Triumph Sprint Triple 1997 - Engine Issues

I am no mechanic so probably talking total rubbish but if the fuel tap was left in the prime position for a long time, the petrol could leak into the bores and airbox if the floats were stuck. It may take a lot of cleaning to get the crap out of the carbs, have you tried ultrasonic or just a bit of wire and blowing through? You say the fuel looked a better colour after cleaning, maybe the tank is full of water and rust,have you flushed it out??
I assume the head gasket had not blown initially and thats why the bike wasnt used.
You are right about needing a special spanner for the one plug, Triumph do one but I think they are dear, try ebay maybe?

 

The tank will need flushing out probably, the best way i believe is to put some ball bearings or nuts inside the tank (after removing it of course) and shaking the tank with a small amount new clean petrol in. ( look on the net, some say to use vinegar, some coke, and there are specialised products avaiable,I do not know which is best). Keep shakng and flushing till the fuel remains clean. You can also get products to seal the tank after.

The petrol tap has 3 positions, if the pointed side points up it is on prime, horizontal is normal use and pointing down wards is reserve. The latter two positions only flow fuel when there is a vacuum form the vac pipe, the prime allows fuel all the time.

I have never had my carbs apart coz its a fiddly job and I have big hands and cannot get in easily,there are little o rings and jets that wear out in there as well as the float sticking.

sorry I cannot be more help

 

there is a tube on the airbox I believe, never took it off mine tho, and I think there should be a plug at the bottom end which has to be drained every so often. I know that fuel gets in there if the floats get stuck,have seen a few owners of T3 bikes in forums who have had fuel pouring out.

 

Which ever way you look at it Callumwk the carbs are flooding which means the float valves are not stopping the fuel comming in to the carbs, you will have to strip the carbs and if required replace the needle valves, they are rubber cones on the end of a brass spindle connected to the float, if you replace them which I think you will have too you will need to check and maybe re set the flote hight that is easy using a rule to measure from the carb flote bowl joint to the top of the float and bending the tag on the end of the float with the carb upside down without you touching it until it is correct,

it is correct as others have said not to leave the fuel tap on prime but if the needle valves are good it still should not overflow the carbs,
I would also check the sump oil with all that fuel around to make sure it is not full of petrol if it is you will need to change the oil,
using a torch have a look in the tank and see if it there is water or crap in it ? remember fuel floats on water so if there is any in there you will see bubbles of it on the bottom of the tank,

I get the third plug out with a short box spanner and an allen key in the end until it has unscrewed a bit and then use just the box spanner, they are not expensive.
hope this helps
Keith.