Running on one Cylinder need help

[jcrosby4288]

Ok guys so this morning i went to go ride my bike to work it was 35 degrees here in NJ havent road my bike in about a month, i did put fuel stab in it before i stopped riding it, but i didnt have it on my tender. When i went to go start the bike it barely turned over and didnt spin the motor fast enough to start completely just sputtered a bunch. i then put the bike on a tender for the whole day and I just went to go start the bike up and WTF IT SOUNDED VERY ODD I immediately could tell only the rear cylinder was firing so now i have no clue what to do next. is it fouled plugs or something with the fuel injection i mean it idles but sounds horrible.[confused][mad]

 

[user_deleted]

for any cylinder to fire you need compression, fuel, and a spark. i believe you simply fouled a plug and betting it is the rear one but that's a hunch. pull both plugs and i believe you'll find they are extremely soaked with raw fuel. check the plug wires and boots while you're doing it. i would switch to a new set of NGK DCPR9EIX iridium tipped plugs to prevent this again. they're available online and most all auto parts stores for around $8 each. also keep in mind that a battery tender + puts out barely an amp or so of juice and you might want to think about getting a larger charger...say a 10 amp or so model and giving the battery full charge with same. just a thought.

 

[crawfo]

Depending on what year your bike is you have the ability to cycle the motor without providing fuel to attempt to un flood it and get it to run properly. This is an option for the 2008 - 2010 XB's. May help your situation but if your plug is really fouled then you should just change them out.

 

[Jzfn13]

The problem is most likely the same problem I had when I went to fire my bike up in the cold after having last rode it in 70 degree weather. My bike sputtered and popped and jerked and ran on one cylinder. it would barely idle. Just fire it up and ride it 2 or 3 miles, and hold on for your life! My baby smoothed right out and ran like a champ after that. These computers take a little time to adjust properly. That process speeds up once you get that motor warmed up a bit.

 

[deathandtexas]

Check the wires - I ahd the same problem and I was changing my plugs stupidly when I realized one of the wires had wiggled loose.

 

[BKKBuell]

I had this several times
Spark plug, loose wire and so on
And it happens always after the bike stood for a longer time

 

[jcrosby4288]

[quote[/i would switch to a new set of NGK DCPR9EIX iridium tipped plugs to prevent this againquote]

are these good to get i read alot of stuff on here just saying to get stock ones?

Depending on what year your bike is you have the ability to cycle the motor without providing fuel to attempt to un flood it and get it to run properly. This is an option for the 2008 - 2010 XB's. May help your situation but if your plug is really fouled then you should just change them out.

I was also curious if I do have a 08 xb12r how do i cyclye the engine in order to do this?

 

[Johny Kidd]

did you add fuel stab while motor was running? if not, fuel stab was not mixed with whole system and bad fuel has fouled plug. these ase very specific about old fuel, especially iridium -plugs.

 

[crawfo]

I was also curious if I do have a 08 xb12r how do i cyclye the engine in order to do this?

I'm not sure on the sequence but i know its on here and i believe in your owners manual. If you search fouled plugs on here others have posted it, maybe they will chime in.

 

[deathandtexas]

No real point to change the plugs if you don't have to... the HD plugs should be good for 80k miles (aka other things will go long before they do).

 

[jcrosby4288]

Def was fouled plugs... the back spark plug was bad but the electrode had a spec of white showing so i guess it was enough to create an ignition source.It was the front plug that the electrode was completely black and my fron cylinder was the one that didnt fire.. I ended up buying the same plugs becasue every one seemed to recommend the stock ones ... the guy at the HD stealership said to do a TPS reset and i did but it didnt help so i just started wrenching... and man she runs great my only concern is that these plugs arent pre gapped i got the harely spark plug 10r12x if any one knows please chime in becasue if they arent i will be dismantling the bike tomorrow to start all over.


oh and to add i only had 3500 miles on these plugs i guess its a case of bad gas ... i did put stab in her but i guess i didnt run it long enough through the motor

 

[BKKBuell]

U can clean them use scotch brite and soke them in alcohol and dry clean powder
It work on mine for 2 times them the plugs are done

 

[user_deleted]

the HD plugs should be good for 80k miles

really?

 

[Lesley]

the HD plugs should be good for 80k miles

really?

Man thats some high mileage plugs. I sure hope thats a typo/error-
BTW I believe HD plugs are actually Champions. I could be wrong.

 

[wally]

Wire brush attachment on a drill works wonders!

Then just check the gap with feeler gauges and they should last a while longer.
If the electrode is still in good shape, no need to trash the plugs. Just clean them up.

 

[Snosnake65]

Had this problem with my new to me 09 12Ss. Easy way to tell which cylinder is f'd is to use an infrared thermometer to measure temp of the exhaust at cylinder head. Within seconds I knew the front cylinder was not firing, i.e. front exh temp 48 degF and rear exh temp 400 degF. No guessing. And as a quick note, I also could tell it was on one cylinder because it sounded like a Buell Blast idling.[smirk]

 

[RamAirZ]

I had this happen the other day and it was a loose coil wiring harness plug. Just something to look at if the plugs/wires look good like mine did