2001 800A engine flood... help...

[su1kil]

Hi all,
I just got a vulcan 800 2001 model, my first motorcycle. I accidentally put the fuel tap to PRI, thinking that it was for OFF (as from the MFS manual). In a few minutes, I heard the dripping noise, and the fuel was coming out of some kind of a thin drain hose under the motorcycle. I pulled out the manual, and found what PRI was for, put it to ON, and tried to start. It would not. Even the engine locked at a point, and the starter could not crank it. The fuel kept coming out of the hose, and eventually out of the exhaust pipe. It stopped after 2 hours. Following the manual, I opened the throttle while starting the engine. It worked.
The dealer is saying, check the oil level to make sure that the fuel did not go into the crank case.
Here are my questions I hope you guys and ladies would help..
1. where is the thin drain hose connected? Is it normal little bit of gas coming out of it after the engine stops?
2. how can I check the oil level? Should I put the bike vertical to do that? Is it easy to tell the level through the circular window?

Thanks!

[Svetlana]

Heya su1..
I am not at all mechanically inclined, but perhaps the mods can move this to the Mechanic's Corner forum where you're bound to get some answers
GL!

[vulcan500rider]

Originally Posted by su1kil

2. how can I check the oil level? Should I put the bike vertical to do that? Is it easy to tell the level through the circular window?

Thanks!

There are a couple of ways to check the oil level. I use a large mirror and hold it next to the bike. Warm the bike up for a couple of minutes. Stand the bike up straight and check the level. Sometimes you can put the bike on the side stand (still holding the mirror) and put the bike upright while watching the window. You can actually watch the level rise as the bike gets up straight.

I have seen others say to use a small hand held mirror (like a long dental mirror) available from your local auto parts store. Dont' think my eyes are good enough for that.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by su1kil

Hi all,
I just got a vulcan 800 2001 model, my first motorcycle. I accidentally put the fuel tap to PRI, thinking that it was for OFF (as from the MFS manual). In a few minutes, I heard the dripping noise, and the fuel was coming out of some kind of a thin drain hose under the motorcycle. I pulled out the manual, and found what PRI was for, put it to ON, and tried to start. It would not. Even the engine locked at a point, and the starter could not crank it. The fuel kept coming out of the hose, and eventually out of the exhaust pipe. It stopped after 2 hours. Following the manual, I opened the throttle while starting the engine. It worked.
The dealer is saying, check the oil level to make sure that the fuel did not go into the crank case.
Here are my questions I hope you guys and ladies would help..
1. where is the thin drain hose connected? Is it normal little bit of gas coming out of it after the engine stops?
2. how can I check the oil level? Should I put the bike vertical to do that? Is it easy to tell the level through the circular window?

Thanks!

Don't worry about checking the oil for added gas because it's in there for sure( how much doesn't matter ,any amount is bad). Just do an oil and filter change and not worry about it anymore. The hose your talking about is hooked to the back of the stock intake and no it's not mormal to have gas leaking out of it every time you stop the engine. When you put the petcock in the prime position you flooded the engine (loaded up through the carb) Gas filled up the cylinders to the point that gas ran past the piston rings into the crankcase and also through the exhaust valves and into your pipes it also ran out through the intake to the point of running out through the hose your asking about( check the air filter and see how soaked it got from the gas). your whole intake got full of fuel so take it apart and check it out on the inside.

[su1kil]

Wow.. Thanks for all the helpful information and tips. I feel like having a big family support, and I appreciate it much. I did use the mirror and was able to check the oil level, and now I understand better what happened with the PRI situation. Thanks!

[su1kil]

Hi Woodchucks800,
Thanks for the information. Can I pick your brain a little bit? I think that I had the fuel tap in the PRI position by mistake for 5 minutes, then back to ON. The engine was not running at that time. Soon I found the gas falling from the drain hose. I am thinking, what about the float needle in the carb? Shouldn't it be able to block the access fuel, even with PRI position? I thought that the PRI position is equivalent of the ON position of Rebel...
If I put it to PRI for minutes, would the same problem happen again?
Well, this is my first bike, and I got a used one, so I will need to learn a lot...
Thanks...