Did an oil change in my F4i, now it won't start...

OSUrid3r · 11-02-2007, 10:02 PM

So I did a routine oil change in my '02 F4i with 12,000 miles and zero problems. Put 3 quarts in, started the engine to fill the filter, then topped it off to get the level between the indicators. Started the engine again and it idled really rough and at about 1000rpms. I thought maybe I overfilled it or something. Drained the oil and filter, put 3 new quarts in, and tried to start the engine again. This time, zero combustion.

So I pulled a plug and found it covered with oil. I looked inside the airbox and didn't see any oil at all... its totally clean. So I took all four plugs out, cleaned them up, tested them for spark by holding one on top of the engine and hitting the starter, then put them back in... there's spark, but no combustion.

What did I do to my bike? This is one mega mystery...

iaresev · 11-03-2007, 12:56 AM

I'm not familiar with the bike but possibly there is a limp mode or similar? I know many cars if run with too low oil levels will disable themselves until some sensor is reset.

Check in your manual about this.

Veefer97 · 11-03-2007, 09:03 AM

It is not the oil change. Are you getting fuel to the cylinders? Does the fuel pump run when you use the starter?

OSUrid3r · 11-03-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veefer97

It is not the oil change. Are you getting fuel to the cylinders? Does the fuel pump run when you use the starter?

Fuel delivery is definitely working; the plugs are wet with gas after attempting to start it.

Gilitar · 11-05-2007, 04:07 PM

Disconnect the battery for a bit and then reconnect. Then try to start it again.

Tuffguy #2 · 11-05-2007, 04:32 PM

<assuming you are new to bikes which may be wrong>

Did you fill it with the bike level or on the kickstand? Meaning, the sight glass only works if the bike is upright.

Smooth7 · 11-05-2007, 05:59 PM

pretty sure an F4i holds closer to 4 quarts than 3.....

OSUrid3r · 11-05-2007, 10:22 PM

Its level on a rear stand. Yeah, it holds about 3.5qts if you change the filter... you have to fill it then crank the engine to fill the filter, etc, then finish filling it. I haven't been able to finish it yet... but I got new plugs today and hopefully I can get out to the garage early enough to see if they work tomorrow morning.

OSUrid3r · 11-12-2007, 03:41 PM

Well, two and a half weeks later its finally working. I cleaned out about 32 liters of oil from the cylinders then cranked it for awhile and it finally started. So I went out riding with no fairings and it was great! Thanks for the help

hondajunkie · 11-12-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUrid3r

Well, two and a half weeks later its finally working. I cleaned out about 32 liters of oil from the cylinders then cranked it for awhile and it finally started. So I went out riding with no fairings and it was great! Thanks for the help

How the hell did all that oil get into the cylnders?
Unless u REALLY overfilled the crankcase.......

yamirider · 11-13-2007, 08:33 AM

You should have been blowing warm fronts of blue smoke if you had that much oil in your cylinders.

Tuffguy #2 · 11-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUrid3r

Well, two and a half weeks later its finally working. I cleaned out about 32 liters of oil from the cylinders then cranked it for awhile and it finally started. So I went out riding with no fairings and it was great! Thanks for the help

32 liters? The bike is only a 0.6L bike! LOL

mikem317 · 11-13-2007, 12:59 PM

32 liters? Maybe 3.2 liters?

OSUrid3r · 11-13-2007, 07:41 PM

Well.. maybe it was more like 7 fluid ounces, but it seemed like the entirety of BP's oil refining industry at the time