Did I flood it? Or something else?

[hppants]

I think what is described in this thread has happened to me.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/154524-2004-wont-start/?hl=%2Bcold+%2Bstart+%2Bflood&do=findComment&comment=1094208

Last week, I took my right side control apart and cleaned the starter button contacts. I put everything back together and wanted to check to see if my "button not making contact" issue was fixed. So I started the bike (cold) 3 or 4 times, only letting it run for a second or two before killing it. Convinced my problem was fixed, I cleaned up and shut the shop door.

A week later today, I go to start the bike and it won't start. It is trying, but won't kick over. I try 3 or 4 times, spinning the starter about 3-4 seconds each time. I try again, but this time give it a little throttle while cranking (aka - the "carb" method). Now it starts but the bike is running horrible. I flick the throttle a few times and it smooths out. I can smell rich fuel coming out of the pipes - richer than a normal cold start day. No check engine light, so I gear up and go. Rode 100 miles or so this afternoon - no problems.

Did I flood it last week? Or do I have something else going on?

 

[Ignacio]

Sounds like Fast Starter Syndrome.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Did I flood it last week?

Yup...lots of raw fuel lingering around. I ride or thoroughly warm up every time I start either bike.

--G

 

[Geezer]

Yes. You should let it run at least until it drops off of the fast idle each time you start it.

 

[Chuck35]

I allow mine to run at least long enough to register 1 bar on the temp gauge. Even just to move it 10 feet.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Don't stress. You flooded it when you did the cold starts and shutdowns.

 

[RichDoyle]

Agreed. This is not the only FI bike I've had that would exhibit this behavior.

 

[hppants]

That FSS link was a good read, thanks.

I really wanted to go ride yesterday afternoon. Not too far, just 100 miles or so. I let the bike warm up to 3 bars in the garage and blipped the throttle a couple of times. The raw fuel smell was basically gone. No check engine light on the dash. No unusual sounds in the motor. So I finished gearing up and took off. As I was taxi-ing out of the neighborhood, bad thoughts were going through my head and I started having a conversation with myself.

(Bad Pants, thinking) "Are you sure you should be riding now? We do have an unsolved mystery in the engine."

(Good Pants) "True, but it's running right now and there are no lingering symptoms."

(Bad Pants) "Your nuts, what if you grenade this puppy today?"

(Good Pants) "Then I'll buy another one."

(Bad Pants) "Well allrighty then, let's see what she's got. Time to 'Go or Blow'"

Had a great ride.

 

[bwv]

Mine did the same thing a couple weeks ago... I had turned the key on and off a bunch of times without starting it.. Pump ran each time...duh... So now I leave the kill switch off.

Took a while to get it fired...it cleaned up quick though.

There was lots of unburned fuel in the pipes after... I let it warm thouroughly after....

Has been fine since. 2 rides in, no issues

 

[Mossyrocks13k]

When I did this, I learned the term "Washed Bike Syndrome"