[flogler]

My 96 goldwing aspencade got caught in a bad flood where I work. Although it was in motorcycle parking the drains backed up in the lot and my bike was under water. I was told the seat was under water. I checked my side saddlebags and water came out when I opened them. Although this was a few hours later, the bike wouldn't fire. It would crank over but thats it. I had exactly 215000 miles on the odemeter. I pulled the starter(it finally did stop cranking) and when I took it apart, water came out and the armature is shot as well as the brushes (only had 10000 miles on the starter rebuild).
I am currently in talks with the my job as to if I will get any money for repairs. Of course I had just dropped my full coverage insurance 6 weeks ago.
Question, I have parts coming to rebuild the starter but I know that will only fix the cranking portion of it. I'm sure it still won't start. I have fresh oil in it and the old oil didn't look too bad so I 'm confident not much water got in the engine. What can I look at and where will be my coil packs or ignition system for my wires be should I not get spark? Thanks for your help-I can't afford to replace this bike at this time.

 

[flogler]

Thanks for all of your replies. It was freshwater(rain) that was the issue. I don't think it was under for more than 5 minutes. Carb area is dry and shows no sign of water intrusion. Other than starter and alternator height, even though the seat was wet I dont think it stayed that high for long. I did bump the engine just to see if would crank. On the commutator, one of the copper pieces came out that is why its unrepairable. I do have a new starter kit coming. Oil drained for a week and this weekend I will hand crank it over. It will be at least another two weeks before I can spend more time on it. Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[flogler]

New info that I got yesterday from witnesses. Bike seat got wet(I always have a full cover on it at work) because someone(employed at work and driving company vehicle)drove through the water at high speed and caused a wave to go rushing at my bike and others. So the water over the seat was temporary and one other bike(another employee) is in the shop for repairs and two little scooters got knocked over due to the wave. Other cars including a corvette that wasn't in the signed flood zone but still got damaged are in the shop. I was told yesterday that due to no insurance I would be getting no money. So at this point I will get the bike running and turn my receipts in to a higher authority. Again thanks for your input.

 

[flogler]

New update: Got the parts for the starter and now solenoid is bad(the one with the red and blue insulators). Bypassed that solenoid and engine cranks real good(pulled inspection cover for timing belt to verify). Not getting any spark at plugs. I checked fuses and swapped relays with no luck. How difficult is it to get at the coils? I cant even see them! How many coils are there and do you think all of them would go bad at the same time? Thanks for your assist. I am out of town again for another week so it will be that long before I can look at it again.

 

[flogler]

Side stand, nuetral and cruise light all come on. Haven't pulled the upper fairing yet as I am out of town till july. Have a new solenoid on order as I do know that was bad.

 

[flogler]

Question: reverse was working before all this happened, now with key on and reverse lever up I did notice no light on my dash (R). Is this because bike not running or could this be the problem? I guess that makes sense that bike won't start if it thinks it is in reverse!

 

[flogler]

Update: Finally have more time to play with the bike and getting frustrated too. Got a new starter solenoid as old one definitely bad. Engine now cranking with starter button. Checked my readings at ecm connector and all are within specs. While the connector was off, it did show water intrusion. Put another ecm on (ebay) and now I get spark at each cylinder(pulled plugs and blu out any moisture on the plug also). Bike is still not running. Pulled fuel pump line before the filter and I get fuel while engine is cranking. Engine still won't run. What is left to check? Could engine compression be that low that it wouldn't run at all? I just find that hard to believe! If it ran rough I would understand. Hate to give up on a bike due to the company's negligence!

 

[flogler]

Yep, I tried a shot of starting fluid and it really wanted to run. Happen to look at fuel gage and it is showing full when it should be a 1/4 tank. Tank is full of water. Now, how do I drain my system

 

[flogler]

I got the two drain screws loose(one for each carb) but I take it that the water doesn't come out of the screw but from another place attached to a hose? Is there two hoses then? I did see some come out on the left one. I guess I was waiting for it to run down the front of the engine.

