2011 GSA - it wouldn't start

[itspilsbury]

Hi,
Both 08 sporty and my 2011 GSA not used since end of October sat on optimates.
Fitted new tyres to sporty as season is approaching. Thought I would start them and let them tick over until warm. Sporty started first press GSA would not fire, cranked it loads of times with a break in between to allow starter a rest, having put back on optimate for an hour tried again. Eventually splutter pop bang and it started. Revved it a little and it died. Smell of petrol! Tried again and let it run until warm, then it started easy, like normal.
Why???????????

 

[juddadredd]

Hi ya, I'm in Derby and my bike's had a dead battery EXACTLY the same situation as you have had... I put it on my optimate did you remeber to put it in to CANBUS mode when it was standing? ...

 

[Nutty]

I never put my GS on optimate so long as its under warranty Never had a problem

 

[Pablo1]

Hi,
Both 08 sporty and my 2011 GSA not used since end of October sat on optimates.
Fitted new tyres to sporty as season is approaching. Thought I would start them and let them tick over until warm. Sporty started first press GSA would not fire, cranked it loads of times with a break in between to allow starter a rest, having put back on optimate for an hour tried again. Eventually splutter pop bang and it started. Revved it a little and it died. Smell of petrol! Tried again and let it run until warm, then it started easy, like normal.
Why???????????

faulty flimflam valve, got to be

 

[itspilsbury]

My optimate doesn't have a canbus option, but then again it is connected direct with a fly lead to the battery itself. The battery wasn't flat, it was fully charged. Just wouldn't fire then I guess started to flood.
The exhaust valve sounds ok, and I do take the cover off every couple of months when the bike is in use and ACF50 it.????

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Sounds like the carbs are gummed up after sitting with unused petrol in them.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

My optimate doesn't have a canbus option, but then again it is connected direct with a fly lead to the battery itself. The battery wasn't flat, it was fully charged. Just wouldn't fire then I guess started to flood.
The exhaust valve sounds ok, and I do take the cover off every couple of months when the bike is in use and ACF50 it.????

When I ship bikes out to teh US in containers, they obviously aren't started for around 5 weeks. Quite often, some of the bikes will do this but once going, they are no problem. Maybe it's a quirk with the fuel system.

Just a note, you aren't doing the bike any good just starting and running the bike until warm then leaving it for a few months. Your best bet is take the battery off, keep it in a warm place, reconnect when you are ready to ride it again and only ACF it once

 

[Beemerman59]

Sounds like the carbs are gummed up after sitting with unused petrol in them.

Carbs?

 

[cookie]

Hi ya, I'm in Derby and my bike's had a dead battery EXACTLY the same situation as you have had... I put it on my optimate did you remeber to put it in to CANBUS mode when it was standing? ...

If your bike had a dead battery it wouldn't spin over like the OP.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Sounds like the carbs are gummed up after sitting with unused petrol in them.

Carbs?

 

[PDiddy]

Lets hope the 1200 WC section is a little bit more educated than the 1200 antique section -

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Lets hope the 1200 WC section is a little bit more educated than the 1200 antique section -

I think you'll find they are now the R1200GS CLASSIC

 

[Nutty]

Lets hope the 1200 WC section is a little bit more educated than the 1200 antique section -

It won't be I'll be there

 

[PDiddy]

It won't be I'll be there

Just counting the days until my GSA Classic is replaced with a spanking new GSE -

 

[Bendy toy]

Carbs or injection, if the fuel tank was close to empty when the bike was laid up, the fuel will be rubbish by spring time and the bike probably wont start. Many GSs run weak at the best of times so even more likely to play up.

The tank should either be brimmed or emptied. I prefer empty because modern fuel only stores well in a fully sealed container.

 

[Bendy toy]

Carbs or injection, if the fuel tank was close to empty when the bike was laid up, the fuel will be rubbish by spring time and the bike probably wont start. Many GSs run weak at the best of times so even more likely to play up.

The tank should either be brimmed or emptied. I prefer empty because modern fuel only stores well in a fully sealed container.

Some say the GSA already is a classic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citroën_GS

 

[GS TRV]

youre a bad man

 

[Greenman14]

I can understand all this stuff about petrol going off and fuel systems getting gummed up but I never pay it any mind and have never had a problem. Even my mower starts easily after a 3-4 month lay off and only half a tank of fuel, and I only fill the tank once or twice a year. Have I always been lucky?

 

[(RIP) Miff]

youre a bad man

I don't know what you mean

I can understand all this stuff about petrol going off and fuel systems getting gummed up but I never pay it any mind and have never had a problem. Even my mower starts easily after a 3-4 month lay off and only half a tank of fuel, and I only fill the tank once or twice a year. Have I always been lucky?

Well a lawn mower is a very low tech engine, unlike the high tech GS engine

 

[Sandman]

faulty flimflam valve, got to be

Personal experience has told me the operation of the flimflam valve is dependent on a fully functioning turbo encabulator.

If you haven't already checked it, here is a guide on how it works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIS5n9Oyzsc