86 VFR only running on 2 cylinders

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by lotus8, Aug 19, 2010.

  1. lotus8

    lotus8 New Member

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    Hello this is my first post I bought an 86 VFR it wouldnt start. cleaned the carbs and it started right up, but only the front 2 cylinders are running. The back plugs are firing just fine. Also the coolant reservoir is bubbling like air is pushing into it. I know very little about motorcycles and was wondering if i can get an idea of what it might be and if it is worth fixing.
     
    lotus8, Aug 19, 2010


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  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    you need to do a proper compression test. maybe a gearhead friend has a guage.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Aug 19, 2010


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  3. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    A proper compression test will verify that the mechanical components of the engine are in proper working order. Nothing else matters without compression. Bubbling coolant could be a clue or just air leftover in the system. Everything is speculation and a waste of time without a proper compression test.

    Let me say it one more time - compression test.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Aug 19, 2010


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  4. erollman

    erollman New Member

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    for a shade tree mechanic, stick your finger over the spark plug whole and give the bike a few winds with the starter. see if it pushes your finger off or not. if you don't have a manual for the bike, there is one on this forum. if you can't find it, let me know and i will help locate it.


    EDIT: I found it. Here it is........... http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=...FjYWMtYmYzY2E5MGNmZGFi&hl=en&authkey=CKyG3pIC

    hope it works. look in the back at the troubleshooting guide
     
    erollman, Aug 19, 2010


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  5. lotus8

    lotus8 New Member

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    will do thx i will post the results.
     
    lotus8, Aug 19, 2010


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  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    putting your finger over the hole won't show a bad head gasket. even poor compression will still blow your finger off the hole. It will only prove a catastrophic failure like dropped valve or piston with a hole in it.

    You can finger your motor if you like, but if it blows your finger off, you'll still need a proper compression test.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Aug 19, 2010


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  7. erollman

    erollman New Member

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    LOL! I should have know that Tink was gonna knock my old school style(or dumbass thinking), whichever way you want to look at it, into the dirt. See my earlier post for the link to the manual.
     
    erollman, Aug 19, 2010


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  8. lotus8

    lotus8 New Member

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    thx dude a guy was trying to sell the owners manual for 30 bucks
     
    lotus8, Aug 19, 2010


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  9. erollman

    erollman New Member

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    paper ones are nice, but the electronic ones are free
     
    erollman, Aug 19, 2010


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  10. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

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    I should scan mine in ....for the 86-87 700
     
    crustyrider, Aug 19, 2010


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  11. erollman

    erollman New Member

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    heck ya man. if its not on the list, submit it. somebody will use it some time
     
    erollman, Aug 19, 2010


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