Engine won't fire using prime (petcock), or starting fluid

[gorrbert]

My GS1100GL has a new head gasket, head that was machined flat, all new fasteners tourqued to spec, dealer cleaned carbs, new plugs. I have verified that each coil is sparking each plug. The timing is by the factory shop manual specs. It has good compression.

But when I crank the engine with starting fluid in the air cleaner, NOTHING! I removed the air cleaner element first. Also nothing when the petcock is set to prime. I know that the carbs get gas when prime is set because after I set prime I drained each carb and got the same amount of gas out of each carb. I watched gas come out of the fuel line, disconnected from the carbs. I am getting a new petcock, because it won't react to vacum. I think it dried out from storing it improperly.
The bike ran great in 2006 before I put the head back in shape. The valves should be fine. Valve clearance was done in 2006, and should be fine because the bike has been of the road since 2006.The plugs don't get wet and the cylinerds look dry.
HELP!!!!!

[Steve]

Sounds like you did just about everything necesary except adjusting the valves.

Mis-adjusted valves (particularly tight ones) will make the engine hard to start when cold.

.

[twiggy2cents]

if its flooded then starting fluid might not do anything, try cranking it with the throttle wide open and see if it starts after a while

[chef1366]

Did you get the coils switched?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. gorrbert,

"dealer cleaned carbs"...really?

Not to be a pessimist, but sometimes you just have to do it all, the right way, the first time. Click the link below and pay particular attention to the "Top 10 Common Issues" and other helpful restoration tips. Yes, it's the "mega-welcome".

READ ME-Basic Info-Vendors-Links


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Big T]

I agree with Cliff - did your dealer charge you $300+ for that carb cleaning?

You have gas in the carbs, sounds like it's not getting into the cylinders

Are your spark plugs wet with gas after you try to start it?

[SqDancerLynn1]

You checked the coils, did you atually check to see if you had spark at the plug?

[twiggy2cents]

check your plugs. I have fouled mine so bad it washed the oil off the cyliders and it couldnt get enough compression to ignite the overly rich mixture. You cure this by holding the throttle wot and cranking for a while until it starts(if it starts)

[spyug]

+1 on everything said.

I wanted to add one word of caution. Avoid using starter fluid in a bike. It is too combustable and if over used can blow the head off or at the very least crack it. I have seen the results.Put some pump gas in a spray bottle and use that if you must.

It does sound like your carbs are not right, however, as even hard starting bikes will usually go with some choke.

In addition to the suggestions you might consider doing the coil relay modification. My bike did start but always with full choke, now, after the mod, she starts with minimal or no choke even in the colder weather. Worth thinking about.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,
spyug

[Steve]

I will agree that the BEST place for the starting fluid is on the store's shelf.
It is generally not needed, and most people use it incorrectly anyway, only compounding the problem.

Another possibility for your engine not starting could be idle position on the carbs. If the idle speed adjustment screw is too far out, the carbs will be pretty much totally closed. I'm not sure that even in the 'choke' position they might get enough air to run. Try turning the idle speed screw in a couple of turns, but be ready to hit the kill switch if the engine races first thing.

.