Joined
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5 Posts
1996 Thunderbird 900 1350 miles
Ok, this may be a little wordy, but I hope that someone else has gone through this, and can help.
Last week I decided to put some sea foam in the tank to help clean the carbs from their winter slumber. I have run the bike every week, and it has always started right up without any problem. The next day, I decided that I would drain the old gas, and put in a gallon of new. The bike started right up, ran for about a minute, and gradually the rpms started to decline, and the bike stalled. I tried to start it again and again. Occasionally it would sputter, but did not start again. REmoved the battery to charge it.
I know I know. Gunk in the tank has blocked the petcock screens.
Nope.
Seafoam dislodged gunk in tank, and clogged in line filter.
Nope.
Bike somehow miraculously lost spark.
Nope
Fuse is blown.
Nope
All silly stuff, is it in neutral? Yes. Is the side stand switch operating properly? I dont have a clue. Dont know how to use a voltmeter.
Here's what I have done:
I removed the tank, and took a look at the fuel system. I didnt remove the float bowls on the carbs. I checked all lines, and momentarily thought that the roll over valve could be malfunctioning, causing vacuum lock, removed it, still wouldnt start.
I removed the in-line fuel filter and replaced it. Still wont start. Gasoline flows freely through the petcock on "ON" and "RESERVE" valve settings. I know that gas is getting where it needs to be, but it wont start.
I am at a loss. The only thing that could have happened is that it isnt getting air because overnight a mouse crawled into my airbox. Highly unlikely.
The only other thing I can think of, is that while sitting, a colony of ants decided to make my fork and battery storage box a colony. When I started the bike the previous day, It sent them scurrying all over the bike, carrying little eggs in a frantic bid to escape my thundering motor. Could ants have made their way into a critical spot on the bike? I dont think so. And in any case, the bike ran fine before I drained and refilled the tank. As I said, gas flows freely through the petcock. Also, it is worth mentioning that I cannot remove the plugs. I have all sorts of plug sockets, and none of them fit. It is very odd, but I cant get em out. So I havent checked the plugs to see if they suddenly became so clogged up that it would cause them to lose spark (I checked for spark with a new plug). I have no idea, and I am losing my marbles. Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
meridian
Ok, this may be a little wordy, but I hope that someone else has gone through this, and can help.
Last week I decided to put some sea foam in the tank to help clean the carbs from their winter slumber. I have run the bike every week, and it has always started right up without any problem. The next day, I decided that I would drain the old gas, and put in a gallon of new. The bike started right up, ran for about a minute, and gradually the rpms started to decline, and the bike stalled. I tried to start it again and again. Occasionally it would sputter, but did not start again. REmoved the battery to charge it.
I know I know. Gunk in the tank has blocked the petcock screens.
Nope.
Seafoam dislodged gunk in tank, and clogged in line filter.
Nope.
Bike somehow miraculously lost spark.
Nope
Fuse is blown.
Nope
All silly stuff, is it in neutral? Yes. Is the side stand switch operating properly? I dont have a clue. Dont know how to use a voltmeter.
Here's what I have done:
I removed the tank, and took a look at the fuel system. I didnt remove the float bowls on the carbs. I checked all lines, and momentarily thought that the roll over valve could be malfunctioning, causing vacuum lock, removed it, still wouldnt start.
I removed the in-line fuel filter and replaced it. Still wont start. Gasoline flows freely through the petcock on "ON" and "RESERVE" valve settings. I know that gas is getting where it needs to be, but it wont start.
I am at a loss. The only thing that could have happened is that it isnt getting air because overnight a mouse crawled into my airbox. Highly unlikely.
The only other thing I can think of, is that while sitting, a colony of ants decided to make my fork and battery storage box a colony. When I started the bike the previous day, It sent them scurrying all over the bike, carrying little eggs in a frantic bid to escape my thundering motor. Could ants have made their way into a critical spot on the bike? I dont think so. And in any case, the bike ran fine before I drained and refilled the tank. As I said, gas flows freely through the petcock. Also, it is worth mentioning that I cannot remove the plugs. I have all sorts of plug sockets, and none of them fit. It is very odd, but I cant get em out. So I havent checked the plugs to see if they suddenly became so clogged up that it would cause them to lose spark (I checked for spark with a new plug). I have no idea, and I am losing my marbles. Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
meridian