can float level keep engine from starting : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

tattoo1 · 03-04-2009, 06:03 PM

Is it possible if fuel level is to low in bowl bike will not start at all?
May seem like a dumb a** question but close to my wits end on
my attempt at fire up after engine work done. I have fuel thru nozzle and have pulled plugs and are wet or I should say damp. I smell gas when plugs pulled as well. I reworked this carb and set
float by book but will check again if above is possible.
I have another thread running at another location and will be checking timing for possible no fire/run issue.

Thanks for any input.

claydbal · 03-04-2009, 06:18 PM

if you get a spray from acell pump when you twist the throttle, it should run. if float was too low, you wouldnt have wet plugs. i would suspect a weak/no spark problem, you have replaced plugs right? you cannot clean or fix fuel fouled plugs.

tattoo1 · 03-04-2009, 06:46 PM

Yes I did put in brand new plugs and got it to fire somewhat after putting fuel in thru plug holes. I will check on timing issues before I take carb off again. Plugs had good spark which is what confused me when nothing happened prior to putting fuel in thru plug holes but I also moved timing as well. It appears I may have run out of timing adjustment since it halfway runs against full clockwise turn of sensor plate. Will not fire if go other way much at all.

Thanks Claydbal..

jerry34208 · 03-04-2009, 06:59 PM

What sort of "engine work" was done just before this problem cropped up?

tattoo1 · 03-04-2009, 07:24 PM

Had a local shop put in rings w/ 10:1 pistons, cam bearing w/ ev38cam and new rocker boxes with adjustable pushrods. I tore down the bike myself and took engine in for work. I as well put engine back in along with new clutch basket , primary chan , etc. The carb is a CV which I changed jets to a 45 / 180 and went with scream'n eagle breather set up. This is on a '89 evo.

Thanks for your inquire Jerry.

claydbal · 03-04-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattoo1

Yes I did put in brand new plugs and got it to fire somewhat after putting fuel in thru plug holes. I will check on timing issues before I take carb off again. Plugs had good spark which is what confused me when nothing happened prior to putting fuel in thru plug holes but I also moved timing as well. It appears I may have run out of timing adjustment since it halfway runs against full clockwise turn of sensor plate. Will not fire if go other way much at all.

Thanks Claydbal..

turn petcock off, spin motor till you clear fuel with throttle open. next, spray wd 40 into plug holes. about a 6 second blast per hole. install plugs and hold throttle open about halfway, see if she fires. be prepared to keep spraying wd40 into carb to keep running, this will help diagnose.

as asked above, what changed? which ignition unit do you have?

tattoo1 · 03-04-2009, 08:00 PM

still running stock '89 equipment w/ dual fire coil. I will give the
wd40 a shot tomorrow as need to charge battery from earlier attempts to fire. I will also set static timing prior to any attempts so hopefully close.

jerry34208 · 03-04-2009, 11:18 PM

Cam out of time?

claydbal · 03-05-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry34208

Cam out of time?

probably, or ignition module installed and static timed on wrong TDC mark? but the wd40 will tell what the problem is (probably)

nmaineron · 03-05-2009, 10:58 AM

I think you are going at it backwards.Get your timing set right first.If you know how to static time it, do it. You are running a lot more compression you have a tight motor and your battery is weak,fuel isn't your issue if your plugs are wet.

tattoo1 · 03-06-2009, 08:16 PM

Bought a compression tester cause nothing was making since. Not
sure what the shop I had work on motor did but had 170 lbs on the
front jug and ZERO on the back. Probably pushrod adjustment
issue but I paid for a motor that would run and the shop has it to give me just that.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

nmaineron · 03-07-2009, 10:32 AM

Tattoo,do yourself a favor and take your rear pushrods down and check to make sure that you have closed valves.

Things do happen.

If you are running hydraulics the lifters should have bled down and if anything should have been slack.

Solids would be too tight.

When you did your comp. check did it just show zero or did it have a high point and leak to zero?

tattoo1 · 03-14-2009, 04:47 PM

Bike running now. Rear jug pushrods had valves open. Fronts were out some as well which would not allow it to even fire.

Just have to fine tune carb and be on the road I hope.

Thanks to all who replied to this thread....