Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: paradisecity on June 08, 2008, 03:09:04 PM

Title: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: paradisecity on June 08, 2008, 03:09:04 PM
I didnt want to post this in the old thread for a number of reasons, but I'm sure most people know that I did a ton of stuff to my bike this offseason.  Yesterday was my first day with my bike- a 695.  Everything seemed to be ok until last night when I was riding down to the water.  All the sudden when i was coming off a stop the engine revved up (and I sped up) way more than I gave it.

Then the check engine light came on.  Now, the bike started cutting out while riding, and sputtering.  The further I got, the more the cutting out occurred until finally I couldnt get anything.  I still had power in my gauges, but while in neutral (perhaps false)  I couldn't even move the bike.  A couple nice guys helped me move it of the road.

30 minutes later I got back on and it would roll in neutral.  It would start,and rode fine for a couple hundred yards.  Then the engine cutting out with the tach jumping and lurching me started ( I believe at one point my headlight flickered too, and it might have been more but I was focusing on everything else)  Once again, the engine cutting out increased in number and decreased in interval (First 30 seconds, then 20, then 10, then 5).

I managed to get the bike home (half mile) and the mechanic who did the work is going to load it up tomorrow afternoon and take a look.

The window shows plenty of oil.  Other things new to the bike that might affect are exhaust (ex-box) heated grips and oil cooler.


Can anyone help me with ideas as to what this could be and how else to diagnose?

Thanks a lot

Tom
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: roy-nexus-6 on June 08, 2008, 06:18:33 PM
I'm too ignorant to offer any advice. However, one question: when you had your bike modded, where the changes all cosmetic? I remember swingarm, exhaust, bling aplenty? If mechanical changes were made, what were they?

That info might make it a little easier for people to diagnose.

Good luck! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread!  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: Howie on June 08, 2008, 07:32:05 PM
Most likely a loose connection, prehaps at the battery, ignition switch or right hand switch.  Could be a break in the harness running down the head tube.  Bad ground is also a good possibilityThe big clue is the whole bike is loosing power.  Describe the symptoms best as possible to your mechanic.  Let him do the diagnosis.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: Duc Stamp on June 09, 2008, 08:11:22 PM
Depending on how clean his shop was, and what all was exposed, it could be fuel related. (fuel filter clogged, bad fuel, something pinched).
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: errazor on June 10, 2008, 08:00:31 AM
If the engine warning light came on the error code is stored in the ecu and can be displayed with the DDS.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: paradisecity on June 10, 2008, 08:26:08 AM
whats a DDS?

Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: jdubbs32584 on June 10, 2008, 08:29:18 AM
Quote from: paradisecity on June 10, 2008, 08:26:08 AM
whats a DDS?



Ducati diagnostic system I believe.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: Duck-Stew on June 10, 2008, 08:51:56 AM
Quote from: howie on June 08, 2008, 07:32:05 PM
Most likely a loose connection, prehaps at the battery, ignition switch or right hand switch.  Could be a break in the harness running down the head tube.  Bad ground is also a good possibilityThe big clue is the whole bike is loosing power.  Describe the symptoms best as possible to your mechanic.  Let him do the diagnosis.

Quote from: Duc Stamp on June 09, 2008, 08:11:22 PM
Depending on how clean his shop was, and what all was exposed, it could be fuel related. (fuel filter clogged, bad fuel, something pinched).

Both of these are the suggestions I was thinking of but it is best to let an expert do the diagnosis just relay to him the details of what HAPPENED to the bike without adding your diagnosis to it.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: paradisecity on June 12, 2008, 07:12:50 AM
Mechanic thinks it may have something to do with removal of emissions can on the side? 

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: Duck-Stew on June 12, 2008, 07:23:08 AM
Quote from: paradisecity on June 12, 2008, 07:12:50 AM
Mechanic thinks it may have something to do with removal of emissions can on the side? 

Thoughts?

Only if one of the vent hoses was plugged and it shouldn't be.  The hose that leads to the intake manifold(s) should be plugged.  The ones that go to the tank should be vented toward the ground.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: dlearl476 on June 12, 2008, 08:21:18 AM
Quote from: Duck-Stew on June 12, 2008, 07:23:08 AM
Only if one of the vent hoses was plugged and it shouldn't be.  The hose that leads to the intake manifold(s) should be plugged.  The ones that go to the tank should be vented toward the ground.

Good point DS, if the line that's supposed to allow air into and emptying tank is plugged (the one that went from the tank to the charcoal canister), a vacuum builds up.
My #1 suspect is still a bad (intermittent) ground, though.  A vacuum doesn't explain the electrical hoo-doo.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: paradisecity on June 12, 2008, 09:00:11 AM
Talked to mechanic and he believes he fixed the problem (and one more).  He described that a bolt holding the grounding strap in by the ecu was loose so he tightened it up and used some locktite on it.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: Pancake81 on June 12, 2008, 05:37:21 PM
keep us posted man
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: SSSA on June 12, 2008, 07:47:51 PM
....and how 'bout some dang photos.
Title: Re: Help- engine cutting out
Post by: junior varsity on August 28, 2008, 03:43:51 PM
Sounds electrical. Would have nothing to do with the removal of emissions, or your exhaust. Heated grips are electric and there be gremlins where there be wires.