TOPIC:

So I've flooded my engine, I was going to replace the plugs and try again. but realized I should probably give time for the chambers to clear out and maybe try again tomorrow.

Should I just replace the plugs? even worth trying to clean up? luckily I have a spare set.

before


after


no luck today, maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Well, definitely getting some amount of fuel.

Have you checked the spark timing with the wire colors and rotor position etc?
That still wasn't enough running to convince me the timing is spot on.

Are you giving any throttle while cranking. Sometimes you have to do that a bit.
I assume you are starting with choke, and all 4 choke flaps are intact.

So using the spark plug hole as reference, when the first cyl (far left) is at the top of the stroke, the rotor (I also assume you mean the little tick above the plate that spins)


indicator will be at the T which I assume that's correct but at the same time doesn't aline with what you said.

when the indicator is pointed at the TEC logo, the intake valve is open, hard to see how far the piston is on the stroke tho.

does this seem correct?

I've been on and off attempting all day, various throttle positions. manual says to be all the way open for when it is flooded, so I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm seeing the same puff of mist Scirocco saw. this time In the 2nd day 2nd attempt vid. It looks like it's coming form #4 intake boot. Could the "lock up" be hydrolock? Maybe too much fuel?

it's definitely way too much fuel, based on how many times I've tried to start it up without it running.

currently watching the bike with the plugs out , trying to let the sun warm it up for me lol.

it's definitely way too much fuel, based on how many times I've tried to start it up without it running.

I actually think the smoke came out of cyl 3.
hard to tell, don't want to put my face in it.

currently watching the bike with the plugs out , trying to let the sun warm it up for me lol.

www.nwsca.com/gpz550/KZ550%20Base%20Manual.pdf

There is a supplement covering your bike... Maybe this will help.

From what I can see, the ignition rotor appears to be correct.

When the "F" mark lines up, the point of the rotor should be pointing toward the pickup with the blue and black wires.

starting to think at this point it has to deal with my new harness but at the same time it works good as far as I can see. that's the biggest variable that has changed from when it was running.

Does any wire need to be larger than 18 gauge coming off the off the main harness? All the electricals work, horn, (can't really check speedo and tach atm) lights, turn signals, and was getting spark from the plugs. small detail but one of my start attempts triggered that brake failure switch somehow, so that works too.

This morning I put fresh plugs (perfect gaps) and attempted a start with full throttle, prime, choke. still only able to get the half start.
pulled the new plug after a start attempt and it looked clean still but smelt of gas. Waited a bit and gave another try and hear a low tone bubble/burble noise, kinda like a Harley that has its idle set too low.
Gonna give it a break for a couple of days.

I have spark, I'm definitely getting gas, and I don't have a compression tester but when turning the engine by hand I feel it. also the ignition is aligned properly. Outside of the battery issue, and oil burning, last month it ran great.

If you guys have any other ideas I'll try them, but might just open up the carbs and re do the top end.

I would drain the carbs, pull the fuel tank off, plug the vacuum line for the petcock, clean the plugs, and try to run on starting fluid (Ether). If it won't run on that, then it's electrical or mechanical, rather than a fuel issue.

Do you have experience running a bike on starting fluid? If not look for some videos to get an idea. You usually won't need any choke with the starting fluid, and maybe a little throttle.

If the bike runs and revs up normally with starting fluid, then the electrical is probably fine, and the engine mechanicals are good enough to at least start. So you'd then be concentrating more on fuel.

I'll give it a shot, not too familiar with starting fluid but definitely heard of it.

what % of ether should I get? I see a variety

I don't think it matters much. I didn't even know there were different % amounts.

I've never tried this, but it's my favorite: