[Goldwing_WannaB]

Hi,

Would be great to get your input on this.

My -02 900SSie ran fine last season. After winter it started ok but when I go for a drive it starts to do occasional "coughs" with a quick powerloss when it's getting warmer and runs more and more blurry.

At the end of last trip (+1h) I stopped at a gas station to get carburator cleaner and it would hardly start efter that stop. I had to give gas all the time, also on a red light for it not to die.

Any suggestions? Pretty inexperienced when it comes to these things.

Thanks!

 

[Sherpa23F]

At the end of last trip (+1h) I stopped at a gas station to get carburator cleaner and it would hardly start efter that stop. I had to give gas all the time, also on a red light for it not to die.

Any suggestions? Pretty inexperienced when it comes to these things.

Thanks!

Any particular reason you put carburetor cleaner in a fuel injected bike?

 

[Goldwing_WannaB]

Any particular reason you put carburetor cleaner in a fuel injected bike?

Sorry, meant injection cleaner.

 

[duc96cr]

What might have changed since last season ? Injectors May have crude up, so injection cleaner is a good thing. I don’t know what type you used, some aren’t that great. I use SeaFoam. Check your air box, make sure it’s clear. Test your battery . It should check at least 12.6 v. If it is lower, see if it holds a good charge. Since the issue is getting worse you may want to consider draining the fuel out .

 

[casor]

What might have changed since last season ? Injectors May have crude up, so injection cleaner is a good thing. I don’t know what type you used, some aren’t that great. I use SeaFoam. Check your air box, make sure it’s clear. Test your battery . It should check at least 12.6 v. If it is lower, see if it holds a good charge. Since the issue is getting worse you may want to consider draining the fuel out .

Yes, and...…

My 916 runs like shit if the battery is low.

Bad/clogged injectors, weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, air leak. Valves way out getting tight when hot

Look at the plugs, check for air leaks, and the batt first.

 

[Goldwing_WannaB]

I just went for a ride and hooked up to the charger after last run (showed 3/4 on charger so probably not battery even if I've experienced similar stuff on low battery/loose cable).
Started ok as usual, 15 min in and had first hick up. Turned home but drove pass as it didn't get worse and... now she runs better than ever.

Could it be the gas sitting in the tank over winter? Do you drain yours? Probably had 1/4 of the old gasoline left when I went out today.

 

[dspear99ca]

I just went for a ride and hooked up to the charger after last run (showed 3/4 on charger so probably not battery even if I've experienced similar stuff on low battery/loose cable).
Started ok as usual, 15 min in and had first hick up. Turned home but drove pass as it didn't get worse and... now she runs better than ever.

Could it be the gas sitting in the tank over winter? Do you drain yours? Probably had 1/4 of the old gasoline left when I went out today.

I've heard that it's okay to leave gas sitting in your tank for 6 months without problems, but I put in some fuel stabilizer every fall... it's incredibly cheap insurance. I recently had a friend who had an old Honda that he hadn't ridden in 3 years. He mentioned to me he was thinking of getting rid of it as it wouldn't run well when he started it this spring. I suggested he change the fuel, which he did, and we just went for a ride together last weekend.

Another thing I checked (which I also would have looked at on yours) was the vent for the fuel tank. If the vent is plugged, the bike will start and run fine. But as the fuel is used and no air is allowed into the tank to replace the volume, a vacuum develops in the tank. Over time, the vacuum gets strong enough to starve the engine which gives symptoms such as yours.

A clogged fuel filter can also cause these symptoms: it's full of fuel, the bike starts and runs, over time more fuel is being demanded than can pass through the filter, so the bike starts to run rough and eventually dies.

 

[Goldwing_WannaB]

I've heard that it's okay to leave gas sitting in your tank for 6 months without problems, but I put in some fuel stabilizer every fall... it's incredibly cheap insurance. I recently had a friend who had an old Honda that he hadn't ridden in 3 years. He mentioned to me he was thinking of getting rid of it as it wouldn't run well when he started it this spring. I suggested he change the fuel, which he did, and we just went for a ride together last weekend.

Another thing I checked (which I also would have looked at on yours) was the vent for the fuel tank. If the vent is plugged, the bike will start and run fine. But as the fuel is used and no air is allowed into the tank to replace the volume, a vacuum develops in the tank. Over time, the vacuum gets strong enough to starve the engine which gives symptoms such as yours.

A clogged fuel filter can also cause these symptoms: it's full of fuel, the bike starts and runs, over time more fuel is being demanded than can pass through the filter, so the bike starts to run rough and eventually dies.

Great, thanks. Didn't know of fuel stabilizer, will definitely have a look for that.

 

[bigbadbass2]

i've had superb results with this poop here, their marine formula, available any Wal mart

1/2 oz added per (every) tankful

 

[duc96cr]

Gasoline won’t be good for 6 months, though the bike might run. 6 weeks is more like it. I put stabilizer in everything every year and drain my bikes for the winter.

 

[bigbadbass2]

Gasoline won’t be good for 6 months, though the bike might run. 6 weeks is more like it. I put stabilizer in everything every year and drain my bikes for the winter.

Can't agree more. Modern ethanol pump fuel "drops out" in alarmingly short interval. After 6 months, its got that rotted smell and combustion is somewhat compromised. The reality is...nowhere nearby offers non-ethanol alternative.

So i use the Stabil stuff I posted above in every tankful, as owning multiple bikes, splitting seat time they will sit from time to time. Its an ethanol treatment/stabilizer/system cleaner combo. Short of a scientific report...I can only submit I've had good results with it.

@duc96cr I see you are a multiple bike owner as well...what is your fuel stabilization technique *during* season?

 

[casor]

Can't agree more. Modern ethanol pump fuel "drops out" in alarmingly short interval. After 6 months, its got that rotted smell and combustion is somewhat compromised. The reality is...nowhere nearby offers non-ethanol alternative.

So i use the Stabil stuff I posted above in every tankful, as owning multiple bikes, splitting seat time they will sit from time to time. Its an ethanol treatment/stabilizer/system cleaner combo. Short of a scientific report...I can only submit I've had good results with it.

@duc96cr I see you are a multiple bike owner as well...what is your fuel stabilization technique *during* season?

Yes and the modern gas is horrible. Here is my procedure:

My procedure for uncoated tanks is to fill them to the brim with shit gas and add Startron to neutralize the crap and Stabil to keep it alive for more than two weeks.
For coated or plastic tanks, I remove the gas if the bike is going to sit but, otherwise, Rule #1 applies.
I have a no E guy near me that is close to reasonable so I use that also for stuff that sits, but still follow the Rule #1 additives.
I have also been known to cut the shit gas with AVGAS or racing fuel to lower the shit %.
For bikes that have been sitting off season with 4-5 month old Rule #1 gas, I remove the gas and replace it with new Rule #1 gas and then ride it.
My lawn mower and pickup truck are the recipients of the old Rule #1 gas.

 

[duc96cr]

I throw some SeaFoam in almost every tankful, and I use mostly pure gas in my Monster with SeaFoam added. Other bikes get premium, lawn stuff gets regular. All get SeaFoam frequently.