Triumphrat

rstrophyman

I have a 99 trophy 900. I can't seem to give it up in spite of a rocky relationship. I breaks down a lot. Now It will not start after sitting for 3 months ( I 've been riding my RS recently). Also when I crank it over oil gushes out from the dipstick area. At rest now when I try to take out the dipstick, oil comes out. The oil smells like gasoline. The bike ran fine when a parked it. Is it time for me to get a sprint?

cpallen

Are you joking us? Sounds like you left your fuel tap on prime and the contents of your gas tank is now in your cylinders and sump. Gasoline in it's liquid state is pretty much incompressable and definitely will not burn.

So it's time to pull the spark plugs and do an oil change (or maybe two) and then make an assement for possible broken bits. Good luck, you may have justification for a new sprint (but probably don't deserve it)

__________________
Courtney

rstrophyman

I ran to the garage to check the fuel tap. It is in the on position and not prime. I really don't touch the fuel tap much. Your description, however, sounds possible. Maybe the fact that it didn't start will protect the engine.

thanks for the info.

ervdrvr1

First, disconnect the fuel lines to the petcock and make sure the petcock is not leaking in the "ON" or "RES" positions(they are proned to fail). 2nd, pull the spark plugs and drain/change the oil and filter. 3rd, add appx 1 tablespoon of oil to each cylinder and turn engine over by hand to coat the rings and cylinders. 4th, pull the air filter and check for fuel saturation. Clean/re-oil or replace. 5th, pull the carbs and check the float valves. After all that is checked and OK, should be OK to run.
Remember, next time you park the bike for extended periods. Make sure it is up on the center stand(float valves may leak on the side stand). Either drain the fuel tank, or get a pair of Motion Pro Fuel Couplings and install them in the fuel lines. They have a valve in them that when disconected, shuts off the fuel flow. Just a push of a button and they come undone(I put these on mine years ago for just this reason). Or, get a Pingle manual petcock.
Being that the engine didn't start, and as long as you didn't hole a piston trying to start it, it should be OK.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Erv
Deep in the Heart of Texas!!

__________________
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when your STUPID!" John Wayne

Trophymick

As above reply's , but drain and change your oil as a matter of urgency, before you attempt to start it again, it WILL be contaminated with petrol! I had this happen on a 1200 Bandit once. I would put a cheap oil in and run it for 20 to 50 miles, then change it again with some quality oil (a pain in the backside, but worth it). It sound like either your tap is faulty (or as mentioned left in the prime position) or one or more of your carb float needles is faulty. Do not attempt to start it again as it is!!!!! It will hydraulic;o(


Trophymick

Just re-read Erv's post, all good info! Note to self, read all the ***** post's!

rstrophyman

Thank you all so much. sounds like I have a good project to do. It also sounds like I need to hide from my Triumph mechanic. He'll be upset if it seemed I wasn't caring for the bike.

BigMike

I had almost the exact same problem, and NO I DID NOT Leve the petcock in the wrong position.
Last year I was in a MC Accident with my new used 2001 Trophy 1200, luck was on my side in more than one way, my bike was repairable. The bike was at the dealer ship about 3 months awaiting parts. I got the bike back it seemed to run even better than it did before the accident. But I was noticing the smell of fuel in the garage. I went to crank the bike over one day and I had the same problem. The up shot was RUST! Rust in the fuel tank caused the petcock to stay open causing the fuel to drain into the crank case. Oh man what a mess, First order was to restore the fuel tank, second clean all of the rust out of the entire fuel system including the carbs and lastly change the oil. Oh yea check the air box, fuel was there as well. I would suggest you take a flash light and look in that tank, you may have a rust problem. BTW I installed an inline filter between the fuel tank and the petcock.
Mike