I Accidentally Left the Petcock in Prime

[Way]

It was left that way for about a week now.

How do I make sure there will be no engine damage if I start it?

Do I remove the spark plug and smell for gas?

Do I check for a gas smell in the crankcase?

[Water Warrior 2]

Oops!! Don't start to worry just yet. Check your oil level to see if it is over filled due to gas in the crankcase. Check your gas tank to see if the level is down noticeably. So far so good we will hope. If the carb is in good shape there may be no leakage into the engine and you should be good to go. And yes, smelling the crankcase will help determine any leakage of gas. If you have any doubts about diluted oil due to gas then an oil change will do the trick.

[Way]

Thanks WW (Bob)!

I'll check the oil later on when it's light out. Haven't been able to ride since the end of July so have been starting it once a week or so. Lately it's been getting hard to start so I've been priming it. Almost time to put it up anyway, hopefully I can squeeze a ride or two in before I have to change out oil, etc.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Way

Haven't been able to ride since the end of July so have been starting it once a week or so.

Definitely NOT a good thing!

An excerpt from "Motorcycle Handbook" by Kevin Maher & Ben Greisler :-

Once you have put it in storage, LEAVE IT ALONE. You can drool on it (as long as you dry it afterwards). You can rub body parts against it (as long as you don't scratch it or remove too much wax. You can get in your leathers, sit on it and go "Vroom.....Vroom" while spitting on yourself. But don't start it just to listen or to "warm the motor". Idling it won't warm the motor very much, probably will not charge the battery, definitely won't do anything for the drivetrain and will most likely leave some condensation in the exhaust to rust your precious pipes and mufflers. LEAVE IT ALONE UNTIL IT IS PROPERLY REMOVED FROM STORAGE.

(The capitals are theirs)

[Way]

Hi Alan,

I probably should clarify that the bike has not been put into storage yet. I had a "mishap" at work and have been unable to ride. I have not actually done anything to prepare the bike for winter storage yet. I am able to ride again and was hoping for a couple of rides before I actually put the bike up for storage.

I checked the oil level and though it appears a little high, it has been that way since I got it. But to be safe, I am thinking I will drain the oil and just use regular oil both for now and when I do actually store it. Then in Spring I will drain it and put in good synthetic oil.

[blaine]

That's fine to use a cheaper grade of oil for now.Just be sure it's not "energy conserving". :cool:

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Way

Hi Alan,

I probably should clarify that the bike has not been put into storage yet. I had a "mishap" at work and have been unable to ride.

Not riding for a considerable time is the same as "storage". Whether it's "stored" or "unridden" you're still doing negative things to a bike that is not getting ridden enough to get the engine up to temperature & the battery recharged.

[Gz Rider]

...

[Way]

Originally Posted by blaine

That's fine to use a cheaper grade of oil for now.Just be sure it's not "energy conserving". :cool:

Thanks Blaine. Cheaper is the word here. I'll make sure it's ok for wet clutches. :cool:

[Way]

Originally Posted by alantf

Not riding for a considerable time is the same as "storage". Whether it's "stored" or "unridden" you're still doing negative things to a bike that is not getting ridden enough to get the engine up to temperature & the battery recharged.

I see what you're saying. :2tup: I was thinking in terms of the GZ manual's definition of storage where the crankcase gets filled to the filler hole, etc.