Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => Accessories and Modifications - C10 => Topic started by: ZOT-ZG on June 16, 2011, 09:40:42 AM
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Here is my plan to prevent hydrolock. Since one of the problems is a failed fuel valve I will be installing an electric fuel cutoff valve into the fuel line. This valve is normally closed until it is energized. The valve is wired to a switched circuit so fuel flows only when the ignition is on. This mod is on my list after a rewiring of the auxiliary circuits. Anyone out there who can tell me why I’m FOS please let me know.
Thanks!
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A few have done this mod. Some with good results and some with not. The problem is starving the bike for fuel, make sure that that the flow of the valve is enough for these beasts. Good luck
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It has been tried with varying success. Some of the solenoids have a tendency to starve the carbbies on fuel. Link to solenoid you intend to use? Engine heat also may play a role in the longevity of the device.
Looks like Snarf beat me to it.
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Plus it's real hard to get a good gravity flow through the valve.
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Too bad no one has come up with a mod that allows the fuel selector valve on the petcock to have an "Off" position.
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Too bad no one has come up with a mod that allows the fuel selector valve on the petcock to have an "Off" position.
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You mean other than Bergmen's, right? Converts the auto petcock to manual with on, off and reserve positions. Works great. 19 guys will say "but what if you forget to turn it off" and, well, what can I say.
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Here is my plan to prevent hydrolock
Dude, just part with the bowls for a few days by sending them to SISF for the overflow tube treatment. You won't be sorry.
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Dude, just part with the bowls for a few days by sending them to SISF for the overflow tube treatment. You won't be sorry.
+1
Steve's bowl service costs $70 plus around $10 (maybe) to send them to him. AND you know they work. No failures, no starving the bike for fuel, no tinkering, no chances. Just results. Why screw with gimmicky trials when there's a fool-proof solution?
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Too bad no one has come up with a mod that allows the fuel selector valve on the petcock to have an "Off" position.
Oh but they have, its called a Pingel fuel valve.
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Too bad no one has come up with a mod that allows the fuel selector valve on the petcock to have an "Off" position.
/quote]
You mean other than Bergmen's, right? Converts the auto petcock to manual with on, off and reserve positions. Works great. 19 guys will say "but what if you forget to turn it off" and, well, what can I say.
Crap, Don't tell Dan I forgot about his mod :banghead:.....He'll never talk to me again. ;D
Thanks for the reminder. :thumbs:
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Dude, just part with the bowls for a few days by sending them to SISF for the overflow tube treatment. You won't be sorry.
Still you need a shut off valve that works, I don't like the idea of my expensive fuel leaking out on the ground.
I think the elecrtic solenoid is a great idea, if it works.
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I have the electronic fuel valve, or should I say I tried it. I had issues with lack of fuel flow and may have contributed to vapor lock (not the same as hydro-lock). It did not fix the problem of leaking float valves. It is gathering dust somewhere in my garage.
The proper prevention of hydro lock is over flow tubes. Nothing else will prevent that, not a manual or electronic valve or fuel filters or other inline fuel interruption device.
Get overflow tubes and maintain the automatic stock petcock. JMHO.
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Befor the crash some one posted a fuel pump system that they had installed. I believe that prevented hydrolock.
Jack
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Oh but they have, its called a Pingel fuel valve.
Yep, no runs, no drips, no rebuilding, no hydrolock.
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Still you need a shut off valve that works, I don't like the idea of my expensive fuel leaking out on the ground.
I think the elecrtic solenoid is a great idea, if it works.
You mean a device that when the bike is on, fuel flows and when the bike is off the fuel stops? Kind of like a properly functioning OEM petcock?............
Not trying to be an ass or throw cold water on your idea. I love seeing guys fab solutions to problems, but in this case your solution isn't fixing anything. When the solenoid fails due to heat/age/whatever and a float sticks open, your engine will hydrolock. The solenoid is the same thing as a vacuum petcock, only electric not vac operated. It doesn't provide any hydrolock protection whatsoever. It will eventually fail too. $20 of "expensive gas" is a whole hell of a lot better than $$$ to repair a hydrolocked engine!! But do what you want.
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Yep, no runs, no drips, no rebuilding, no hydrolock.
Not true at all. A properly maintained automatic petcock controlled by the vacuum of the engine is far better then a manual petcock and a manual petcock does not prevent hydro lock, actually it makes it more prone to hydro-lock. It is on all the time before and after you start and shut off the engine. An automatic is shut off the exact second the engine is not running, much better then manual. Both can be left in the ON position so that really does not prevent anything anyway.
Only over flow tubes can prevent hydro lock.
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Only over flow tubes can prevent hydro lock.
There it is!!!! I can attest to the reliability and functionality of Steve's over flow tubes. I have a 2006 with only 5,000 miles on it when the orginal petcock bit the dust. I ordered a new replacement from Murphs. Wanta know what? That one is bad too!!!!! I awoke one morning to find at least a quart of fuel all over the garage floor. At least my engine is safe thanks to Steve!!!!! :chugbeer: :thumbs: :hail:
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Not true at all. A properly maintained automatic petcock controlled by the vacuum of the engine is far better then a manual petcock and a manual petcock does not prevent hydro lock, actually it makes it more prone to hydro-lock. It is on all the time before and after you start and shut off the engine. An automatic is shut off the exact second the engine is not running, much better then manual. Both can be left in the ON position so that really does not prevent anything anyway.
Only over flow tubes can prevent hydro lock.
There is an OFF position. If it is OFF, no fuel can flow, therefore no hydro.
As to a vacuum petcock being "better" is entirely subjective - each has their benefits. If you have CRS disease, don't get a manual petcock, and the overflow tubes would be good insurance.
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CRS? I used to know what that meant, but can't remember now :o Steve
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CRS? I used to know what that meant, but can't remember now :o Steve
I KNOW! I KNOW! :yikes:
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There is an OFF position. If it is OFF, no fuel can flow, therefore no hydro.
Well DUH! Of course OFF is OFF. I do not disagree with that. Maybe you are assuming that I am comparing a manual petcock to a defective automatic. I am comparing a properly maintained ,working automatic petcock to a manual.
Now, we all know it only take a few seconds of fuel flow and a leaky float valve to potentially cause a hydro lock. Remember only a FEW seconds is enough to fill a cylinder.
Ok , so you and I have a leaky float valve, I get only my bike, set the choke , turn on the key start the bike and then fuel flows and I wonder why the bike is billowing white smoke. This is exactly what has happened to me in the past before I got over flow tubes. No hydro lock but it runs like crap.
OK now you get on your bike, turn on the fuel flow, set your choke, pick your nose and scratch your ass and start the bike. You just hydro locked your engine. Why? Because every time you turn on that petcock to start the engine, stop for 2 seconds for gas, or shut the engine off, anything, you are always flowing fuel when I am not. Do you understand now. There is no possible way you are you faster at turning OFF and ON the fuel flow then an automatic petcock is. Only a few seconds is all it takes and even though you are perfect at remembering to turn off the fuel when you stop for a soda, stop for gas or even stall the engine you are still flowing fuel when an auto is not.
Manual will not help, it makes it worse. It has absolutely gives no insurance against hydro lock.
The ONLY insurance against hydro lock is over flow tubes.