Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: psycledelic on August 26, 2008, 05:00:30 AM

Title: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: psycledelic on August 26, 2008, 05:00:30 AM
Anyone have any possible ideas on what could cause my bike to backfire all of a sudden?  Never had this trouble before, but now everytime I downshift hard it sounds like the freakin Fourth of July.  I did run a tank of 87 octane through it a couple of weeks ago (the station was out of 93 and so was I - not many options their) which is around the time the backfiring started.  I have been through 2 tanks of 93 since then.  Any input would be appreciated, I am not much of a mechanic.  06 S2R 800 with Termi system if that is relavent.  Thx.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: ducpainter on August 26, 2008, 05:13:36 AM
Quote from: psycledelic on August 26, 2008, 05:00:30 AM
Anyone have any possible ideas on what could cause my bike to backfire all of a sudden?  Never had this trouble before, but now everytime I downshift hard it sounds like the freakin Fourth of July.  I did run a tank of 87 octane through it a couple of weeks ago (the station was out of 93 and so was I - not many options their) which is around the time the backfiring started.  I have been through 2 tanks of 93 since then.  Any input would be appreciated, I am not much of a mechanic.  06 S2R 800 with Termi system if that is relavent.  Thx.
Check all the joints in the exhaust.

I believe you've developed a leak.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: Slide Panda on August 26, 2008, 06:21:28 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 26, 2008, 05:13:36 AM
Check all the joints in the exhaust.

I believe you've developed a leak.

I 2nd this theory. 

Popping on downshifts is a common symptom of an exhaust leak.  I had the same think occur on my 620 w/ high mounts.  The S pipe got a little loose and *POP pop poppop* started.  5 min to looks things over and tighten the connections and it was gone.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: A.duc.H.duc. on August 26, 2008, 06:25:20 AM
Quote from: psycledelic on August 26, 2008, 05:00:30 AM
Anyone have any possible ideas on what could cause my bike to backfire all of a sudden?  Never had this trouble before, but now everytime I downshift hard it sounds like the freakin Fourth of July.  I did run a tank of 87 octane through it a couple of weeks ago (the station was out of 93 and so was I - not many options their) which is around the time the backfiring started.  I have been through 2 tanks of 93 since then.  Any input would be appreciated, I am not much of a mechanic.  06 S2R 800 with Termi system if that is relavent.  Thx.

Most people have found that the 2 valve motors actually run better on 87
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: b. on August 26, 2008, 11:03:41 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 26, 2008, 05:13:36 AM
Check all the joints in the exhaust.

I believe you've developed a leak.

Would this be the same diagnosis if back firing only happens during certain conditions?  i.e. I did a lot of hard canyon riding this past wknd and my bike began to back fire pretty regularly on deceleration into corners.  Bike is a 620 with Spark high mounts and it was a hot day.  Oil temp reading in the high 270s and I was keeping the revs in the 6-8K range.  On more everyday type of riding I might hear it back fire once in a blue moon, but pretty much never.  Revs usually stay around 4-6K when I'm just cruising around.

I'll make sure to re-check the connections to the header when I get home, but just wondering if my back firing issue could be something else...

thx,
b.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: Slide Panda on August 26, 2008, 12:01:10 PM
Quote from: b. on August 26, 2008, 11:03:41 AM
Would this be the same diagnosis if back firing only happens during certain conditions?  i.e. I did a lot of hard canyon riding this past wknd and my bike began to back fire pretty regularly on deceleration into corners.  Bike is a 620 with Spark high mounts and it was a hot day.  Oil temp reading in the high 270s and I was keeping the revs in the 6-8K range.  On more everyday type of riding I might hear it back fire once in a blue moon, but pretty much never.  Revs usually stay around 4-6K when I'm just cruising around.

I'll make sure to re-check the connections to the header when I get home, but just wondering if my back firing issue could be something else...

thx,
b.

This might be a combo thing - your fueling could be a tad rich in the higher RPMs so you're getting some unburnt fuel into the exhaust.  A little more gasoline + oxygen from a leak resulting in an afterburn popping.  At the lower rmps somethings a bit different, so you don't get as much afterburn... Just some speculations on my part.  But either way, can't hurt to chekc your exhaust connections
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: monsta on August 27, 2008, 03:29:33 AM
check the intake as well. I had one of the vacume screws drop out at a track day and it would backfire backing off.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: psycledelic on August 27, 2008, 10:52:48 PM
Cool, I will check my exhaust out in the morning.  Glad I posted cause that wasn't even on my radar of possible problems.  Thx everyone for the help.
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: Jarvicious on August 31, 2008, 11:22:03 AM
If the exhaust leak doesn't bear you any results, I'd def check in on your air/fuel ratios.  What kind of weather are you riding in to get 270 degrees out of a 620??  I've romped on my S2R 800 in 95 degree heat and not even hit 240.  I don't know that much about air/fuel mixtures, but isn't excessive engine heat a possible result of running lean?  I know that sounds counter intuitive, but IIRC that's what my ex-mechanic dad mentioned. 
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: b. on August 31, 2008, 03:44:57 PM
Quote from: Jarvicious on August 31, 2008, 11:22:03 AM
If the exhaust leak doesn't bear you any results, I'd def check in on your air/fuel ratios.  What kind of weather are you riding in to get 270 degrees out of a 620??  I've romped on my S2R 800 in 95 degree heat and not even hit 240.  I don't know that much about air/fuel mixtures, but isn't excessive engine heat a possible result of running lean?  I know that sounds counter intuitive, but IIRC that's what my ex-mechanic dad mentioned. 

Your S2R has an oil cooler.  My 620 doesn't.  For my own peace of mind I might invest in one, but it's a pricey addition.  :-\
Title: Re: Sudden case of backfiring!
Post by: Jarvicious on August 31, 2008, 07:02:54 PM
Quote from: b. on August 31, 2008, 03:44:57 PM
Your S2R has an oil cooler.  My 620 doesn't.  For my own peace of mind I might invest in one, but it's a pricey addition.  :-\

This I did not know  :)  Thanks for the schooling.