Help! I don't want to take my bike to the shop

[eric_bloomer]

The bike won't idle. Here's a video of me starting the bike. I have to give it gas to keep it going but it still stalls out. It just started doing this suddenly. I've replaced the intake seals and spark plugs. The battery is fine and the tps was reset. What should I try next?

 

[wiznut]

Quite likely you fouled the new spark plugs.

 

[eric_bloomer]

The old plugs weren't fouled. The bike acted the same before and after the plug change.

 

[buellbradski]

Did it act like this before th tps reset? Had the bike sat for anytime ? If so did you stabil or drain the gas?

 

[BuellSki]

Did you get a right fit on the seals? Mine was acting funny when mine went.

 

[eric_bloomer]

The bike hasn't sat. I ride it several days a week. Usually around 100-200 miles per week. It had had some trouble starting in the month prior. I'd have to blip the throttle right after hitting the start button to get it to go. Everything I've done so far has had no impact on the inability to idle. Spark plugs, tps reset, seal replacement. I'm pretty sure I got a good fit on the seals as there didn't appear to be a leak with the old ones and the new ones didn't change anything.

 

[hottschott]

In my professional opinion, it is definitely either your flux capacitor, or muffler bearings.

On second thought...

 

[eric_bloomer]

Thanks hottschott. I'll remember this the next time you need help changing your spark plugs!

 

[hottschott]

man, those were hell. next time we are just dropping the engine lol

 

[12R_FIRE]

Unfortunately thats what i feel like in a cessna 172 right now[up]

 

[mowgoli84]

You may have already done this but check all your grounds, connections, etc. May not the issue but start ruling out the cheap stuff first.

Sounds like your plugs are fouled to me. Idk if hotschott is referrign to xb plug changing is a bitch, or if hes referring to 1125 plug change.. which also blows. xb plug change is easy with an extension and a swivel attachment.

I'd change the plugs, do another TPS reset. Maybe consider getting some new/better plug wires.

Get a can of starter spray, have a buddy keep it running while you spray around the intake to check for a leak..

I doubt it'd cause an idle such as this but did you gap the plugs correctly?

Does it clear up when you increase the RPM's?

Eliminate the simple/cheap stuff first... then start looking for a wrencher.

good luck!

 

[eric_bloomer]

Thanks everyone so far!

Mowgoli, it's done the same thing on both sets of plugs I've had in this month. And they are properly gapped at .035. I just put the Harley spark plug wires on that I ordered from ASB. It will rev up but not quickly, and if i hold the throttle partway open it'll rev up but then it won't stay there. Just sputter back down. I'll check out the grounds tonight. There's no intake leak as far as i can tell.

 

[mowgoli84]

Mowgoli, it's done the same thing on both sets of plugs I've had in this month. And they are properly gapped at .035. I just put the Harley spark plug wires on that I ordered from ASB. It will rev up but not quickly, and if i hold the throttle partway open it'll rev up but then it won't stay there. Just sputter back down. I'll check out the grounds tonight. There's no intake leak as far as i can tell.

I get what you mean about it doing it on both set of plugs but it wont hurt to pull them and take a look. These bikes foul plugs pretty easily...sometimes it only takes a few bad starts.

Have you checked for intake leaks with a can of spray yet?

 

[FlaXB9R]

Any trouble codes?

 

[Disturbed1]

Pull the air box off and look into the throttle body. Open up the butterfly. Look to where the butterfly closes against the throttle body. Make sure there is no grimy buildup of gunk or obstruction holding the butterfly open. I know you said you changed the intake seals, so I figured you would have check this, but just asking.

 

[Johny Kidd]

Do you have fresh gas in the tank? Old gas fouls plugs and O2 sensor very quickly. If intake doesnt leak, i would guess plugs or O2 sensor.

 

[CrazyTexan]

Are both the headers getting hot? Mine sounded very similar and when I put a timing light on front wire it was only firing a fraction of the time. New pkugs diddnt fiix it. It was the spark pkug wire where it snaps on the plug. It was distorted and corroded. Also the coil had a lot of crap built up .

Thats after cleaning the coil. Its all deformed but it fires true still

 

[HMTRAN]

Everybody here has some great advice for you. When checking you coil packs you could just look up the resistance spec and check that before you just replace the wire, put it all back together and find out it isn't just the wires

 

[eric_bloomer]

Thanks again you guys. It's in the hands of professionals now though. I'm too busy to keep tinkering with it and I need to ride to keep me sane during tax season. I'm trying to study for my CPA exam during the busiest time of the year. Just had the bike towed by AAA to Lawndale Cycle here in Socal. I'll post up what the solution was once I know

 

[eric_bloomer]

So just got a call from the shop. New fuel pump. Gonna go pick up the bike after work. If anyone needs service in Los Angeles, Mike Martin at Lawndale Cycle is pretty good.