A couple of days ago the bike began to idle a little strangely. Sometimes low, sometimes high, but usually low and cutting out occasionally.
Then she just started to run real bad at low revs. Sputtering and backfiring until I opened the throttle right up. A quick run up the highway would fix this though, then she would run OK.
Yesterday, she was hesitating and backfiring all day. Even when she had warmed up...
Today she wouldn't even start.
There's plenty of battery power to turn the engine over.
The plugs are sparking. I did take them out for a look, and they are quite dark and wet.
I thought I might have gotten some bad fuel. I filled up at a servo I don't usually go to.
I drained the tank and inspected the fuel - nice purple ULP colour, no water.
I've re-tensioned the timing belts too.
Any ideas guys?
My limited mechanical knowledge means I'm not much help...... but I can be sympathetic. :-\
Someone will be along shortly to offer an opinion.
Is yours a FI model?
Yep, 2000Sie.
And to make things worse, the car is off the road too. I'm half way through an engine conversion.
I need the bike to get more parts for the car and I'm getting dangerously low on beer :o
Just a query, what grade of unleaded are you using...? I had a similar problem early on, premium unleaded (98) was the cause, by switching to 91, or 95 max cleared it out eventually. Am sure someone here with much more knowledge than me will help you soon. Oh yes, and definately steer awya from ethanol blends, they will definately play havoc with it.
brian
Did you try a new set of plugs? If your current ones are dark, they won't be providing a very good spark, which will only cause them to foul more.
Quote from: suzyj on September 22, 2010, 11:40:33 AM
Did you try a new set of plugs? If your current ones are dark, they won't be providing a very good spark, which will only cause them to foul more.
Ditto!! [thumbsup] Like she said! [clap]
NGK Iridiums are exy but perform better for longer!
Have you checked your air filter? If the plugs are dark and wet to me it suggests that there is a rich mixture setting, which on older bikes would be like riding with the manual choke on! I would check around the intakes and the air filter to make sure nothing is fouling. Throttle cables attached ok? Nothing loose? Next get some new plugs like Suzyj recommended. After those basics I think you start heading in to the murky world of coils, injectors etc etc.
Quote from: dragonworld on September 22, 2010, 01:26:02 PM
dragonworld are sexy and perform better for longer!
[laugh]
Quote from: Brian W on September 22, 2010, 11:27:28 AM
Just a query, what grade of unleaded are you using...? I had a similar problem early on, premium unleaded (98) was the cause, by switching to 91, or 95 max cleared it out eventually. Am sure someone here with much more knowledge than me will help you soon. Oh yes, and definately steer awya from ethanol blends, they will definately play havoc with it.
brian
Sorry to thread jack..... Brian, i am useing 98 octane in my S4R and since the mid pipe install it has been backfiring as you know. I tried my first tank of 95 this week and am 1/4 of the way through it with similar symptoms.
Would you suggest giving 91 a go?
p.s. Thylacine is an interesting name for your baby...... I dont mind Tassie Tiger :)
Quote from: cakeman on September 22, 2010, 02:33:42 PM
Sorry to thread jack..... Brian, i am useing 98 octane in my S4R and since the mid pipe install it has been backfiring as you know. I tried my first tank of 95 this week and am 1/4 of the way through it with similar symptoms.
Would you suggest giving 91 a go?
p.s. Thylacine is an interesting name for your baby...... I dont mind Tassie Tiger :)
guys to further thread jack again can you be more specific with the brand of fuel you are using? I use premium unleaded in my S2R 1000, and find that the fuel from BP service stations are the best IMHO. Then from there it goes down. Whilst I dont suffer the backfiring I do notice performance and mileage issues when using other fuels. [thumbsup]
Quote from: Mr.S2R on September 22, 2010, 02:53:15 PM
guys to further thread jack again can you be more specific with the brand of fuel you are using? I use premium unleaded in my S2R 1000, and find that the fuel from BP service stations are the best IMHO. Then from there it goes down. Whilst I dont suffer the backfiring I do notice performance and mileage issues when using other fuels. [thumbsup]
Generally what ever i can get, its usually Shell or Caltex
OK, so I pulled the plugs again this morning and cleaned them up as best I could.
