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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: chocker on April 30, 2012, 09:40:16 AM

Title: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on April 30, 2012, 09:40:16 AM
Hi,
I was working on the bike and when I removed the battery I noticed there was a disconnected tube or line on the lefthand side of the bike right where the end of the battery over flow tube was. The line must be about 1/4 inch. It has two clamps, one on either side of where it seems to be disconnected. There seems to be a metal tube within the line. It doesn't look like it is broken but just disconnected. It doesn't seem to affect anything but I would like to know what it is and reconnect it if necessary. I will try to post a picture as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Mark
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: Arnie on April 30, 2012, 09:49:41 AM
Mark,

It sounds like the fuel tank overflow tube.  Check to see if there is a bare nipple at the back of the tank.

Arnie
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on April 30, 2012, 10:45:11 AM
Quote from: Arnie on April 30, 2012, 09:49:41 AM
Mark,

It sounds like the fuel tank overflow tube.  Check to see if there is a bare nipple at the back of the tank.

Arnie

The overflow hose is transparent and it is still in place on the tank. This is a black hose running on the lefthand side and below the battery.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 11:43:24 AM
Could it be the battery vent hose?

On my 86 the fuel overflow tube was black and the battery vent hose was transparent. Possibly mixed up?
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on April 30, 2012, 12:28:41 PM
Quote from: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 11:43:24 AM
Could it be the battery vent hose?

On my 86 the fuel overflow tube was black and the battery vent hose was transparent. Possibly mixed up?

Actually I found it because the battery breather hose was touching it. It is running alongside the lefthand side of the bike.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 02:17:57 PM
 The only other hose that I can think of on that side, around that location, would be the vacuum line to the ignition box.

On mine there are no other hoses in that area.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on April 30, 2012, 07:42:54 PM
Quote from: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 02:17:57 PM
The only other hose that I can think of on that side, around that location, would be the vacuum line to the ignition box.

On mine there are no other hoses in that area.

What exactly would it do if it is disconnected. I am able to start and run the bike. I see there maybe a little bit of backfire lately.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 10:01:51 PM
 If I understand correctly, it works like the vacuum advance can back when cars had distributors. At cruise or light load (high vacuum) the TCI unit will advance the timing an additional 10 to 15  degrees over the advance curve programmed in the unit. This helps fuel economy and throttle response. Heavy acceleration/load, (low vacuum) the unit will not provide the additional advance in order to prevent detonation.

The bike will start and run without it hooked up, but you will have a vacuum leak if the hose is not capped. That could cause a backfire?
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 01, 2012, 12:51:33 PM
Quote from: 56 CHEVY on April 30, 2012, 10:01:51 PM
If I understand correctly, it works like the vacuum advance can back when cars had distributors. At cruise or light load (high vacuum) the TCI unit will advance the timing an additional 10 to 15  degrees over the advance curve programmed in the unit. This helps fuel economy and throttle response. Heavy acceleration/load, (low vacuum) the unit will not provide the additional advance in order to prevent detonation.

The bike will start and run without it hooked up, but you will have a vacuum leak if the hose is not capped. That could cause a backfire?

Thanks for the help everyone. I will try to reconnect it and see what happens and if there is an issue I will disconnect and plug it so there is no leak.

Thanks,
Mark
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: andyb on May 01, 2012, 01:05:57 PM
Start the bike and stick your finger over the end of it.  That'll tell you right away if it's a vacuum line or not!  More likely it's just a drain/vent that's been routed someplace unusual.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 01, 2012, 05:31:53 PM
Quote from: andyb on May 01, 2012, 01:05:57 PM
Start the bike and stick your finger over the end of it.  That'll tell you right away if it's a vacuum line or not!  More likely it's just a drain/vent that's been routed someplace unusual.


It's wierd though. It has a clamp on either side of where it is disconnected and within the hose there seems to be a metal insert. It is clean where both ends meet. I will try block it when it is running to see for sure.

Mark
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: fj11.5 on May 02, 2012, 02:24:13 AM
sounds like the vacume advance line, they have a plastic joiner in the middle    ,  (popcorn)
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 02, 2012, 11:49:18 AM
Quote from: fj11.5 on May 02, 2012, 02:24:13 AM
sounds like the vacume advance line, they have a plastic joiner in the middle    ,  (popcorn)

I was able to inspect it more clearly this morning and it is the vacuum advance. I see that it runs into the ignition box and I felt the air being pulled in. Should I plug the end that goes to the carburator.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: Mark Olson on May 02, 2012, 12:00:55 PM
try to hook it back up to the advance unit. :good2:
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 02, 2012, 04:14:41 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.

It seems to be the original ignition box. I'm sorry but I don't understand " See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in." What do you mean by that.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 02, 2012, 04:35:13 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.

Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by " See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in."
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 05:52:32 PM
Connect a vacuum line to the vacuum port on the ignition box (early models) or the boost sensor (later models) and see if it will hold a vacuum.  By that, I mean if you suck on it, does it hold the vacuum or do you have to keep sucking. 

I really hate having to describe that....

DavidR.
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 02, 2012, 05:55:54 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.

Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by " See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in."
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 02, 2012, 05:57:49 PM
Quote from: chocker on May 02, 2012, 05:55:54 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.

Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by " See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in."

I would like to apoligize for the same entry over and over. I was having trouble with my computer and it was staying in the same session therefore it wasn't showing my new post.

Sorry,
Mark
Title: Re: Disconnected line 1986 FJ1200
Post by: chocker on May 07, 2012, 05:09:52 PM
Quote from: chocker on May 02, 2012, 05:57:49 PM
Quote from: chocker on May 02, 2012, 05:55:54 PM
Quote from: SlowOldGuy on May 02, 2012, 01:53:46 PM
Do you have an aftermarket ignition?

The diaphragm in the ignition box may be blown out.  See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in.

Also, I think the plastic "joint" you are referring to is a vacuum check valve.  It's purpose is to prevent an intake backfire from rupturing the vacuum diaphragm in the ignition box (it isn't always successful).

If the ignition won't hold a vacuum, plug the line going to the carb to stop the vacuum leak.

DavidR.

Sorry for my ignorance but what do you mean by " See if you can pull a vacuum on the ignition side before you plug it back in."

I would like to apoligize for the same entry over and over. I was having trouble with my computer and it was staying in the same session therefore it wasn't showing my new post.

Sorry,
Mark

Well I reconnected the vacuum hose and the bike runs much better. Once up to running temp it idles great and steady and no more backfire.

Thanks everyone for the help,
Mark