VFR 1000R Motor just dies

Thanks Dilman, you have been a terrific help along with Jamie and others. I will do as you suggest and see what happens. I bet a replacement pulse generator is quite expensive. I will keep you guys posted

 

Hi Dilman, this is directed at you and Jamie mainly. I checked the price to replace the pulse generator, it only cost $65.52, would you suggest replacing it based on the fact that mine could be the original part. If the replacement part last as long as the original, to me this is cost effective. What do you guys think?

 

pulse generators are $65.52 each

 

We don't even know if yours is the problem yet? Its not advisable to start changing parts until we know they are broken. And if they are not broken you are stuck with new parts you can't return. I would tell you to buy a voltmeter one that measures ohms. Its not important that you know how to use one. I don't even know but I got one. And measure the pulse generators when the bike dies according to the shop manual that I mentioned. Did you download it yet? If not I can help you get it from me if needed. But now that you know where to get some that's good in case yours are bad. Keep it handy and test the generators. I think that there is only one but I might be wrong.

 

I'm not sure if 'expensive' is your biggest problem, 'available' might be though. It's been a while since I checked, let me know if you run into any trouble.

Yes, please let us know what you find out.

 

The thing you have to watch out for while testing OHMS is make sure whatever you are testing doesn't have power to it or you will smoke your meter.

 

I agree throwing parts at a problem is a poor way to fix it. I read through my manual last night and I will check the pulse generator and make sure all power is off before using the multimeter. I guess those pulse generators are pretty much bulletproof, I haven't read much on them in the forum. Once again I want to say thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I'm keeping a log and hopefully the information can help someone else. I will keep you guys posted on my progress, thanks.

 

Chasing your tail is more like it. My truck would die for no reason and I thought it needed a turnup turns out it was a knock sensor. I did a complete tune up before I figured that one out.

 

Hi Dlman, today I had time to remove the fuel tank, I discovered while draining it, that I was not able to drain out the last gallon of gas or so. No matter how I positioned the tank, it would not flow out the petcock. I blew through the hose and I could hear air inside the tank, but the last gallon or so would not flow from the petcock. If I added gas, it would flow and then stop once it reached a certain level. Also I removed the plugs, the back two were black as if they were not firing, the front plugs were a perfect light brown in color. I have even more troubleshooting to do, I will keep you posted. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate you and the rest of the guys.

 

A little fuel left in the tank is normal. There will always be some sloshing around in there. How do you know that it's a gallon? A small amount of fuel can seem like a lot, but a gallon is approximately a quarter tank full. That's a lot.

I noticed something in one of your previous posts - I do not think that you checked the tank vent properly, in fact you did not check it at all. You checked the drain hose, not the vent. The vent is part of the cap itself. You need to open the cap and spray it down with carb cleaner (not brake cleaner!). I usually put a rag in the hole to make sure crud doesn't wash down into the tank.

Try this - put some fuel in the tank and run it again until it dies. When it does, pop the cap open. Sometimes you can hear air rush in, other times not so don't use that as an indicator. Try to start the engine again. Remember, the carbs are dry so it will take a few tries (I don't think I need to tell you that).

Your tank will drain all of the fuel out no matter what. vf1000.com is wrong, I've run my VF1000's with gravity feed for years with no problems at all. The carbs are not under pressure, the fuel in bowls just lays there. If the carbs are getting fuel, which they WILL with a gravity feed system, the engine will run. Your tank is not allowing fuel to get out, that is your problem. Find the source of this and you've found the solution.

 

Hi Jamie, I actually removed the fuel cap, from the tank and sprayed brake cleaner in the vent hole until it streamed out. Brake cleaner was all I had to use at the time, but it cleaned out the vent just fine. I never measured the amount of gas left in the tank, it was a little under half full when I started draining it, I only got out less than a gallon. I used a two gallon can, my purpose was to see if the petcock was part of the problem. I understand you can't drain all the gas out, but I had far to much left in the tank which I estimated to be a gallon or so based on the weight and peering into the tank itself. Having said that I did check the cap vent properly, I blew air into the hose to check for a possible obstruction in the petcock itself. I even removed the petcock and checked it out, it was very clean with signs of a little wear. Not to mention I also refer to my Honda manual, which outlines how to check the tank vent, the manual also says the fuel tank capacity is 6.1 U.S. gallons. That was another reason I estimated the fuel to be a gallon or so. Again, I want to thank all you guys for your help.

 

I Think the reason Jamie said not to use brake cleaner was because it is really hard on seals and such. Brake cleaner will degrade some metrials in a hurry.

