object in cylinder
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From:
object in cylinder
Just got my first HD. A 40th birithday present from the wife, complete surprise. And within 2 weeks I have screwed it up.
Fogging the cylinders yesterday the tube came off the can and shot into the front cylinder of my 98 Heritage Softail. Any thoughts on getting it out? The bike only has 8,000 miles on it so it doesn't seem to need much work, would rather not have to pull the head but don't know what else to try. I have hooked up a hose to the shop vac to suck it out, no luck.A little afraid to put retractable metal claws in the cylinder for marking the sides, specially since I can't see it.
In many years ofwinterizing my boat, Jeep, ATV, cyclesetc I have never have this happen before. Wish I didn't have this new 'lesson' on my new bike!
Thanks
Fogging the cylinders yesterday the tube came off the can and shot into the front cylinder of my 98 Heritage Softail. Any thoughts on getting it out? The bike only has 8,000 miles on it so it doesn't seem to need much work, would rather not have to pull the head but don't know what else to try. I have hooked up a hose to the shop vac to suck it out, no luck.A little afraid to put retractable metal claws in the cylinder for marking the sides, specially since I can't see it.
In many years ofwinterizing my boat, Jeep, ATV, cyclesetc I have never have this happen before. Wish I didn't have this new 'lesson' on my new bike!
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 115
From: British Columbia
RE: object in cylinder
Somebody had this happen to them a short while ago. Try the search feature and you might come up with something. Personally I would try a shop vac or try to hook it with a piece of wire. Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 8
RE: object in cylinder
Go to a hardware store and buy a piece of clear tubing just smaller than the spark plug hole. Hook it up to a shop vac--yes, the tube will be a lot smaller than the shop vac nozzle BUT just hold the tube in the shop vac nozzle (will provide enough suction for this purpose) and put the other end in the spark plug hole. Turn the shop vac on and move the tube around in the plug hole--hope that works fo you.
Novice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
RE: object in cylinder
Maybe try a piece of double sided carpet tapewrapped around a length of rubbervacume hose? Won't scratch the cylinder and there should be enough oil on the cylinder wall to keep it from stickingto the cylinder wall. I just hope the outside of the tube isn't too slick for it to stick to.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
RE: object in cylinder
I am assuming the tube was plastic. Plastic is basicly a petroleum based product and in the heat of combustion will melt and break down. I would not start and run it unless I were riding it a few miles though. I also would not put anything down there that could posibly break off and the same thing happen again. You should be OK. If you want to check this out find another tube of the same type and hit it with a propane torch and see if it burns, it should.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: object in cylinder
The tube isn't gonna instantly turn to ash when you fire the bike up. The last thing I would want is a piece of molten plastic slamming in between a valve and it's seat. That is if she fires before the first revolution. If not, then what? The hard plastic tube might get slammed in the valve pocket. I doubt if they would do any good.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
RE: object in cylinder
Your best bet is patience and the vacuum. Another option is to to try to advance the piston to TDC , but beCAREFUL. if you get the plastic stuck between the cylinder wall and the piston you are in deeper than you are now.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: object in cylinder
Ok, so maybe I'm ignorant here but...
The actual amount of plastic in the straw is almost nothing. It certainly is not strong enough to score anything.
When it burns, it will be down to nothing and will essentially vaporize being a petrolium product itself.
Isn't that correct?
The actual amount of plastic in the straw is almost nothing. It certainly is not strong enough to score anything.
When it burns, it will be down to nothing and will essentially vaporize being a petrolium product itself.
Isn't that correct?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 2
From: Winslow, Arizona
RE: object in cylinder
This isn't going to solve your problem, but may prevent one:
Inmates in the prison I worked at melted anything plastic to form rudimentary shanks (knives). That straw may melt to almost nothingness, but it will stick to something in the process, and will reharden once the bike cools- only it will now be small enough to fit between a piston and cylinder, ora valve and seat.
Inmates in the prison I worked at melted anything plastic to form rudimentary shanks (knives). That straw may melt to almost nothingness, but it will stick to something in the process, and will reharden once the bike cools- only it will now be small enough to fit between a piston and cylinder, ora valve and seat.