On starting it sounded like she fired twice, then backfired, then nothing.
Quote from: cakeman on September 22, 2010, 03:03:22 PM
Generally what ever i can get, its usually Shell or Caltex
ah ok - I am not impressed with the quality of the fuel. I think you will find others will agree what you put in to your baby counts also!
Quote from: Yellow Meanie on September 22, 2010, 03:08:03 PM
OK, so I pulled the plugs again this morning and cleaned them up as best I could.
On starting it sounded like she fired twice, then backfired, then nothing.
mate sorry to sound like a broken record but how old are the plugs? Cleaning may seem the right thing to do but plugs do eventually break down. If you get new plugs you are eliminating one part of the problem. Also check the gap - make sure that is correct when you install new plugs. Check the leads also to make sure they are not 'leaking' i.e. you will hear an electric snap if the leads have a crack in them and are earthing out on the motor or frame.
Success :D
After another go she fired! Real rough though, with LOTS of backfiring - the whole suburb would have heard it...
Above about 4000rpm she was ok.
I checked the timing belts again, now she's running ok above 3000rpm. Still backfiring down low and will not idle.
The fuel is very low, so I'll go and fill up at my local servo.
And go and get some new plugs too ;)
What fuel would you suggest mrs2r?
She's now running better than ever!
I checked the timing - again.
The air filter is clean.
The air box lid has temporary been replaced by a couple of zip-ties. In an attempt to lean-up the mixture slightly...
There is a Shell servo just around the corner from my house, so I filled up with 95ron PULP.
After filling up, she spluttered a bit going up the hill towards the 100 zone.
The 100 zone allowed me to do a bit of WOT - heavy breaking - WOT, then some sustained high rev cruising.
After a couple of kays I was back to a 60 zone, and she was running like normal.
I went to 3 different bike shops in town as well as Ripco. None have Iridiums for a Monster.
On the way home, I thought I'd ride past Roxy's work. She obviously heard me coming, because she was at the window waving madly :D I stopped for a chat and she caught me looking more naked than usual - I was in such a rush to leave, I didn't bother putting the belt covers back on :P
Anyway, by the time I got home, I reckon she was running better than ever. Even with the old plugs (which were new a few months ago).
So, I'll put it down to bad fuel, and the timing.
yeah could be just bad fuel, and unfortunately bad fuel will foul new plugs real quickly. Only remedy there is to replace the plugs and ride the tank out, unless you have a cager and put the fuel in it.
Good to see it was nothing major! ;D
Great to see all is OK, FYI we try to only use BP Ultimate and had not yet had an issue.
The Ducati Dealer I worked for used to get this quite regularly up in Cairns (Crap fuel up there)
Every time they would drain the fuel and purge the fuel system, replace with new fuel, change
the plugs and check the computer or Carb settings.
Every time (Well for the 2 months I was there anyway) it fixed the problems, they would sometimes
have to do a minor tweak to the mixture settings on the DDS or tweak the Carb settings.
But the vast majority of the time it was just bad fuel.
Hmmmmm, tried to start her yesterday and she wouldn't go >:(
She cranks over really slowly - even when connected to my brand new car battery...
Be checking the charging system and battery condition!! [thumbsup]
didnt Mattyvas have a similar odd problem and it came down to replacing the starter motor or something?? ???
I am too lazy to search for the thread! ;D
Quote from: Mr.S2R on September 28, 2010, 06:07:25 PM
didnt Mattyvas have a similar odd problem and it came down to replacing the starter motor or something?? ???
I am too lazy to search for the thread! ;D
Does this help?
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=35440.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=35440.0)
After nearly 3 months of hibernation I decided to get the ol' girl out ;D (Sorry but I've been out at sea, and the weather has been crap)
Even after an overnight charge, she still wouldn't fire up.
I thought I'd poke around with the wiring, remember the Tacho was dropping out? Anyway, the wiring all seemed OK.
The battery was charged to 12.5V. I tried to start the bike. Fuel pump primes, started chugs over 2 or 3 times, then nothing.
I put it back on charge for 20 mins, then she started.
I shut down, then she wouldn't go... When cranking over, battery drops to just under 11V...
