Difficult start after refueling

[Schweintechnik]

I've noticed that after the last several refuelings, the bike just won't start right up, like it does on a cold start. I can hold the starter button down for just a couple seconds or several seconds, and the engine never catches. Always, as soon as I let go and hit the starter button a second time, it fires right up.

I haven't tried a warm start that wasn't at a refueling, so I'm not sure if this is related to refueling or related to a warm start.

Any ideas?

[fredthead]

Dave, a couple quick questions. 1) Have you had the tupperware off recently and 2) after you fill up does the fuel guage read full?

[kevincook]

Dave,

I think this is a pretty common event. Mine does that some times also, particularly on hot days. I have read on the forum that some people suggest twisting the throttle and releasing it before you hit the start button.

I just let go and hit the start button a second time and it always fire right up just as you describe.

Somebody here probably has the answer to why it does this.

Good Luck,
Kevin

[donn]

It's not just at the gas station, it also happens at the liquor store. Not to worry just another LT thing :)

[hallzee]

I only had what you describe happen to me one time at refueling, and that was when I "overfilled" just a tad, by going up into the filler neck. Usually I stop when fuel is level at the bottom of the filler neck...

Perhaps you're slightly over filling?

[lnowell]

Mine does the same thing and I don't think it has anything to do with fueling. A fairly fast restart after shutting her down will bring on the problem (in hot weather only IIRC) but not all the time.

[dshealey]

Are you filling it just to the bottom of the filler neck insert, where the hole that the filler nozzle goes through is? If you are filling it to the top of the filler neck, it is overfilled, and can cause liquid gasoline to be forced down the vent line to the vapor cannister, and plugging of this line with liquid fuel, or worse, flooding the charcoal in the cannister, can cause a multiple of problems. That vent line and cannister should never have liquid in them, only fumes.

[Offwego]

Sounds like a canisterectomy might be in order....

[atrovarious]

Mine does the same thing. Hot days and I have a habit of over-filling. I'll have to play with it a bit. Sounds reasonable enough.

[Schweintechnik]

Dave, a couple quick questions. 1) Have you had the tupperware off recently and 2) after you fill up does the fuel guage read full?

Interesting question. I just had all the fluids (incl. DOT4) changed at a local dealer that I don't trust very much (I thought fluid change would be a 'safe' process, but they mucked that up by breaking off the clutch bleed screw and then charging me an extra $200).

The gauge has never read full after a fill-up. I bought the bike used with 15k on her.

I'm pretty careful not to over-fill. I never leave fuel in the bottom of the cup - I put 1" of the nozzle thru the hole, fill to the click, withdraw 1/2", fill to the click, and shake the drips off in the cup. Occasionally I'll get more than drips, but that always drains out of the cup.

And if I can figure out how to get the blasted rubber bit seated well enough under the right side tupperware so that my fuel door will open all the way, I'll be a happy guy.

[vernvernvern]

I've noticed that after the last several refuelings, the bike just won't start right up, like it does on a cold start. I can hold the starter button down for just a couple seconds or several seconds, and the engine never catches. Always, as soon as I let go and hit the starter button a second time, it fires right up.

I haven't tried a warm start that wasn't at a refueling, so I'm not sure if this is related to refueling or related to a warm start.

Any ideas?


I have noticed mine sometimes doing that same thing. I hate hitting the starter twice, so I open the throttle just a tad and hold it while cranking the first time and it's started EVERY time. Now it's a habit I do when it's hot. :bmw:
Vern

[fredthead]

Dave, I'm thinking along the same line as David Shealey that your vent tube to the cannister may be partially blocked causing a difficulty to start but not fully blocked that would cause poor running and the gas gauge to read 1/4 to 1/2 when full.

[rando]

When you unscrew the filler cap, do you hear air sucking noise? I have last couple of fillups and it would seem that is an indication of canister time, as my service rep agreed. Last night, it died on me while making a turn and has a couple opther times while stopping, with clutch squeezed. So after that, I unscrewed the gas cap a bit and took the key out, thinking that would let it vent. Seemed to work, but it did run rough for a while. I'm sure there is some reason to NOT do this. cap is on but not screwed all the way down. Hot weather certainly has brought some weird things to light.

I think I'm going to attempt the canisterectomy this evening.

Randy

[kflanigan]

If memory serves (and it often doesn't) there are two vent lines in the area, one for the overflow drain and the tank vent. If these two were reversed and a splash of fuel went into the overflow drain, it could cause a situation like you describe with the canister. Just a thought.

[tonyscompany]

It's just the Nature of the Beast!!!!!!!!!!

Mine also does it even though I already performed a Canisterectomy many Years ago (2003 Model with 30,000 miles). I also did the Rhine West Chip and Exhaust Performance Upgrades. I have Two friends one with a 1999 and another with a 2003 also and they all exhibit the same Issue on Warm or Hot Re-Starts.

As posted by another just turn the throttle a Half Turn before engaging the starter button and No More Problems.

[cfell]

Then there is the "idle control" servo.... old, hot, dirty can bind..... oh wait, that's on my Ford, GM, Japenese...etc...

[schwabee]

Not to worry, the starting difficulty after shutdown on hot days is nornal for fuel injected engines, not just LT's or motorcycles for that matter.

[HarvRead]

This is a hot restart problem and is not related to fueling (both my LT's did it). You have already hit upon the answer, if shut off for 5-15 minutes on a hot day use a series of short bursts on the starter. Works every time for me.

[vernvernvern]

This is a hot restart problem and is not related to fueling (both my LT's did it). You have already hit upon the answer, if shut off for 5-15 minutes on a hot day use a series of short bursts on the starter. Works every time for me.

Common sense tells me that if I start the engine on the first try as opposed to the 2nd or 3rd burst, then my starter should last much longer. That's why I open the trottle just a tad on the first try when it's HOT and it starts.

That also tells me it's a fuel item.

Just my .02! :bmw: