Water in tank

[smithbrl]

09 Ultra Classic 16000 miles Stock except for Jackpot slip ons. I filled up yesterday and moved away from the pump to park at the curb by the store to get something to eat. As I pulled up to the curb the motor died and would not restart. Called my dealer and they walked me through the Diaglostic Code retrieval process. It showed P1001 and P1003-indicating System Relay Coil Open/Low and System Relay Contacts open. He had me check all fuses and swapped system relay with both other relays but still wont start. There is no spark to the plugs.

I towed the bike home last night. This morning I went out and put a plastic tube down to the bottom of the tank and and pulled some fuel out. It was milky and would not burn. When I pulled the line out of the quick disconnect at bottom of the tank a little water comes out. I'm assuming the line to the fuel injector body is full of water as well as the fuel filter.

Any suggestions on how to get the top plate off the fuel tank without the "cam ring remover/installer tool"? Also how can I check for water in the fuel injector body? Why is it not firing?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Dave63]

Drain the tank and put an additive like Seafoam in the tank. It sound's like you got a batch of garbage fuel.

As for draining the "Injectors", whatever is in there will pass with a few sputters, but it's important you get it out as soon as possible to avoid corrosion or pitting.

Drain the tank, add Seafoam, replace gas with fresh gas. A set of fresh sparkplugs wouldn't be a bad idea either, but not necessary.

[SCHMIDTYS]

Water in the fuel has nothing to do with the no spark situation . The codes you have indicate a different problem and the no spark just after refueling is probably just coinsidence . Those codes may have set do to you trying to force start the engine and are probably historic codes especially since you tried swapping the relays and checking the fuses . The fuel in your tank is still an issue as you said it looked milky and some moisture came out of the fuel line when you disconnected it . Getting the fuel out of the tank is another issue . I've got a couple methods I use : A 12v electric fuel pump with hoses on both ends , one end goes into the tank filler and the other end goes into a remote tank . Also I use an old f.i. fuel line that I cut the end off that goes to the fuel rail and plug that into the tank bung then I jump the f.i. fuse to the batt. B+ to get it to run and drain the fuel into a remote container . This works best as it gets the tank pretty empty . Both methods get around having to get the lock ring off the tank filler .

[smithbrl]

Thanks for the replies ya'll.

I drained the tank yesterday. I used a siphon hose. Turned out to have about 2 gallons of water in the tank. I wanted to replace the fuel filter so I had to take the top plate off (I used a brass rod and a hammer) and remove the fuel pump/filter assy. I pulled the tank and completely drained it. Then I added about 1 gallon of fresh gas and sloshed it around and drained it again. I put a fan blowing down into the tank to help dry it out.

Today I picked up a new fuel filter,set of spark plugs and a can of seafoam. I'll get the tank put back together tonight hopefully and install it back on the bike tomorrow. If it still won't spark I guess I'll take it to the dealer.

[XDixiecratX]

, my 2 cents is,
Never never under any circumstance presure wash a Harley.

[texaswiz]

You asked about removing the cam lock ring without using the tool.
On several occasions I have placed a wooden block or hard wood dowel on one of the arms and tapped it with a rubber mallet to loosen the cam lock ring. If the wood is soft, it will split, but hang it there and keep trying. Don't get too rambuncious with the mallet and you will get it done. To put it back on use the reverse process and go slow.

[smithbrl]

I installed the new fuel filter and spark plugs. I cleared to codes and fired it up. After a little spitting and sputtering it came to life!!

Rode it to work today with no problems. Rode it at 80 mph for 5 or 6 miles and everything was OK.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

[Motorpsycho]

Two gallons of water in the tank??? Call me a suspicious S.O.B., but it sounds like you got sabotaged...either that or your local gas-n-sip is selling piss-water for gas. Glad to hear you got it running, though.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by Motorpsycho

Two gallons of water in the tank??? Call me a suspicious S.O.B., but it sounds like you got sabotaged...either that or your local gas-n-sip is selling piss-water for gas. Glad to hear you got it running, though.

Not usual, but not impossible. Water is used to fill the transfer lines, in between gasoline shipments, at refineries. If someone screwed up somewhere, and enough water got shoved into a holding tank, and this station got the end of it, a large percentage could have been water.

Or...........some girlie's mad at you, like Motorpsycho suggested......

[smithbrl]

Originally Posted by Motorpsycho

Two gallons of water in the tank??? Call me a suspicious S.O.B., but it sounds like you got sabotaged...either that or your local gas-n-sip is selling piss-water for gas. Glad to hear you got it running, though.

LOL. The owner called me and apologized. He said he would pay for the repairs. He said the cap was not installed correctly the last time the tank was filled. He said there was 4 1/2 feet of water in the premium tank.