"Bugger it" I thought... Then I looked at the gauges sitting up on top or the triple. Waaaaaay above my lowered headlight.
20mins later, and a few mm chopped off the top of the "U-bracket thingy" and they were back on!
And now she starts :o
Could it have the lack of attention?
The lack of mods?
It does sound like Matty's old problem though...
Does sound a little bit my old problem.
Except when my drama was happening it (the starter) was draining all the electrical power.
It started a few times when the problem was being diagnosed but never really ran well.
Hmmm, I might have to pull the starter out...
Not looking forward to that :-\
My Monster did the same as yours Dave, and I pulled my starter out took it to a local auto electrician and he found the problem straight away, it turned out to be the insulator where the starter cable bolts to had cracked and was shorting out, and that part is not available.
I got the starter back fully serviced and better than brand new.
OK, now to get that pesky starter out all you need to do is;
Unbolt the starter cable from the starter, note that you need to hold the nut closest to the starter body and undo the other nut to release the cable.
Drain the engine oil
Remove (unbolt) the left side engine cover (this will give you access to the third hidden bolt).
Unbolt the three bolts that hold the starter motor, take it to your preferred repairer
Obviously reverse these instructions to put all back together.
If I've missed something I'm sure that someone will chime in.
Mmick
Hmm interesting how a lot of people are using 98 fuel
I was always under the impression that high octane fuel
is only needed in high compression engines .
Which the Monster is not.
Isnt the higher the octane the more the fuel can be compressed
before ignition ?
So basically you are paying more for something that gives no benifit .
I just use 91 and it goes alright but its hard to find now due to e10 [puke]
which makes our bikes very un happy so I now use 95 BP or Caltex if I can get it.
Ok Dave, if you have to spend so much time away at once I will volunteer to go around and turn your baby over for you! Happy to help out.
Otherwise she can come and stay with me so she gets some company. That might stop her being so temperamental when you get back.
Thanks Mmick, sounds easy enough. Is there a gasket on the inside of the engine cover? If so, will I need to replace it?
Two Dogs, I usually run Caltex 95ron. I have expiremented with 98, but could "feel" (seat of pants) no real benefit, nor did I get any better fuel consumption.
I prefer Caltex fuel because the ship I drive discharges Caltex products at Hobart. I know the fuel hasn't been contaminated, before it reaches the terminal at least...
But as I've said before, it's all the same shit anyway ;)
Leigh, I would take you up on the offer... but I don't have to go back to work until next year :P
No gasket on the alternator case.
There is a gasket on the starter to the crank case, i reused mine with a little silicone sealant [thumbsup]
I use permatex grey silicone available at most auto shops.
3bond is another brand of silicone sealant but a tad hard to find.
Just clean the faces with turps or thinners.
And don't forget the screw near the front sprocket behind the guard.
And you will need case puller.
I used a universal pulley/wheel puller available at most auto shops about $20.
You can also try just pulling the clutch lever with the slave in situ with the case screws removed.
That worked for me as well.
Oh and if you got the altenator case of good idea to check the starter sprag.
you need a big C spanner to fit the fly whee,l i made my own.
Rob
I got some jumper leads today and connected up the car battery.
She fired up straight away - plenty of power at the starter motor.
I think I'll get the battery tested before I go pulling out the starter ;)
Thanks for the replies fellas.
I pulled the battery out this morning, along with all associated wiring.
Two cells in the battery needed topping up, so I did that, then put it back on charge on the bench.
I then inspected and cleaned all the terminals. I was intent on upgrading the wiring, but it was all in such good condition I decided to just put it all back together.
I also pulled off any earths that I could find, and cleaned them too.
Once it was all back together, she fired up straight away
After a 2hr run around my local twisties she still starts, with the starter motor turning over strongly
So, it was either:
A dirty connection somewhere.
Or the battery wasn't charging properly due to being a little low.
Easy fix
Quote from: Yellow Meanie on April 03, 2011, 11:03:58 PM
Thanks for the replies fellas.
So, it was either:
A dirty connection somewhere.
Or the battery wasn't charging properly due to being a little low.
Easy fix
Or a little of both.
Glad its all fixed [thumbsup]
Mmick