paul99xx Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) the day after filling the tank, of course, I went to start it and it started ok and ran for a few seconds then dropped to maybe 1 or 2 cylinders then stopped altogether. In the last 12 months it's spluttered occasionally so I've been running injector cleaner through it. So when it died completely I was hoping it was just the fuel filter blocked, pulled the filter and it seems to flow fine. Everything looks fine, no loose wires or fuel leaks, recently I've replaced the air filter and low beam headlight bulb but I can't imagine that i've caused any issues doing that. There is a breather hose not connected to anything but I can't find anything it would have been connected to. the thinner hose in the bottom of the pic. Edited July 24, 2014 by paul99xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) That hose isn't supposed to be connected to anything on one end. It is a vent. As for your running problem, turn the key on and listen for the fuel pump to "pressure-up". Then pull the vacuum hose off of the fuel pressure regulator and check for fuel inside. If there is any wetness, replace the regulator and spark plugs. The plugs are likely fouled. Only other thing I can think of is a faulty fuel pump, but that is unlikely. Edited July 24, 2014 by jon haney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 thanks jon, probably wouldn't hurt to do the plugs anyway, I had a major service done a while ago and they didn't change the air filter so probably didn't do the plugs either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 make sure the wires going to the coils arnt lose,not the plug leads but the thin wires.had mine drop to 2 cyl's a while back and found one of the wires was a bit loose on its pin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Check running voltage and swap battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Put it back together, pressured up the fuel pump, and it started in the garage straight away, sounded a little rough but I thought it might be ok, switched it off before I suffocated, wheeled it out, it fired up straight away, went to 1500 or so, but then started to miss, I grabbed the throttle as the revs were dropping, got it up to 2000 and it seemed ok for a few seconds then started to die again, picked it up to 2500, ok for second but then the revs started dropping again so I let it die. Brought it back inside and primed the fuel pump again, pulled the vacuum hose dry as a bone. Checked voltage before and after each cranking over, solid 12.95 volts, (shorai lithium bat) plenty of cranking power there too. Couldn't really check the voltage while it was running. So I guess plugs next, wouldn't hurt anyway if they're still the originals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 try it with the fuel filler open - if you have a blocked breather it could be creating a vacuum in the fuel tank which might present like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 The blocked breather is something to try for sure, especially since it started having issues right after filling up. My suggestion: open the cap and start it, if it starts to die out let it. Try to restart. If it doesn't, let it sit a while and retry. Report back with how long it has to sit to start again. I'm gonna take a stab at tight valves. I'd ask if they were checked but that would be pointless since you stated it had a major service and the air filter was ignored so everything is suspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 I like the sound of a blocked breather, not so big on a tight valve. I guess I could try to start it first without opening the tank first, and then open the tank once it dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) I like the sound of a blocked breather, not so big on a tight valve. I guess I could try to start it first without opening the tank first, and then open the tank once it dies. I don't think it's either one of those. A blocked breather hose would take an extended run time to cause a vacuum in the tank. Tight valves would only be if the shop completely botched a valve adjustment. Hopefully, for you, it's the plugs. Some other things to check: If you have a Power Commander, remove that from the system and try starting again. Check all the coil connections, bank-angle sensor, and side-stand switch. Good Luck. Edited July 28, 2014 by jon haney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Did you replace the battery yet and check terminal connections? My f4i did exactly this when a terminal was loose. My xx did this when I had a shitty battery. Most seemingly fuel problems are usually electrical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLXX Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Put it back together, pressured up the fuel pump, and it started in the garage straight away, sounded a little rough but I thought it might be ok, switched it off before I suffocated, wheeled it out, it fired up straight away, went to 1500 or so, but then started to miss, I grabbed the throttle as the revs were dropping, got it up to 2000 and it seemed ok for a few seconds then started to die again, picked it up to 2500, ok for second but then the revs started dropping again so I let it die. Brought it back inside and primed the fuel pump again, pulled the vacuum hose dry as a bone. Checked voltage before and after each cranking over, solid 12.95 volts, (shorai lithium bat) plenty of cranking power there too. Couldn't really check the voltage while it was running. So I guess plugs next, wouldn't hurt anyway if they're still the originals. Sounds like it's Flooding out... or Bad voltage to the coils... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOXXIC Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Mine did some of the same things when it needed an FPR, fuel pressure regulator. Installed new one and it ran like a champ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 thanks for the input guys. finally got a chance to try the bb today. 12.8 something volts before attempt, gas cap closed, hit the starter, cranked for a long time, really fast but nothing, checked voltage after cranking, 12.3 something, opened cap, volts back up to 12.7 something after a minite or so, cranked again really fast but still no fire. Volts after cranking 12.4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 After you cranked on it for a bit, was there a strong fuel smell from the exhaust? If not, The fuel pump is not making pressure. If you can smell fuel, check the connections to the coils and the signal pick-up under the right side engine cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 I didn't notice the smell of fuel at all, I've ordered a fpr, so i'll try that next and keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 I was sure it was a fuel problem, but the fpr made no difference, i'll try spark plugs next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 there IS fuel in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 yeh started off with a full tank, down to half a tank which I keep pouring back in after draining I did wonder if there might be a problem with the fuel itself but i'd put the other half of the tank into another bike and used it all with no problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) Find a friend with a Bird, and swap the ECU. Long shot, I know, but it's an easy test. You could even swap other things like the tip-over switch and MAP sensor. Edited September 9, 2014 by jon haney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 I don't know anyone local with one, there's a few wreckers around though, might be able to work something out, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Have you pulled the spark plugs yet ? the colour of the electrode might tell you if its electrical or fuel.also check the plug caps for splits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 no haven't gone there yet, I was pinning my hopes on fpr off to buy plugs this pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poida Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 it might not need plugs depending on what they look like.its not that hard to pull them using the plug spanner that comes with the bikes toolkit.tank off or propped back out of the way,airbox out and theres more than enough room to access them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99xx Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 I thought i'd replace the plugs anyway, it's been a while since the major service and pretty sure they weren't changed then. Looks like I've got a problem with the battery now, I cranked for quite a while last time I tried to start it and now it's down to 11.7 volts roughly, so i'll put it on the charge and replace the plugs and see how I go. I didn't think it was related but now i'm starting to wonder, the last time it was running, I hit the starter with it in gear and the clutch not pulled and I think I blew the headlight. I started it after that but only ran it for a few seconds and put it away until I got the headlight bulb replaced, since then it's played up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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