Author Topic: sputtering (Read 8876 times)

Vitalc · **on:** October 06, 2010, 12:23:59 am

Hesitating, coughing, sputtering at full throttle. 1100 miles total, 500 miles since service. Tank is half full.
Rides well, it seems, at half throttle, but sputters when wide open.
What's going on? must be the carbs

Any ideas of simple things I should check before I bring it to the shop?

thanks

prof_stack · **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:25:46 am

Quote from: Vitalc on October 06, 2010, 12:23:59 am

Hesitating, coughing, sputtering at full throttle. 1100 miles total, 500 miles since service. Tank is half full.
Rides well, it seems, at half throttle, but sputters when wide open.
What's going on? must be the carbs
Any ideas of simple things I should check before I bring it to the shop?

thanks

Sounds like you better "pilot" your RE and "jet" to the shop!

r80rt · **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:30:15 am

Bad gas? a little waterr in the tank? Simple stuff first

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:37:16 am

Do you hear the fuel pump spin up when you turn the key and flip the switch?

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2010, 02:50:21 am

Also check your plug and wire. The throttle body and air filter connections,all intake connections.Throttle body to the head. Make sure air is not getting sucked in anywhere except through the filter.If when you pull your plug, it's all white, that could be a sign of the above, running too lean. you could also try spraying some carb cleaner, wire contact cleaner or wd-40 around the intake connections, your listening for a change in Idle.Make sure the air filter is OK. I know, you just had the serviced, but check it, what the heck.
It does sound fuel starved to me though.Check inside your tank and make sure you don't see anything floating around, or laying at the bottom of the tank, that could be getting into the fuel line.It also could be a sensor. check all the wire connections to the sensors, Is your engine light glowing? If it is, there a test wire that you ground to the chassis, it will make the engine light blink whatever trouble code there may be. It will be a series of blinks, and depending on what the series is, it will tell you whats wrong.
Maybe also check the head pipe on the exhaust, make sure it's tight. If loose, it maybe screwing up the O2 sensor?

Vitalc · **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2010, 03:45:27 am

Fuel pump whirzz. Air filter looks and feels normal.
Plug, will see tomorrow.
BTW the last 500 miles were all in nice, dry weather. Also she has a reverse cone pipe.

I had warmed her for 10 miles or so and was trying if REALLY, I couldn't get her to go over 100. Mm, at least 10 short. Then returning home, she started sputtering, like a runner who had pulled a muscle.
So sad, I thought that is what those bikes are made for: hugging the tank, nose in the clocks, feet on the passenger pegs, left hand holding the forkleg, right claw in a throttle cramp...

Oh well, will see if she is the same genotype and constitution as scooterbob's

cheers

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:35:41 am

Took mine to top speed around 1500 miles, no problems so don't worry too much. Didn't make much over 80 but I'm fat.

Spark plug wire on tight? Check for other loose electrical connections.

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:37:09 am

Oh, why didn't you say that in the beginning? You blew the motor LOL!

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:45:05 am

Hey, have some sympathy gorilla. Poor guy's asking for help.

If you really blew the motor it prolly would have quit at speed, not on the cruise home. Though it is suspect that it started right after your high speed run. Start checking for loose electrical connections, frayed wires, etc. Don't be afraid to stop at your dealer and be honest.

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:01:32 am

OK , just kidding

SSR · **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:33:25 am

I feel its the plugs. Check them if they are shot or need gap adjusting.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2010, 05:39:39 pm

Quote from: gashousegorilla on October 06, 2010, 05:01:32 am

OK , just kidding

No! Unacceptable! This has gone too far!

I delcare no more messing with new owners until 2000 miles. They are young, fragile, vulnerable, and need the utmost protection from web site hooligans like YOU gorilla!

Totally kidding. Just trying to help newbies along without too much harrassment, that's all. If you have the undeniable urge to hassle someone pick me. You can razz me all you like, I can take it. (I hope.)

Scott

qgolden · **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2010, 06:43:13 pm

Yah, gotta' be a little bit careful with the new fella's. After a several months hangin' out with you guys I have sorta' figured out your personalities. But a new guy with a problem is under enough stress as it is. He might have laid down his very last 6 grand for one of these and not understand that they are not the latest in manufacturing technology. Add to that a young wife that my not be fully on board and a kid....well, we have all been there before......

We want them to stick around for a while....besides we need the fun!