 

[flogler]

My insurance was 700 a year and have had full coverage since I bought it in 2000. Not one claim by me but my family members is what screwed me into dropping or being dropped. I don't plan on selling bike but instead ride it till she locks up or blows up. I bought the bike with 19000 miles on it and ride 375 miles a week to work rain or shine. I refuse to give up on a ride due to water intrusion that was entirely not my fault. Had I drove it into a lake or something that would be a different story. I have AAA platinum coverage so I'm covered in that respect and I won't ever be taking this bike on any trip more than 100 miles one way. If after all this and carbs will need to be rebuilt that isn't bad seeing how I have never touched them in the 215000 miles on her.

 

[flogler]

Water is out of tank and tank is clean. No rust just shiney steel. Also got word from my work that they will pay me 500$ towards repairs for the bike. I took it. I have right now 351$ invested in parts and about 20 hrs of my time. Carbs are drained and fresh 93 octane in tank. Hope to have it running this sunday and be riding back to work on Tuesday. Never realized how much I miss riding. Going on five weeks now.

 

[flogler]

Bad news. I thought I was helping by blowing air in to the line by the valve at the fuel tank filler. It did, blow air and water out of bowls but in the process, I lost one of the drain screws as it was too loose. I found the screw and saw it long enough before it dropped and disappeared. I assume no spring behind it?

 

[flogler]

I lost one of the drain screws for the carb. Apparently they are only available if you buy the bowl too. After many hours of searching on the internet (must put search words in correctly) I found a place in NC that sells the two screws with the orings for 14$ and includes free shipping. I ordered them this morning and they have been shipped. Meanwhile I have put back together what I can and verified that I have fuel flow after the valve(up by the tank) while cranking. Hopefully later this week it will be running.

 

[flogler]

No drains but the wells have been cleaned out and I have spark. I'm confident that once I get the drain screw in it will fire up.

 

[flogler]

I got the screws in today for the carb drains. I will work on it Sunday as that is my day off from work. I've waited 6 weeks so two more days won't hurt and at this point I don't want to rush it at the end. I have fresh oil and filter. Although the engine has been cranking (to check for fuel and before I knew I had water in the tank) I have been watching my oil just in case there was any leakage that would have let water into the engine. It is good to go. Crossed fingers for Sunday and I will let u know the outcome then. Again, thanks for your support!

 

[flogler]

Carb drain screws are in(what a pain) and oil is good. Been cranking but no luck. It fired a couple of times but with starting fluid only. I drained the carbs again and got liquid out so I know I'm getting something there. The slides are working on the top end and when I move the throttle I can see liquid (i'm assuming gas) is going in. But not running yet and I'm getting frustrated!

 

[flogler]

I am getting fuel to the bowls. I drained both in a can and it lit it. It burned completely. So maybe not getting fuel to the idle jets? I do see fuel coming out at the top when I twist the throttle. How much should I expect to pay for a carb rebuild? I don't want to attempt that myself. That"s what it seems to need. Seminole powersports isn't to far away and but they won't be open til tuesday. I'm out of ideas. anyone else have anything. I'm afraid I may burn up my starter so really don't want to continue to crank on it.

 

[flogler]

Great news! I hot wired the fuel pump to force more fuel to carbs and bike is now running. It runs rough at an idle but I think is still from crap in the system. I had it running up to operating temperature and then put sea foam in the tank. I turned it off and fired right back up. How long before the sea foam reacts?

 

[flogler]

I appreciate all the help and words of encouragement. I am so relieved to have it running again. Its been 6 weeks. Tomorrow I will finish installing plastics and take it for a ride. I will be taking it to work on Tuesday

 

[flogler]

So I took the bike to work in the pouring rain yesterday as I was eager to ride it. My gas mileage was horrible. Took a half tank to go 75 miles. Is this still looking like a carb issue or also engine issue? After the long ride it would idle but too low to keep running for more than a few seconds. It still fires up right away, but feels like the engine is really struggling to keep the speed. I guess it willl definitely be going through carb cleaner the way it is sucking the gas.