VFR 1000R Motor just dies

I think he means it as well!!!

Will look at that.

Tested the tank vents and they seem to be well clear of any obstruction. No breathing problems.

Took the chance today and went for a blast around the neighbourhood. She stopped once, but at the beginning of the ride when I suspected that she wasn't fully warmed up.
Restarted and was fine from then onwards.

 

How did you "test" the tank vent?

 

I would listen to Jamie. I'm not trying to degrade anyone here but from what I have seen nobody on this site knows more about the first gens than Jamie. I haven't seen a post from him that wasn't on the money. Just my $.02

Jamie: that will be the normal promotional fee that we agreed upon earlier. J/K

Hope you get your bike fixxed.

 

Jamie,

Something that I want to know and I think could benefit others here as well. How do you test the pulse generators? What equipment is needed to test it?

I agree Jamie is the VF Guru (for lack of a better term) he has taken the time and learned the VF design and improved on it in many ways. I owe him one for helping me more than once get out of a bind.

Now about the vent thing. I went to gravity feed and the vent hole was blocked it made my bike feel like it was running out of gas. I cleared the vent and the problem went away as well. It seems to work and that the fuel pump isn't needed. I am going to take if off again and put a air compressor for the horns in its place. Thanks for the tip.

 

Oh man, don't say that. I'm just another guy like you, I just happen to have a lot of experience with these bikes. I'm wrong sometimes too!

The pulse generators are tested by checking the resistance at the plug. See you Honda manual for the specific details (you do have a Honda manual, right?).

I noticed that the original poster, Jpmc86, has not responded yet. Are you still out there? I think it would be really helpful if you were able to give us some feedback about what you've discovered.

 

Hi, I'm still out here, in fact I rode my bike today and I still have the same problem. I removed my fuel cap and cleaned the tank vent with brake cleaner until it flowed out the vent hole in a stream. Just like before, I rode it about 15 minutes and it acted as though it was running out of gas. The fuel tank has been drained and cleaned, installed new fuel filter, replaced fuel line. It still acts as though it's running out of gas. Any other ideas on what the problem might be.

John

 

Did you check to see if it had gas when it died? There is a drain screw in the bottom of the carbs that you can unscrew and gas will flow out. Does yours do that?

 

I was surfing the web and found a site just for the /VF1000F and /VF1000R.

Its located at www.VF1000.com scroll down page and first thing listed is "Fuel pump woes"...

 

To reiterate what's already been said - You need to check the following as quickly as possible after it dies:

1) Is there fuel in the float bowls? If not, does the pump cycle when the key is first turned on?
2) Is there spark? If not, what is the resistance of the pulse generators?

The answer to these questions are critical in determining what's going on with your engine. Remember, an engine needs three things to run. We know it's got compression (or at least can assume) because it runs ok at first. Compression is not something that comes and goes easily. If there is fuel in the carbs then you can rule out fuel delivery problems (that situation is rare anyway, the pumps and/or relays either work or they don't).

If you've got all three at the point when the engine dies then you really DO have a problem on your hands!

 

Hi Dilman, I will do what you suggest, however I want to point out while riding, I ran it hard. In fact I ran it to redline in 2nd/3rd gears. If there was a fuel starvation problem, it should have drained the carbs then. Just the same I will do exactly as you suggest.

 

Hi Jamie, thanks for the tips, I have removed my fuel pump and now it gravity feeds. I will check the carbs in the manner you suggest, however I need to point out, that once it dies. The motor attempts to start, just seems as though it's not getting gas, but I know it's getting spark. I have to find out how strong a spark. Either way I will be back if the problem persist. I believe my fuel delivery problem is not the issue, but retracing troubleshooting steps is always a good idea.

 

Hi all, my motor dying woes continue. Just now I started my bike, it was running as if it was running out of gas and died. It quickly restarted and died again, so I checked the carb drains, sure enough there was fuel. I checked the other drain and there was fuel. One important note, this usually occurs when the tank is over half empty.I noticed when the tank is full it runs fine once it nears half a tank or a little less, it seems to starve for fuel. Right now the tank is around half full, I will top it off and see what happens. I plan to remove the tank, gravity feed the motor and see if my coils get hot while the motor is running. At the same time I will clean my electrical grounds. Another thing I noticed when I last had the tank off the bike. I turned the petcock to fuel and gas did not flow, it began to flow after I turned it back in forth a couple of times, then it flowed well. I'm wondering if my petcock is faulty. I have run a can of sea foam in the tank to clean the system. I will check the petcock again, if it repeats the same fault, I will replace it.

John

 

I read the Fuel pump article at www.vf1000.com and the Vf1000/VF1000R cant get enough fuel to run the motor with a regular gravity feed .. I had a VF750F that would run fine until the fuel pump would get warm and the it would start cutting out...Replaced pump and all was fine...I replaced my fuel pump with a small electric automotive pump...

 

That's weird that your tank isn't giving gas. But the floats are full. I would test the pulse generators. Even change the plugs (or check them for fouling.) Do you have enough oil in there?

 

I got down on my knees...
Put mouth over the rubber overflow/breather hose that comes out near your right footpeg, and blew. *Hangs head in shame that this might not be the correct procedure*
Was clear and air flowed freely. Also a small amount of fuel was then at the top of the fueltank keyhole area. I'm guessing that means it is able to get air in!:redface:

 

Hi, I have changed the plugs and yes the oil is at the correct level. I might have to drop it off at the dealer to check the pulse generators. You and I know the dealer is going to cost major bucks. And I don't feel comfortable talking with two Honda dealers in the area. They are not familiar with the VF1000R/F, of course this is my opinion. Still troubleshooting

 

Hi again, I think I may have found the problem with my fuel starvation problem and ultimately the motor dying. I was attempting to start the motor, it lit once and died immediately. I quickly checked left carb drains and there was fuel but it appeared to barely drain. The other carbs were dry, no fuel at all. So I suspect the petcock is faulty. I still intend to gravity feed the carbs and bypass the petcock. Because of the age of the bike, a new petcock is still a good idea. I hope I have found the problem with everyone's help. I will keep you guys posted.

 

If they are dry trace the line back up checking for clear hose all the way up to the tank. Does your tank have a vacuum cutoff? If not I would skip that and check the pet cock.
Here is a picture for your enjoyment. Check the line to make sure its not kinked.

 

Hi all, I ordered a new pet cock this morning. I think there is some internal blockage severely restricting flow. I will also install all new gas line, it can't hurt. I will keep you guys posted as I continue to troubleshoot. Thanks for your input

 

Go to the above website. They have the shop manual for your bike for DL. It is full of great info. Although I have a 750 it is alot like mine and I found it helpful with my dead cylinder. p,283 talks about testing the pulse generator and it is so easy looking that you should try it.