Kevin Mahoney · **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:00:42 pm

It will be something simple. The odds of "blowing up" that engine are about zero unless you run it with no oil. It has a rev. limiter to protect you from yourself and the engine is very well designed.

I also suggest taking into the shop for some warranty work.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:04:50 pm

When the US distributor has your back on warranty work, you can't ask for more than that

Scott

billy2sheds · **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:34:37 pm

Quote from: Kevin Mahoney on October 06, 2010, 07:00:42 pm

It will be something simple. The odds of "blowing up" that engine are about zero unless you run it with no oil. It has a rev. limiter to protect you from yourself and the engine is very well designed.

I also suggest taking into the shop for some warranty work.

rev limiter,that could have been my problem,i was at a set of traffic lights in the outside lane they changed to green i gave it the beans,going great untill i was flat out in fourth gear then nothing she just sat there spluttering popping and @@@ting.
i knocked her into top and she picked up and i took her up to 70 then ran out of road.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:45:01 pm

Sounds like it. That's what happens with rev limiters, you're zipping right along and then it just barfs at high revs. Off the throttle a little and it's back to normal.

Most cut spark once you cross the line. Either way, it tends to be a rather abrupt interruption to a good time. If it's running smooth at more reasonable engine speeds then you're prolly just fine.

I've hit the limiter on most of my bikes. Some feel smooth, like a bog in the carburetion. The Ducati hit like a brick wall, very abrupt and very unsettling if cornering. Also easy to hit on that bike, it just keeps smoothly pulling no matter how much you rev it. At least the RE is probably tapering off on power and vibrating enough to let you know that you're wringing its neck before you hit it.

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:51:22 pm

OK boys, point taken, I will behave. But you must admit, he was kidding with us about the no handed, full throttled attempt at the Ton. I meant no harm, I don't think any was taken,I thought that was clear, If it did, I apologize.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2010, 07:58:23 pm

I knew what you meant, no offense here. I just don't want a newbie not used to the usual ribbing around here to get the wrong impression, that's all. Gotta keep the new converts coming

Consider the subject closed

Scott

Vitalc · **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2010, 08:09:45 pm

Quote from: Ducati Scotty on October 06, 2010, 05:39:39 pm

They are young, fragile, vulnerable, and need the utmost protection

Totally agree! under 60 you're young and fragile and vulnerable, and then, over 70 you're old and fragile and vulnerable

This must be the most courteous and respectful bike forum I ever came across .
And a very helpful one, of course.

It seems to me it was more throttle position - than rpm, though I'm not absolutely sure. That's why I thought "carbs" or fuel delivery. Can't look around the gastank - without a periscope. ...Reminds me of a similar experience with an outrageous Confederate. The issue there : the peeling coating of the carbonfibre tank was clogging the fuelfilter off and on.
What happens during a topspeed run, I guess is NOT max rmp, NOT max heat, but max fuel and air flow. Anyway, will make a dealer appointment, and check some more.

Thanks a bunch

Vitalc · **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2010, 01:18:03 am

I thought I’d follow up about this, as you all have been so kind to try and help me out.
That is, apart from GHG, who didn’t realize the fragility of my feelings

.

So the bright RE mechanic discovered a voltage drop at the fuel pump connector, which lead him to find a half-broken terminal connection – giving poor connection, so when the demand for fuel increased , it failed.

Sorted under warranty. Thanks Royal.

Bike rides fine again, ready for more speed testing

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2010, 01:40:24 am

Glad to hear the outcome for you and that the RE tech was so sharp. RE just seems to attract good people.

Scott

gashousegorilla · **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2010, 02:10:48 am

Glad you got it sorted Vitalc.

Sharp Mechanic to.
Did someone around here say it sounded like it was fuel starved?

Sub · **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:00:17 pm

Quote from: Vitalc on October 06, 2010, 03:45:27 am

Also she has a reverse cone pipe.

Stop looking for the problem, this is it. I went through three different pipes before realizing that the stock map can NOT handle open (or anywhere near open) pipes. I had ALL of the same problems as you did, hesitations, stalling at idle...). Then I put on the more restrictive EFI silencer, and they immediately went away. I even tried the megaphone that RE sells direct, and it was the worst of them all. These bikes NEED back pressure.

Your solution is to change your pipe!