 

Hi I understand that, it was the only cleaner I had at the time.

 

I am having the same problem on my 86 vf500. After I ride is semi hard it just seems to not be geting gas and dies... I give it about 5 seconds on the starter and it fires up again.

Although ive only had the bike for a few days I like it and that is the only problem ive had with it . It has only happened 2 times so far since ive only put about 30 miles on it.

 

VF1000R Motor just dies follow-up

Hi all, I want to follow up on what fixed the problems associated with "the motor just dies":

1. I thought it ran out of gas

2. Topped off tank and it ran fine to somewhere near half tank and quit again

3. Removed tank to check for a blocked fuel filter, filter was good

4. While tank was off, turned fuel petcock to on and there was no flow

5. Turned petcock back-n-forth a few times, gas begin to flow

6. Suspected bad pet cock and installed a new one

7. Re-installed tank, motor ran great and then seemed to run out of gas

8. Checked carb drains and discovered fuel was not reaching carbs #3/#4

9. Removed tank again and removed and the cleaned carbs. I found nothing that would block or restrict flow, however there was plenty of brown dust. I removed in cleaned all the jets with Chem 12 and compressed air. I filled the main carb feed fuel line with chem 12, checked the carb drains and all four bowls had Chem 12 draining out. At this point I knew the carbs were good and not the problem.

10. I then removed all the carb fuel feed hoses and blew them out with compressed air. The carbs were re-installed and this time I carefully routed the fuel line to ensure fuel would run down hill from the petcock.

11. I went back to the tank, turned the petcock to fuel and there was no flow at first but it begin to trickle out. I knew there was a restriction in the petcock or the tank feed tube. Mind you that I had the tank off and drained and I never saw any particles of rust exit with the draining fuel.

12. I used compressed air and cleared the tank feed tube, what little gas left in the tank flowed freely. I used a bright light to examine the inside of the tank closer. I saw light surface rust. Then I used a thin inspection mirror for a closer look and discovered heavy rust scale near the petcock area and tank feed tube. I tapped the bottom of the tank with a rubber mallet and the stuff flaked off.

13. I continued with tapping and filled the tank with water. Drained the tank through the service cap and there was enough large chunks of scale to fill a cup came pouring out. I filled and tapped the tank six more times and scaled continued to come out.

14. Went to home depot and bought a gallon of muratic acid, filled to half full with water, poured in the gallon of muratic acid and let it sit for two hours. Before poring out the acid, I put on safety glasses and rubber gloves, this stuff is quite potent. Large scale rust poured out and leaving the inside of the tank very clean. I filled and rinsed the tank five more times, the final rinse included a cup of baking soda to neutralize the muratic acid. Drained and poured in rubbing alcohol, then drained and sucked out remaining water and alcohol using a wet dry vac.

15. Re-installed tank, topped off with premium fuel, turned petcock to on and gas quickly filled the see through glass fuel filter. Waited a bit, checked the carbs drains and presto there was fuel. Thumbed the starter and it started with no hiccups. I rode around my neighbor hood and as I gained confidence I ventured out and put on thirty miles. I'm satisfied the problem is resolved with the help of all who came to my rescue.

 

Your Welcome. Safe riding.

 

Motor just dies follow up

Hi all, after cleaning the carbs and then the tank with acid, all is well. It took a while to nail it down because it would intermittently die and stall. After replacing all fuel lines, fuel filter and fuel petcock, I finally detected rust in the tank. Since then I have added a Honda 900rr rear shock and Yoshimura slip-on carbon fiber mufflers. I raised the mufflers a couple of inches from the stock location and I think it looks better. The exhaust has a deeper tone and it seems more responsive to throttle input. As for being faster or making more power, I can't honestly say but I can say I did not lose any power. But the sound and looks were worth removing the stock mufflers. Thanks to all those who helped me along the way.

 

So you haven't had any problems since you cleaned the tank?

That sounds like you have started doing stuff to make it yours. That's cool. But do you have any photos?

 

I have a tank here that will force me to switch to reserve at about half tank. Near as I can tell, the internal line for the main feed has a hole rusted in it, and it loses prime. The reserve also will not drain all the fuel either, it gets to about quarter tank and stops flowing as well. I also have a spare tank that I am using now, it does not exhibit this behaviour at all. I can put less than a gallon into the completely empty tank and run the bike. Putting one gallon in will allow me to use main setting for a bit as well. Maybe your tank also has a hole in the feed tube inside?

 

I had the same problem on my vf1000f and bypassed the fuel motor. I also took out the petcock to clean it. I also made sure the fuel line was running down for gravity work.