Starting Issues: Backfire, Grinding Sound, Low Idle

[snoozeworm]

Like the title says, I am having some starting issues. Let me start by saying that i have amsoil 20w50 in both holes and it is below 30 degrees here. Yes I ride all year every day (that there isn't ice). My 2003 buell xb9r has treated me well since 2008, but lately has been having some problems. Whenever i start it, it will turn over a few times, them make a terrible grinding noise (as if it kicked back and the starter wasn't strong enough to fight), then if im lucky it will attempt to fire at which point I give it a bit of throttle and she runs. I have to hold the throttle on to keep the idle at 1500 for about 30 seconds, I can then let go and it will idle at around 900 untill its warmed up. When its warmed up, it idles right on 1000 and runs like a champ.

What I have done to try and fix it:

1. Lowered Idle from 1100 to 1000 RPM to reduce the occurance of that grinding noise (it worked)
2. Lowered the Cold Start Enrichment Value via ECM Spy to reduce the occurance of backfiring (it worked)
3. Tps reset, Tps reset, and did i mention i did a Tps reset. NONE OF THEM DID ANYTHING TO HELP
4. Changed out spark plugs and wires, cleaned air filter, changed oils, ran seafoam in gas, anti-ethonal in gas (nothing worked here)
5. Came to buellxb.com and begged for help (in progress)

What I am willing to do:

1. Take ANY suggestions from people here, if you solve it for me I'll repay the favor somehow I promise
2. Pay an old...or current? buell tech to take a look at it (if you are within an hour or two of 26003

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gloomshadow]

IAT and O2 sensors?... is there enough voltage?

 

[snoozeworm]

Can your elaborate? Not sure what IAT sensor is, and I beleive the o2 sensor is the one that looks like mass air flow below the filter? I cleaned that with MAF Cleaner but never checked voltage.

 

[LoneWolf 03XB9S]

Incoming air temperature sensor is IAT.
Its a thermistor that changes resistance based on air temp.

 

[oh9bolt]

Old battery?

Does it sound like this?

 

[nemoxb]

I'm guessing the starter clutch is going out.

If I could hear it I could tell you for sure.

 

[Josh662234]

O2 sensor basically monitors your A/F ratio. It is located in your header.
Can be accessed without rotating your engine http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...ve-Method-of-Accessing-O2-Sensor-on-XB-Models

The IAT is your air intake temperature sensor and yes it is located below the filter. Ford uses the same part

 

[snoozeworm]

I am going down to the store to get a IAT sensor now, but I believe i read somewhere that the 03's don't have an 02 sensor, I could be very wrong. Any idea?

 

[snoozeworm]

UPDATE: I changed the IAT sensor and the O2 sensor out, also did the crankcase breather mod while i was in there. Still not running any better..... There was what looked like gasoline in the crankcase breather line.

Next Step: Buy a new battery from HD. Mine only has 220 CCA and my dealer says their batteries have 258 CCA

 

[Gloomshadow]

check your voltage output.. maybe a bad stator? Battery and stator work off of each other, if something is wrong with one, one can kill the other over time. Check battery AND stator's voltage output.
Your money wasn't wasted on the sensors anyway.. they go bad over time. You may have several issues going on at the same time... you just gotta eliminate all possibilities fist.