SSR · **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2010, 07:13:36 pm

Quote from: Sub on October 14, 2010, 07:00:17 pm

Stop looking for the problem, this is it. I went through three different pipes before realizing that the stock map can NOT handle open (or anywhere near open) pipes. I had ALL of the same problems as you did, hesitations, stalling at idle...). Then I put on the more restrictive EFI silencer, and they immediately went away. I even tried the megaphone that RE sells direct, and it was the worst of them all. These bikes NEED back pressure.

Your solution is to change your pipe!

I totally agree with you on this. My C5 performs far better with the bazooka then the upswept. These bulls need back pressure.

Anon · **Reply #25 on:** October 14, 2010, 08:56:16 pm

Quote from: Sub on October 14, 2010, 07:00:17 pm

Stop looking for the problem, this is it. I went through three different pipes before realizing that the stock map can NOT handle open (or anywhere near open) pipes. I had ALL of the same problems as you did, hesitations, stalling at idle...). Then I put on the more restrictive EFI silencer, and they immediately went away. I even tried the megaphone that RE sells direct, and it was the worst of them all. These bikes NEED back pressure.

Your solution is to change your pipe!

Uh... did you notice that a few posts up he says the problem was discovered and resolved? It was a poor electrical connection at the fuel pump - nothing to do with the exhaust.

Eamon

clubman · **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2010, 09:26:44 pm

Also the Goldie pipe that Watsonian sell is an open pipe. It works brilliantly - my bike had never stalled or stuttered and pick up is linear. I honestly cannot fault it.

Sub · **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2010, 01:17:53 am

Quote from: Eamon on October 14, 2010, 08:56:16 pm

Uh... did you notice that a few posts up he says the problem was discovered and resolved? It was a poor electrical connection at the fuel pump - nothing to do with the exhaust.

Eamon

Oops, well for anyone else reading this in the future, its still handy info. My problems were identical!

Vitalc · **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2010, 02:20:30 am

...maybe bikes with a poor electrical connection at the fuelpump don't support an open pipe ?

clubman, each time I see your avatar, I start dreaming about a G5 continental kit.
I was told it will be in the 2011 catalogue.
Would be a great winter project...

ScooterBob · **Reply #29 on:** October 15, 2010, 01:07:37 pm

Quote from: Sub on October 14, 2010, 07:00:17 pm

Stop looking for the problem, this is it. I went through three different pipes before realizing that the stock map can NOT handle open (or anywhere near open) pipes. I had ALL of the same problems as you did, hesitations, stalling at idle...). Then I put on the more restrictive EFI silencer, and they immediately went away. I even tried the megaphone that RE sells direct, and it was the worst of them all. These bikes NEED back pressure.

Your solution is to change your pipe!

The Crash Test Dummy would prove otherwise with its TOTALLY stock EFI system - and rudely OPEN (meggy!) exhaust ..... I think SOME one has been beaten with the Harley Stick ..... "If you put new chrome floor boards on it, you gotta get 'er REEEE_mapped, buddeh ..... "

2bikebill · **Reply #30 on:** October 15, 2010, 05:24:20 pm

".....These bikes NEED back pressure....."

Nonsense.
My G5 LOVES the Goldstar exhaust - straight through open pipe.
Doesn't sputter, doesn't stall, goes like shite off a wet shovel....
and still gets 85mpg
Loves it...

billy2sheds · **Reply #31 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:32:09 pm

Quote from: WillW on October 15, 2010, 05:24:20 pm

".....These bikes NEED back pressure....."

Nonsense.
My G5 LOVES the Goldstar exhaust - straight through open pipe.
Doesn't sputter, doesn't stall, goes like shite off a wet shovel....
and still gets 85mpg
Loves it...

[/quot
e]
you have a way with words willw.

ScooterBob · **Reply #32 on:** October 15, 2010, 09:31:22 pm

I once had a fellow tell me that a car NEEDED back-pressure to run good - I told him to jam a potato or two up in the pipe so it would be REALLY fast .......

2bikebill · **Reply #33 on:** October 15, 2010, 09:45:24 pm

singhg5 · **Reply #34 on:** October 15, 2010, 11:41:26 pm

Quote from: ScooterBob on October 15, 2010, 09:31:22 pm

I once had a fellow tell me that a car NEEDED back-pressure to run good - I told him to jam a potato or two up in the pipe so it would be REALLY fast .......

CMW catalog or some kind of manual had potatoes too - though for a different purpose.

