Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 10:55:15 AM

Title: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 10:55:15 AM
This morning went to start the bike as normal. Pressed the starter button and just as the engine was about to start, released it. The engine didn't start, so hit the starter again. This time it wouldn't start and it didn't sound like the engine was turning at all as the sound was a more high pitched noise rather than the low grunt of the engine being turned.

Initally I thought the starter was  :censored: as it wasn't engaging the flywheel. This was because the sound was totally different.

Then I remembered what used to happen with my old Ford Cortina MK V when the carb used to get flooded. So I tuned the throttle on to max and turned the starter. After about 10 secs the engine started to splutter and then started.

Just in case anyone else has this issue in the future. First time its ever happened to me on a bike
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: BigAlan on May 06, 2014, 11:34:54 AM
That's because you cleaned it.

Alan
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 11:38:32 AM
Quote from: BigAlan on May 06, 2014, 11:34:54 AM
That's because you cleaned it.

Alan

Conclusion: Cleaning the bike causes other issues. Therefore do not clean bike.
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Charlie747 on May 06, 2014, 12:11:40 PM
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 11:38:32 AM
Conclusion: Cleaning the bike causes other issues. Therefore do not clean bike.

Now that my friend sounds like a plan I can live with  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Debs on May 06, 2014, 02:25:26 PM
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 11:38:32 AM
Conclusion: Cleaning the bike causes other issues. Therefore do not clean bike.

Rusty will have a seizure when he reads that...  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: viper on May 06, 2014, 05:52:26 PM
carbs?  isn't the gtr fuel injection, can you flood a fuel injection?
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 06:44:11 PM
Quote from: viper on May 06, 2014, 05:52:26 PM
carbs?  isn't the gtr fuel injection, can you flood a fuel injection?

it is fuel injection. It certainly seemed like I had flooded it. Can't think what else it could be
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Boomer on May 06, 2014, 07:05:44 PM
Chances are you hit the starter too fast. Sometimes it needs a couple of seconds between ignition on and prodding the starter. I always wait until the fuel pump noise stops before starting.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: BDF on May 06, 2014, 07:13:56 PM
It would seem that it could not happen on a fuel injected engine but I have done it on my C-14. In about the exact same way the OP states: crank the bike until it just starts but when letting go of the starter the engine stalls. Hit the starter immediately and the ECU seems to get confused- mine threw an F.I. error and would not start on the second crank cycle or after that. I even tried turning the ign. off and back on to <hopefully> re- boot the ECU but that did not work either. Finally I opened the throttle past 1/2 way and after a bit of cranking, it did rumble to life but spit a fair amount of black smoke and took a few seconds to clear out and run correctly. All the signs of a flooded engine.

Brian

Quote from: viper on May 06, 2014, 05:52:26 PM
carbs?  isn't the gtr fuel injection, can you flood a fuel injection?
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: viper on May 06, 2014, 07:50:58 PM
Quote from: BDF on May 06, 2014, 07:13:56 PM
It would seem that it could not happen on a fuel injected engine but I have done it on my C-14. In about the exact same way the OP states: crank the bike until it just starts but when letting go of the starter the engine stalls. Hit the starter immediately and the ECU seems to get confused- mine threw an F.I. error and would not start on the second crank cycle or after that. I even tried turning the ign. off and back on to <hopefully> re- boot the ECU but that did not work either. Finally I opened the throttle past 1/2 way and after a bit of cranking, it did rumble to life but spit a fair amount of black smoke and took a few seconds to clear out and run correctly. All the signs of a flooded engine.

Brian

well you learn everyday, as I said earlier brian is the go 2 guy over on the concours site

stick around brian , we may need you from time to time
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: doebag on May 06, 2014, 08:09:04 PM
Not had it on the GTR, but have on others.
I think 'confusing the ECU' is a good explanation. It sets up for a cold start, then does not fire, and sets up for another cold start, voila too much fuel.
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: BDF on May 06, 2014, 08:14:59 PM
Don't know about being anyone's 'go too' guy but I have had a C-14 since the early days (25 July 2007- our anniversary :-)  ) and I like to tinker with it.... and everything else.

Just bear with me regarding stupid questions and the language. It is nothing short of amazing to me how differently we use the same language; I have to stop and mentally translate all the time. Your expression 'break it down to bits' is perfectly accurate and makes perfect sense but we would not use that expression and I have to stop and think about what it means- seriously (in the US it is "take it apart"). I am sure it works crossing the other way too so some of my terms / expressions and nomenclature is probably wrong or at least not understandable to you folks too.

Brian

Quote from: viper on May 06, 2014, 07:50:58 PM
well you learn everyday, as I said earlier brian is the go 2 guy over on the concours site

stick around brian , we may need you from time to time
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Kwikasfuki on May 06, 2014, 08:27:17 PM
Its exactly as Brian described it, minus the FI error. And yes, there was black smoke when it restarted.

I just had to Google what nomenclature meant.



Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: Boomer on May 08, 2014, 09:06:53 AM
Brian, welcome to the world of TransAtlantic English :-)

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: BDF on May 08, 2014, 02:21:37 PM
I am used to it- I had a very good friend who lived in Norwich (but he pronounced it incorrectly Norrich). We spent quite some time discussing (OK, beating each other mercilessly until our eyes watered) the differences in the language and cultures. Because of that, I am somewhat familiar with more of your expressions / alternate meanings than I had been before. But some of this bike speak is really throwing me, probably because it is not only the words but the social differences unique to your culture. The other post about the gentleman's son having to have restrictors put in a motorcycle really threw me- the words were fine but it was the regulation that I was unfamiliar with.

You guys go ahead without me though, I'll catch up.  :grin:

Brian

Quote from: Boomer on May 08, 2014, 09:06:53 AM
Brian, welcome to the world of TransAtlantic English :-)

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Bike wouldn't start - flooded engine
Post by: MGvalerio on May 09, 2014, 07:24:03 AM
Quote from: Boomer on May 06, 2014, 07:05:44 PM
Chances are you hit the starter too fast. Sometimes it needs a couple of seconds between ignition on and prodding the starter. I always wait until the fuel pump noise stops before starting.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

:yes:is logical and elementary.

MGvalerio