I had the bike in the shop for a "Tranny recall" recently and had them add some goodies during the process. Yeah, they smooth talked me and it didn't take much I'll tell ya.

They installed a Yamaha "speedstar" jet kit as a complement to adding those 10.25:1 high compression pistons to it. Besides my obvious starting issues (as in the starter is too weak - because no one thought to tell me there would be those "issues" she's pouring fuel into the carb at what I think is an excess rate. One can smell raw fuel all the time and there has been an increase in carbon building up on the exhaust tip. My mileage went to the pits. I might be getting 25 miles per gallon. Let's put it this way. I used to ger around 200 miles a tankful. Now I might be gettin 120-140.

And the reason for the topic is I was told that all the fuel being poured into it might be causing the hydrolocking condition I seem to now be getting after the work was done. I had no such issue before the work. I feel gut sick when I think of the mistake I made letting them talk me into add-on parts that are turning into a nightmare.

Anyone else have a hydrolock problem after they put bigger jets in?

Hydrolock... Or, hydrostatic lock is serious... You would have to have a LOT of fuel in that cylinder... (I had it once in my boat... when the cooling manifold leeked into the cylinder...) Fried my starter!

The easiest way to diagnose it, is to pull the plugs and turn the motor over... If anything but air comes out... it's a possibility... But, man, oh man... you'd be talking about a cup of liquid to lock those puppies up!

I'm thinking you just have a weak starter and you should be looking for a Worrier's starter as a replacement...

Just a thought, but it may be as simple as the float is sticking allowing excess gas to be dumped in. have you had someone check your float level?

StarCruiser06-
I don't know much about the technical aspects of this hydrolock condition. Not being a mechanic puts me at somewhat of a disadvantage in areas such as these.

But what you say makes sense to me and I am hoping once the starter is added they will jet it down to get me more mileage and all will be fine once again.

The fuel is definitely dumping into the carb at what I deem an alarming rate though. Being on two wheels for as long as I have (over 3 decades), I have never EVER seen nor heard of such massive amounts of fuel being a good thing unless at the drag strip for pinks.

So, I guess we'll wait-n-see what the shop comes up with once they get the starting issue resolved and can work on my fuel prob.

I'll update when I get her back - which is lookin like today maybe.

Ride Safe,
Phil

The jets have nothing to do with the fuel going into the carb; that is controled by the float and float valve. Even if the float level is to high the fuel should not run into the cylinders and lock things up; there is a drain that runs the fuel overboard onto the ground.
The starter is weak for the size engine to start with and therefore there is a compression release; when youu push the starter button a"compression release solenoid" is activated as well as the starter. That solenoid opens the valves a little to relieve the compression. Without the compression release the starter will not turn the engine over, SO CHECK IF THE COMPRESSION RELEASE IS WORKING. I do not know if the high compresion pistons will overpower the compressionn release or not. You may need a heavy duty starter.
If the jets are not right and the engine is way too rich then you are wasting fuel and the mileage stinks! When the engine is too rich it doesn't produce the power it should. You must realize that anything you do to make the engine more powerful (bigger bore, higher compression) is going to make it more thirsty.

Clifford

Clifford-
Thanks for the info. The problem begins at the start button so your comment about lousy starters to begin with is true enough.

I just got it back from the shop. My starter was changed out to the WARRIOR starter and it cranks fine now. That's solved. The compression release seems fine. It turns freely now with the upgraded starter.

The fuel was an issue as you know and when I got it back I smelled less raw then before so they adjusted something. It runs good. Still has the kick in the pants so now with the starting issue solved the bike is sound now and I shouldn't have to worry out on the road.

Ride safe,
~Phil

Oh, I forgot the best part of the story.....they did NOT charge me for the starter. I am impressed. But, I got it back dirty as all get out with fingerprints all over it. And a vacuum line clamp was still off (from before) and they still hadn't corrected it with another clamp. I'm lucky they did anything to make it right, I suppose. They coulda told me tough U know what - fix it yerself we didn't break anything.

Good you found someone who's honest enough. Stick with the one who doesn't look at you like .

Greyphart

I agree with whats been said, if that counts for anything... If you had Hydro lock you couldn't start the bike and your starter doesn't have enough balls to blow the head off, so your ok.
You have a simple jetting problem, they have you running rich, so take your time and read this and you will be fine, its good thing to have the jetting, its a bad thing when its out of whack.

You need to know how to do it so you can trouble shoot it and know whats going on with your bike.
There are those times your going to want the dealer to do it, but with a little confidence and effort, you can do a carb with no problems,
your going to need to read a bit on them in the tech section and then get into it.

Have someone reliable check the float bowl level I was amazed at how bad things can get when that level is off. We're talking millimeters here with a float tang and a needle that have about 1.5mm of play. Find the upside down method!

eblack wrote:
Have someone reliable check the float bowl level I was amazed at how bad things can get when that level is off. We're talking millimeters here with a float tang and a needle that have about 1.5mm of play. Find the upside down method!

I appreciate the recommendation. It WAS jetting afterall - as it turned out. Got my mileage back after they placed a new "pilot" jet in it. I did notice less throttle response though after they changed it. I guess one can't get the best of both worlds all the time. It's either SPEED or gas ECONOMY. No in betweens - DARN IT!

HF-I will look into your link. I want what you said was available to me. Knowledge on the workings of it so I can do it myself. I do have someone locally who can help. I will look into that as well.

PS, To ALL who have "chimed in" so far to help me out - THANKS! Much appreciated, bro's

Ride Safe.....

~Phil