Sure, you will remember that ! My memory is fading - its TGIF.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #35 on:** October 15, 2010, 11:42:57 pm

Quote from: singhg5 on October 15, 2010, 11:41:26 pm

CMW catalog or some kind of manual had potatoes too - though for a different purpose.

Hey! This is a family friendly forum!

Scott

SSR · **Reply #36 on:** October 16, 2010, 05:49:53 am

Easy there Lads, we don't want any potatoes exploding on here.

@Will - "goes like shite off a wet shovel" No wonder you get 85mpg and your bike is surely fast.

2bikebill · **Reply #37 on:** October 16, 2010, 08:32:20 am

Shiny chrome - lots of it on the G5 DeLuxe - adds a couple of hp, and wearing earplugs seems to add a couple more........

singhg5 · **Reply #38 on:** October 16, 2010, 07:55:15 pm

Quote from: Ducati Scotty on October 15, 2010, 11:42:57 pm

Hey! This is a family friendly forum!

@Scott & @SSR - check it out, an Idaho speciality in Nfieldgear

http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/catalogsearch/result/?q=potato

gashousegorilla · **Reply #39 on:** October 16, 2010, 09:40:41 pm

Ya know singh, I have to disagree with there findings on the merits of the red potato.I have found then when properly wadded with boiled cabbage, the red potato is far Superior to the russet, both in ft per second and accuracy. The boiled cabbage wadding seems to lubricate the pipe, and increases muzzle/ tail pipe velocity as well.
For the ultimate scatter gun effect, perhaps to be used on the obnoxious Hog riding neighbor, a half boiled red potato can hardly be beat.

Andy · **Reply #40 on:** October 17, 2010, 01:44:42 pm

Quote from: singhg5 on October 16, 2010, 07:55:15 pm

@Scott & @SSR - check it out, an Idaho speciality in Nfieldgear

http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/catalogsearch/result/?q=potato

I'll have to add that to my wishlist.

ScooterBob · **Reply #41 on:** October 18, 2010, 01:54:35 am

Quote from: gashousegorilla on October 16, 2010, 09:40:41 pm

Ya know singh, I have to disagree with there findings on the merits of the red potato.I have found then when properly wadded with boiled cabbage, the red potato is far Superior to the russet, both in ft per second and accuracy. The boiled cabbage wadding seems to lubricate the pipe, and increases muzzle/ tail pipe velocity as well.
For the ultimate scatter gun effect, perhaps to be used on the obnoxious Hog riding neighbor, a half boiled red potato can hardly be beat.

Snicker, snicker - That wouldn't be an IRISH recipe would it??

gashousegorilla · **Reply #42 on:** October 18, 2010, 02:52:37 am

Quote from: ScooterBob on October 18, 2010, 01:54:35 am

Snicker, snicker - That wouldn't be an IRISH recipe would it??

qgolden · **Reply #43 on:** October 18, 2010, 09:38:23 pm

Ordered my 'Tater today, gonna' plant it in the spring so I have a lifetime supply!!

That will put me way ahead of the curve!

TheFatMan · **Reply #44 on:** October 18, 2010, 11:43:30 pm

Pardon my ignorance, but how exactly does one use a potato to decarbonize an exhaust?
I am going to be sorry I asked. aren't I?
http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/potato.html
TFM

qgolden · **Reply #45 on:** October 19, 2010, 01:09:12 am

Legend has it that It was used as a stopper in the exhaust pipe. You could plug the pipe with the potato (Or any similar vegetable) and pour a caustic soda mixture in the other end to dissolve the carbon out of the pipe.

I myself use a Hamster or Gerbil. Plug one end of the pipe, drop in the critter, tip the pipe up on it’s end. As the critter tries to climb up the pipe it scrapes the carbon off of the walls of the pipe…..

gashousegorilla · **Reply #46 on:** October 19, 2010, 04:55:24 am

Quinn, would you need to rotate the pipe while it doing it's work?

qgolden · **Reply #47 on:** October 19, 2010, 01:17:51 pm

Probably best to let this thread die...

this could get out of hand....

Okie Enfield · **Reply #48 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:52:55 pm

no must bring back gerbil!

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #49 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:23:07 pm

The problem with the gerbil/hamster is that they've gotten too smart. The word is out and they now know it's easier to eat through the potato on the bottom than claw your way up the pipe.

The only way around this is to find a critter who's on the Atkins diet. Those guys avoid eating carbs like nobody's business!

Scott