XJ900 won't always turn over

Well my new project is doing something I haven't seen before. With plenty of juice from a decent battery and a charger the engine won't turn over with the starter. It sounds like something is trying to turn, but not the engine. When I pull the plugs it will turns fine. The oil looks real clean in the glass. The bike has been stored indoors, but has sat so long it is out of the DMV system which here in CA takes a min. of 5 years. Has 18000 miles showing. Going to buy a brand new battery today and try to tow start it this weekend with my quad I don't think that will hurt it right? Can a starter clutch go bad that early in its life? Help.

Dave

 

Re: XJ900 won't always turn over, but will start

OK got it started lots of pushing needed. It runs OK, but that's not my issue. After running it for awhile I pulled the oil cap and found a white foamy/milky looking substance. What gives? What did the PO put in the crankcase? Will this cause the starter clutch to slip? How should I flush this out?

Dave

 

You have water in your oil. Change it and the filter.

This can happen if the bike has been run on short trips, or might have happened whilst in storage.

 

Pull the Starter.
You got work to do.

First, you have to Overhaul the Planetary end.
Remove the Planetary-end and Clean every single part there is, right down to Parade Rest.

You have to remove "Nasty" and get it down to CLEAN.
Everything.
Shaft.
Planet Ring.
Gears.
Bushings, ...
Everything.

Once the Planet-end is so Clean your Grandma wants to powder its little butt and slip-on its flannel jammies, ...
Lube it.
Waterproof - Synthetic - Grease.

Don't lose nothing.
There are Washers and Thrust Washers as thin as Shim Stock.

Once the Planet-end is Rehabilitated.
Electric end.

Do a Thread Search:
Keywords: Chinese Puzzle
Author: RickCoMatic

 

I was thinking the same, the seat left small puddles everytime someone sat on it for a few days after I drug it home. Maybe it got left outside for some time? We did have a few drenchers the last few weeks, but how the heck did it get into the crankcase? Bought some cheap dino oil and will do the first change tonight.

 

No, it's not the rain, condensation builds up in the oil and if the bike is only used on short trips, the engine does not get hot enough the get rid of the moisture.

The mayonaise type sludge is the water and oil trying not to mix!

The same can happen if the bike is stood for a long period (Months).
When you start the bike it looks like white smoke but theis is actually excess water.