engine fuel starving after switching to reserve

817 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Classic, Jan 5, 2008

sourdough

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2008

First I have a 2005 800b vulcan. My bike has a problem sometimes after switching to reserve sometimes(three times sofar). After a few miles, 5 to 15, the engine will start sputtering like it is running out of gas then will start running normally again. The second time I rode it home without filling up (about 15 miles) and drained the tank thinking there might have been some water or crud in it. The gas looked normal. About a month later it happened again and didn't want to restart. Before I came to a complete stop I shook the bike from side to side a few times and it started running again. I talked to a dealer and he thought that some earlier bikes had a recall for a bad fuel valve but I checked on the internet and couldn't find my bike listed for any recalls. Any body have any suggestions?
Thanks for any responses. Sourdough

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Alizard

· #2 · Jan 3, 2008

sourdough said:
Before I came to a complete stop I shook the bike from side to side a few times and it started running again. I talked to a dealer and he thought that some earlier bikes had a recall for a bad fuel valve but I checked on the internet and couldn't find my bike listed for any recalls. Any body have any suggestions?
Thanks for any responses. Sourdough

Sounds like you are running out of gas..... seriously. The fuel is not draining over to where the petcock can pick it up.

Have you removed the petcock and made sure there is no crud in the bottom of the tank?

Also, make sure the feed path is clear for picking up fuel into the lowest inlet going into the petcock.

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WeBeToyz

· #3 · Jan 3, 2008

+1 ^^ - sounds like you are not getting the fuel you should be. If you haven't already, I'd remove the petcock, disassemble it and make sure it is clean, all the hoses are clear, etc. Remove the fittings in the tank (if possible) where the hoses connect and clean them. Sometimes the screens around those are dirty.

Verify the hoses aren't kinked when you reinstall them. My bike is pretty tight in this area which is why I buy the OEM hoses - they just fit better being pre-formed.

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zedx11

· #4 · Jan 4, 2008

yep, check the intank filter on the valve.

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mike toon

· #5 · Jan 4, 2008

Why not connect a test hose while it's running, switch between "on" & "reserve" and watch/compare flow.

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sourdough

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 4, 2008

Thanks for the ideas! If I get a chance I will pull the tank in the morning. I want to change my plugs anyway. I did check the flow when I drained the tank and couldn't tell any difference. It just seems to be sometimes so maybe I will find something in the tank.

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cruiserone

· #7 · Jan 4, 2008

sourdough said:
First I have a 2005 800b vulcan. My bike has a problem sometimes after switching to reserve sometimes(three times sofar). After a few miles, 5 to 15, the engine will start sputtering like it is running out of gas then will start running normally again. The second time I rode it home without filling up (about 15 miles) and drained the tank thinking there might have been some water or crud in it. The gas looked normal. About a month later it happened again and didn't want to restart. Before I came to a complete stop I shook the bike from side to side a few times and it started running again. I talked to a dealer and he thought that some earlier bikes had a recall for a bad fuel valve but I checked on the internet and couldn't find my bike listed for any recalls. Any body have any suggestions?
Thanks for any responses. Sourdough

We expirienced the same prob on my wifes 2005 800b . Must be a known issue with that special bike. Any comments or sugestions from riders with the same model are appreciated.
Cheers

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Classic

· #8 · Jan 5, 2008

On my 800A I had a problem with the actual vent mechanism in the gas cap and solved the problem by disassembling the gas cap and removing anything that didn't have to do with the latch. The other thing some have done with success is to take the vent hoses for the tank and route them into the right side cover storage area getting them out of the wind. Theory is the wind blowing across the ends of the tubes affects the venting and causes the tank to vacuum lock. Since the 800's have no fuel pump and rely on gravity flow, any restriction or blockage in the venting is bad.

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