Rough Running.... Need Help

[hightower]

Hi all, so as you know I've had my bike for little under a week, and it has developed a problem. I've searched the forums but couldn't find anything I thought was relevant, so just gonna explain what happened and hope someone can offer advice.

Bike has been running perfect for 6 days. Then yesterday night, after finishing work I went to ride home. The bike had been stood in the open car park all day, in some of the worst rain I've seen for quite some time. Went to fire her up with a full choke (as usual) and it just turned over with no sounds of starting. I checked everything (like kill switch etc) and tried again with a little less choke. She fired up reluctantly, but had a horrible sounding engine, kind of like a warble. And it felt like it was going to cut out/stall. Anyway, got going and from then it seemed ok - so I just put it down to the bad rain.

Cut to this morning, the bike had been garaged since I got in last night - wheeled her out and fired her up. This time she fired up straight away but still with reluctance, and she sounded like crap again. So thought I'd get on the road and see what happens. Rode round to Tesco and she was riding like crap, sounding like a Harley is probably the closest description I can give - no power at all. Stopped at Tescos, and when I came back out, fired her up again and she still sounded terrible. On the road to work we go, and she's still riding like crap, but some news symptoms. When I open the throttle it starts accelerating (but slowly, no power hardly) and then suddenly a split second burst of energy and back to running crap - literally a split second, no more - like a monster trying to fight out of a cage. And then a couple of seconds later a backfire, just a little one. Runs like this for about a mile and then all symptoms seem to be gone (although I didn't really get a chance to check as no 60 roads, could only accelerate up to 30). Get to work, give it a little twist parked up and it sounds much better - although again, I didn't get much chance to check it.

So, I'm hoping you guys have a solution for me, because I really don't want a headache 6 days in to being a bike owner

[hightower]

After a little more searching, it seems Darrsi had something similar a couple of months ago. His solution (by what I can make of it) was to drain the float bowls - would this be a good place to start? If so, how would water have gotten in? It wouldn't be from the rain right? It would have to come from the fuel surely?

[richfzs]

Had the bike been standing for a long time before you bought it? Was the tank empty (or nearly so)? Lots of air in the tank, and cold fuel, causes condensation - hence water in the tank. Maybe your week of use just dragged enough into the carbs to start causing a problem.

Anyway, draining them certainly can't hurt and is free and quick!

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[hightower]

I will try and do that at dinner time today then. It had only been in the shop a week (it came in when I had my penultimate bike lesson and I reserved it straight away), and had about half a tank of fuel in it. It hasn't stood still since then.

Will let you know how I get on.

[hightower]

Oh yeah, forgot. I don't know how to do this - is it as easy as in Darrsi's post? How much fuel should I drain off each, and do I need any special equipment or is a standard screwdriver enough?

Thanks,

[red98]

think you problem is electrics not fuel......sounds as if its only running on two or three cylinders....probs got damp with all that rain,take the plugs out and dry them out,give them a clean and check the gap.....good tip is to leave them in the airing cupboard overnight to really dry out,also check the plug caps make sure they are a good fit on the leads and the rubber caps are all in place......a spray of wd40 would be good,to keep the damp/moisture out.
also worth checking that the plug drain holes are clear,thats the hole on the side of the cylinder head 

[richfzs]

Red is the expert on stuttering 600's :rollin

If it's damp electrics, I'd expect it to go away once everything has warmed through properly - it does sound as though that might be happening, from your description. How long have the journeys mentioned been?

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[hightower]

It's only 3 miles either way to work. Will check plugs etc too, although not sure how to do drain holes....

Also, it had a problem last night, then got better on way home, was stored in dry garage, and had problem this morning again which again got better during journey in. Would electrics do that (off and on)?

[richfzs]

That's not long enough to get everything properly hot, so yes, electrics could be suspect here. Take a long way home tonight, do 20 miles (but keep close to civilisation in case it stops completely :rollin)

The (two) drain holes are either side of the block, on a level (ish) with the top of the plug holes.

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[hightower]

Cheers guys, really appreciate the dumbed down advice. Will do that tonight and see what happens (the long way home), but have plans tonight so can't do any work on it until Friday night.

[Buzz]

Re. drain holes, jam a pipe cleaner up there from each side and jiggle it about, then squirt some water down next to the plugs and see if it dribbles out the drain hole.  When I got my bike the plugs were totally rusty around the nut from all the trapped water.

[hightower]

Also, gonna drain the carbs as well, just to cover a few bases - how much fuel should I pull through each?

[red98]

oh yes...i know a good stutter when i see one  :lol .......be carefull with the drain screws they are very soft,made of cheese  ......just the one drain should do it but it wouldnt hurt filling them again and rinse through....good luck 

[Dead Eye]

Probably about 2 times the capacity of the float bowls? Trying to think of a sensible measuring technique I have some of the glass bowls that you get from GU deserts - they are fantastic for things like this and holding little parts

But, being a little more useful - id say less than 1/4 of a standard 200-250ml (1/2 pint~ in old money) glass? That should be more than enough to drain the bowls but it won't necessarily help if you have a lot of water in the fuel tank.

I agree with red98 though - this sounds more electrical to me and that you are running on 2 / 3 cylinders. That accounts for the loss of power, sounding like a Harley and the small backfires as fuel isn't being ignited in 1 or more of the cylinders

[red98]

the clues in the backfire......the fuel is getting through but igniting in the wrong place 

[darrsi]

My money's on spark plug caps not firmly screwed in and moisture has affected the connection 

[hightower]

Ok, so going to skip the float bowls for now and worry about the spark connections. I like things mapped out so I know what I'm doing, so how does this sound:

1) Clear drain holes and make sure water can trickle out (before removing plugs)
2) Give plug entry point blast of compressed air before removing plugs to blow away dirt
3) Remove plug caps (after labelling if not already)
4) Remove plugs, label up, and store in house overnight to dry out - obviously give plugs a once over and check gap here too
5) Refit plugs
6) Refit caps making sure the connection/seal is good
7) Give the open part of the plugs and leads a spray with WD40, and then refit the rubber boot
8) Try it out

Have I missed anything off, done something in the wrong order, or put in something that has no place here?

Thanks

[red98]

sounds good to me 

[darrsi]

If you have any loose spark plug caps take them off and have a look at the condition of the inner wire, if they look ropey cut 5mm off the end of each one and start afresh when screwing the caps back in for a firmer fit.

[hightower]

Ok, might be asking more questions about that if it is an issue. It's dry up here today, but got to rain tomorrow again - wish I was available to have a look tonight but far too busy