'02 F4i won't start???

brider · 06-23-2008, 8:07 PM

Ok, here's an odd problem.

I changed the oil on my '02 F4i Saturday. Bike was running fine, in fact, I let the engine warm up for a few minutes before I changed the oil and filter. The official service manual says that if you change both the oil and filter, you need to put in 3.5 liters of oil. Now, I didn't check the oil level window, but I don't remember seeing where the level of the oil prior to the change. I put in 4 32 oz or .946 liter bottles of oil. This is more than the 3.5 liters required. (3.784 to be exact...)

Once I tightened everything up, I looked at the oil level window and NOTHING. I thought, WTF, that's odd? But I'll see what it looks like after I let it run for a few minutes.

And the bike wouldn't start. I killed the freaken battery trying to get it to start! Let it charge all day Sunday and just tried it again. NO LUCK!

The oil light came on while trying to start it, but I figured that was normal until oil got pumped into the new filter.

Any thoughts on what's wrong?

TIA!

--Brad

Red Rider · 06-23-2008, 8:11 PM

How are you checking the oil...on the sidestand or holding the bike upright?

brider · 06-23-2008, 8:14 PM

Thanks for the quick reply RedRider!

It's on the side stand. I hadn't thought of that...

However, I put in more than the required amount of oil, so I would think that I would be good there???

Red Rider · 06-23-2008, 9:36 PM

The oil amount should be more than enough but you still need to check the level. You sure you installed the correct filter? The bike not starting may not be related to the oil change.

00vfr · 06-23-2008, 9:47 PM

Mine did something similar and it turned out to be the kill switch. Mine would crank and crank but never fire.I flipped the switch back and forth several times and it fired back up.I only tried this because I have had several Hondas do it to me before,my VFR was the worst. My F4i always takes almost 4 quarts to fill it.And I check it with the bike level.
Hope this helps