Stored bike won't start

shutterspeed · 08-25-2009, 07:00 PM

I parked my R1100S for about 9 months while I got married and moved. Yesterday I tried to start it. I siphoned out the old gas and replaced it before trying to crank the engine. The old battery would not crank the engine or light the headlamp, even though it had been on a battery tender the whole nine months. I put in a new battery and it cranks the engine briskly, but the bike won't fire. All the lights on the dash look normal, and the fuel pump is normal in sound and duration. I pulled out a plug (right side) and it was dry and clean. I don't think fuel is getting to the plugs. Is this likely to be a fouled fuel filter, fouled injectors or something else?

signit98 · 08-25-2009, 08:07 PM

Sounds like the fuel is getting stopped somewhere... probably the injectors... might be the fuel filter... you might want to start with investigating the fuel flow.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

look and see if there is a mouse nest in the airbox

jduke · 08-26-2009, 04:49 AM

Pull an injector and see if you're getting a nice strong spray.

PFFOG · 08-26-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shreddr

look and see if there is a mouse nest in the airbox

Or exhaust, plugged exhaust will cause a no start too.

signit98 · 08-26-2009, 06:51 AM

You guys crack me up with the mouse next theory...

KMoore · 07:58 AM

I think there is a thread about it somewhere IIRC.

Here's one Winter storage tips

Looks like the R1100S is safe though.

PFFOG · 08-26-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signit98

You guys crack me up with the mouse next theory...

Most likely is mechanical/electrical and of course that is the first path, Air/fuel/compression/spark.

But it is the odd ball stuff that gives most technicians fits, finding the unexpected is always tough.

geothepencil · 08-26-2009, 07:38 AM

Mice regularly build fortifications in the fins of my lawn mower boxer engine as well as snacking on tasty wiring including the gourmet spark plug wires and caps. And they ate the air filter in my Olds one time too. No bike damage so far (that I know of).

geo

roger albert · 08-26-2009, 08:21 AM

> You guys crack me up with the mouse next theory...

I clean about 4, of either those, or acorns or wasp nests out, each year.

Guest24 · 08-26-2009, 08:47 AM

Pull a plug on each side, insert a 1/2 oz of fuel, reinsert the plug and she what happens. If she fires do the Ralf stuff. My tip saves the tear apart time.

Ricochet Rabbit · 08-26-2009, 08:56 AM

When you pulled the plugs did you check for spark? If you have spark, good. Next thing to check is fuel. Did you use fuel stabilizer when you stored the bike? You might have gummed up injectors or something else stopping fuel upstream.

RBMann · 08-26-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

Pull a plug on each side, insert a 1/2 oz of fuel, reinsert the plug and she what happens. If she fires do the Ralf stuff. My tip saves the tear apart time.

Easier to spray starting fluid in the front of the snorkel.

Guest24 · 08-26-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBMann

Easier to spray starting fluid in the front of the snorkel.

Agreed!

chewie · chewie's Garage

PFFOG · 08-27-2009, 04:02 AM

Gotta love the humor in the name of that.

roger albert · 08-27-2009, 10:59 AM

Fwiw, it is pretty rare for modern EFI injectors to fully clog, leaving NO smell or hint of gas, and NO vague coughs or near-starts. They nearly always fail as a poor pattern, or even partially open (i.e. injector valvetip stays partially open even when it's getting no signal) which leads to extreme richness, and often a partially external-combustion engine. Several times, I've seen the cat or mid-pipe (and headers) glowing bright red, and some plastic ending up melted.

Worth checking the spray, of course (and cleaning the injectors) but this isn't the most common failure. The 100 or so PSI involved tends to self unclog to at least a crappy pattern.