S4R Testa - oil in TPS plug attn Speeddog

[booger]

Went for a longish ride yesterday after I got home from work. Since I got it put back together a couple weeks ago I noticed it idled a little high and a little lumpy and ran snatchy under 4k. Thought it was a fuel trim or throttle sync issue. Died on me yesterday suddenly. Waited for a couple minutes and managed to force it to run and get me back home but it wasn't happy and neither was I. Hooked the laptop up today and noticed the throttle position was back up at 2.9deg like it was when I got the ecu back from reflashing. At that time it also threw a code that basically said the TPS had shorted to grnd. Noticed it wouldn't clear either at the time but I attributed it to me not knowing how to use the software properly. So the idling and rideability is still not correct in my view, and it died last night on my ride. Faulty TPS? So here's where I get scared. TPS has to be bought with a new TB from Ducati. $2k. Christ on a cracker.

I pull the plug just so that I can plug it in again with authority to try and rule the connection out, and I see motor oil in the plug. Hmmm. How the actual sh*t does motor oil manage to migrate into the TPS plug? It's not coming from above as in wicking down the wiring as that bit is dry. It has to be coming from the sensor side, but how? How does oil get up in the throttle body? Do I have super bad blowby at 4k miles and ten years old? Haven't done a compression test yet but perhaps I should.

So I blast both sides of the plug out with CRC electronic cleaner. Reconnect, pull the codes, clear the codes, and reset the TPS. No stored faults. We'll see how it rides.

But Speeddog, have you seen this before and how could this oil be getting into the TPS plug?

[Speeddog]

I've heard of an S4Rs with leaky seals on the throttle shafts, causing issues with the TPS.

I'll try to get some more info.

[Speeddog]

Checked with my source, yes, leaky throttle shaft seals will let 'oil' through into the TPS.

How many miles on the bike?

AFAIK, California Cycleworks has both a replacement TPS and replacement shaft seals.

[booger]

Oh fantastic. I was sweating having to replace a TB. Although my problems haven't come back, just rode a tank out with no issues. I'll likely get some seals. Thanks Speeddog.

[Speeddog]

You'll have to get a TPS as well, yours is likely fuxxored.

It's not a picnic fix, but way better than buying a new TB or fitting a suspect used TB.

[booger]

You'll have to get a TPS as well, yours is likely fuxxored.

It's not a picnic fix, but way better than buying a new TB or fitting a suspect used TB.

Yeah way way better. What's involved in the replacement? I'm assuming you are referring to the asspain of having to pull the TB to remove the original sensor when you say it's not a picnic fix. Or is there more asspain on top of that.

EDIT: Nevermind. TB has to come out, peened plate screws have to be ground to remove, blah blah. Appears to be a bit of a project. Joy. I can do it though.

[Howie]

http://ca-cycleworks.com/ca-cycleworks-products/throttle-position-sensor

Just find the one that fits your bike.

[itsamonster]

I used the 'exact' brand sensor from ca cycleworks. I didnt have to remove TB's ( unless you mean to do seals). It's held in by a thin metal ring with small teeth. It's a one time fit because you have to detroy it on removal.