1100rt was washed now doesnt start

[KER]

Heres the run down:

2000 R1100RTP

67k miles, and has been running fine.

One of my riders took it home and washed it (regular hose) and after drying it off he tried to start it, it would turn over but not fire.

 

-Battery is charged and strong

-RID comes on correctly

-Kickstand switch functions correctly

-Fuel pump turns on

-Started engages correctly

-Have spark on both sides

-Check stick coil and both have same resistance, 5ohms I believe

 

*installed new HES today so I know that is working correctly.

-- havent pulled the fuel line from the injector to verify fuel is flowing.

 

When i checked the spark on both sides it seemed like it might be weak, I have another coil so I will swap it out and check it with that one, and get a new set of plugs.

 

Anything else that I might be overlooking? again, the bike ran great and without any issues prior to being washed.

 

[dirtrider]

Afternoons KER

 

You have covered most bases--

 

 

 

Any chance he stuck a cork or rubber plug in the back of the muffler to keep the water out? They usually blow out at starting but if tight enough it won't start or blow the plug out.

 

Otherwise check for fuel flow, then see if it will spark across a spark plug with the gap opened to 3/16" (if a bluish spark across a 3/16" gap then you have plenty of spark.

 

If still nothing found take a fuel sample & look for water in the fuel.

 

Lastly, check the cranking compression.

 

[mneblett]

One other thought -- what is the status of the battery? I don't mean what voltage does it read, I mean what it's ability to sustain a high load?

 

The weak spark is a bit of a clue -- you can have a spark show in the outside air, but not have enough juice going through to get a good spark during cranking. The battery would "appear" to be operating normally (lights the headlight, dash lights, runs fuel pump, etc.), but doesn't have enough capacity to maintain sufficeint system voltage during the heavy load of a starter motor.

 

I'd suggest either load-testing the battery directly, or watching a voltmeter while the starter is depressed. I would not be surprised to see the voltage dramtically drop from ~12.5V to 9.something when the starter is engaged.

[KER]

Small update:

Checked fuel flow at the fuel distributor, flows freely at both sides. Pulled the injectors and get fuel spray from both. Installed another coil, checked spark at both plugs and gets a good spark. Tested fired and nothing still. Anymore thoughts on what it might be?

[dirtrider]

Afternoon KER

 

Well, IF you have enough "GOOD" fuel, & a good spark, & good compression, & good air flow into the engine - all at the correct time & exhaust can get out it has to run.

 

So what don't you have?

 

You seem to have good spark, good fuel spray so run a compression test & verify it is sparking at the correct time & your fuel supply doesn't have water in it.

 

[KER]

Would a failed tps sensor prevent the bike from starting?

[dirtrider]

Would a failed tps sensor prevent the bike from starting?

 

Evening KER

 

Probably not but it sure wouldn't run worth a hoot once it did start. You are getting fuel injector spray so it has enough TPS input to call out some fuel per cranking RPM.

 

Added: try spraying a bit of starting ether into the vacuum fittings on the bottom of the TB' then see if it will bark.

 

Added 2: Have you checked for water in the fuel tank yet? There is a fuel tank filler cap area water drain hose that runs through the inside of the gas tank. If that hose is degraded or the metal fitting is rusted out the cap area can drain water into the gas tank when washing the bike.

[KER]

Would a failed tps sensor prevent the bike from starting?

 

Evening KER

 

Probably not but it sure wouldn't run worth a hoot once it did start. You are getting fuel injector spray so it has enough TPS input to call out some fuel per cranking RPM.

 

Added: try spraying a bit of starting ether into the vacuum fittings on the bottom of the TB' then see if it will bark.

 

Added 2: Have you checked for water in the fuel tank yet? There is a fuel tank filler cap area water drain hose that runs through the inside of the gas tank. If that hose is degraded or the metal fitting is rusted out the cap area can drain water into the gas tank when washing the bike.

 

you had both of my thoughts. I will get some starting fluid and see if it will at least fire. Also going to completely drain the tank and line and try some fresh gas.

[roger 04 rt]

Small update:

Checked fuel flow at the fuel distributor, flows freely at both sides. Pulled the injectors and get fuel spray from both. Installed another coil, checked spark at both plugs and gets a good spark. Tested fired and nothing still. Anymore thoughts on what it might be?

 

Hi KER,

Try the ether. Then if it runs you know your problem is on the fuel side.

 

Given that your bike was washed and now won't run, I would say that you, DR and everyone are one the right track looking for water in the fuel. If you have water in the fuel, you should see it when you pump fuel into a container from an injector head or the fuel tank output.

 

When you say the fuel flowed freely at both sides of the fuel distributor, do you mean you checked the return volume? It should be about half a gallon per minute at the return QD. (You'll need to hold the valve at the QD open or connect another QD and short section of hose.)

 

The reason I ask is that after my Fuel System Failed, with the pump running I got a good flow of fuel from the output of the tank and a good flow of fuel at the injector heads. The injector squirts were there but not very strong.

 

If you get to the point of emptying the tank to put in fresh fuel you might want to look at the internal hoses and make sure they're not cracked like mine were. In my case, the bike worked flawlessly until it stopped cold.

RB