883 won't start
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Connecticut
883 won't start
I parked my 2005 883 in November after topping off and treating the fuel, and it's stored in my unheated garage, with varying temps. DUring a severe cold snap we had here in Connecticut last month, it was dripping fuel from the carb bowl hose. I drained the bowl, turned off the fuel and put the cover back on.
Now a month later, it cranks and cranks and cranks but shows no attempt at lighting—doesn't even try. I pulled (and replaced) the plugs. No difference. The old plugs smelled like fuel, but weren't wet.
History: Not 100 miles before parking it, my shop cleaned its gummed up carb (stuck needle valve). It ran fine, until I parked it and until it started dripping from the bowl. Without pulling the carb apart, I'm stumped. I've owned this machine since new and always treated the fuel, stored it every winter and never had issues until now. Anybody have any theories?
I appreciate the advice
Now a month later, it cranks and cranks and cranks but shows no attempt at lighting—doesn't even try. I pulled (and replaced) the plugs. No difference. The old plugs smelled like fuel, but weren't wet.
History: Not 100 miles before parking it, my shop cleaned its gummed up carb (stuck needle valve). It ran fine, until I parked it and until it started dripping from the bowl. Without pulling the carb apart, I'm stumped. I've owned this machine since new and always treated the fuel, stored it every winter and never had issues until now. Anybody have any theories?
I appreciate the advice
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
>>>suspect the needle valve
As in it's not getting fuel? When it was gummed up before, it POURED out the overflow when it tried to run, now it's not even showing any attempt and there's no fuel spewing. I don't even smell fuel for the amount I'm priming it.
As in it's not getting fuel? When it was gummed up before, it POURED out the overflow when it tried to run, now it's not even showing any attempt and there's no fuel spewing. I don't even smell fuel for the amount I'm priming it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
I suspect that it was stuck open and when you shut off the petcock the level dropped closing the needle valve and after sitting like that it has now stuck closed and that's why your not getting any fuel to the engine.
What I would do is;
1- close petcock and pull fuel line off carb and open the petcock, if fuel does not flow out of hose it's a problem with tank venting, petcock, or hose. If fuel does flow then
2- hook hose back up to carb and remove float bowl and manually move float/needle valve, if fuel does not flow you have an obstruction between the fuel inlet and the needle valve, if it flows the needle was just stuck so reinstall float bowl and try starting.
Note: be very careful when maneuvering the float, linkage and needle valve, they are very fragile and any bending of the linkage spring can cause friction and the needle won't seal properly.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 422
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From: Connecticut
Thanks for that. I appreciate it.
It did sit for several weeks with an empty bowl. Question I have is how long does it take to refill the bowl? A few cracks of throttle? I've heard it can crank for a long time once it's been emptied. And, I assume I can open the bowl drain again and expect fuel to come out (or not if it's not getting fuel). Am I thinking right?
It did sit for several weeks with an empty bowl. Question I have is how long does it take to refill the bowl? A few cracks of throttle? I've heard it can crank for a long time once it's been emptied. And, I assume I can open the bowl drain again and expect fuel to come out (or not if it's not getting fuel). Am I thinking right?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Once the petcock is opened and if the needle valve is fully open it only takes a few seconds to fill the bowl, as the bowl fills the float moves up pushing the needle valve into it's seat stopping the flow.
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just a random thought but could there be something wrong with the petcock. not sure on the 05 but my 03 petcock ran off a vacuum hose. Could something have happened to the vacuum hose and the petcock is not opening.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
Here is a video on float/needle valve problems.
Here is an article about float/needle valves.
https://www.fix.com/blog/motorcycle-...ht-adjustment/
Here is an article about float/needle valves.
https://www.fix.com/blog/motorcycle-...ht-adjustment/
