor oil to each cylinder, or once the engine starts it will lubricate itself. The difference in readings just might be a non issue.

The diaphragms can be repaired with "Plasti-Dip"..... the stuff used to coat tool handles.

-Pete, in Tacoma WA USA

[MiCarl]

Your compression numbers are pretty low but should be high enough to light starting fluid. The diaphragms aren't your current issue.

 

Plugs that will fire in air won't necessarily fire in the cylinder. I'd try new plugs, no choke, and starting fluid through the air box (filter out so it doesn't burn if you get a back fire). Lots of cranking amps - either a boost box or jumper cables to a non-running car or truck.

[Yammer Dan]

It should fire. A new set of Auto Lites til you get it going. (cheap and a good plug to work with) When I got it running I would do a Sea-Foam soak. Then I give anything that has been sitting a dose of Sea-Foam in the crankcase, run it while I'm doing whatever in the shop. (Soaking overnight ain't gonna hurt a thing) but give it fresh oil before I go out with it.

[bongobobny]

OK although VERY rare, I have seen a TCI give the spark at the wrong time. With the compression tester, verify that the spark on a couple of cylinders is happening when it should and not just randomly. The bad TCI I saw was sparking like twice as fast as it should have and randomly. I repeat, this is rare...

[bikercouple]

I'm now getting spit back from the two rear cylinders and sometimes a flame out of one of the carbs when I spray starter fluid down the throttle of carbs. But, still engine isn't running.

[eusa1]

1st check your engine oil level and make sure it is not over full or possibly full of fuel from earlier carb problems... Replace oil and filter if needed..

Then:

Remove the plugs, put about a full table spoon+ of trans fluid into each cylinder and then lay a rag over top of each plug hole, and crank the motor over for a few revolutions.

Return fresh plugs ( i prefer ngk brand) and try to restart.

 

As said hear earlier, the starting fluid will remove the oil from the cylinder walls and the oil is needed for proper compression .

[MiCarl]

I'm now getting spit back from the two rear cylinders and sometimes a flame out of one of the carbs when I spray starter fluid down the throttle of carbs. But, still engine isn't running.

 

That sounds like a timing problem. Any chance the plug wires are on the wrong plugs or the coil leads are switched around?

[Wade 2000]

Is there fuel getting to the carbs?? I didn't see what was done to clean the fuel tank, fuel lines, petcock ect....

[bikercouple]

I removed the fuel tank and trying to clean it. I have a gas can sitting on the floor with a fuel line from in to the fuel pump. There is fuel getting to the carb. I opened the drain screw to drain the bowls. I got fuel out of all four drain lines.

[fixit3546]

Put the breather back on...they do not like to run without it.

[mralex714]

I removed the fuel tank and trying to clean it. I have a gas can sitting on the floor with a fuel line from in to the fuel pump. There is fuel getting to the carb. I opened the drain screw to drain the bowls. I got fuel out of all four drain lines.

 

Is fuel getting into the combustion chamber (gas on plugs)?

[bikercouple]

Ok about the breather. But, wouldn't it at least try to fire up without the breather. It isn't even trying to fire up.

I don't think I'm getting fuel to the plugs. Even if I spray starter fluid straight down every carb throat. Wouldn't that spray go straight to the cylinder if the throttle is wide open and with fuel, spark and compression should the engine fire up or at least make some kind of running noise. Not, just a sneeze and a fire ball out the carbs ?

[bongobobny]

The backfiring makes me think timing problem, like a bad pickup coil or something. Once again I suggest cranking it over and with compression tester make sure the spark is happening near TDC. Also, if possible, make sure only one plug is firing at a time. 4 plugs grounded to the chassis should confirm this. You may very well have a defective TCI.

 

Also, for S & G put in a new fuel filter, they are cheap and it's a good idea anyway...

[van avery]

Is it turning over quickly or slowly? Make sure the battery is up and in good condition. These bike are very picky about the voltage/power from the battery. The main cables were undersized.

The 83 I worked over after setting several years fought starting up without a good battery. If you are jumping from a car or truck make sure you don't start the car or truck up just jump it.

Good luck