My Monster is Groaning - UPDATE

donzo · October 22, 2009, 03:06:39 PM

And not in a good way. I got off the highway today on my way home and was stopped at a red light when I heard my exhaust sound like it hollowed out. I revved the engine a couple of times and it sounded like it was gonna conk out on me. The light changed and when I released the clutch into first gear, the bike wouldn't pull. I pulled over into a gas station and turned everything off and checked the bike out. Checked the airbox, no clogs, the end of the pipes were blowing exhaust out. Started it again and tried to pull out of first gear and the bike had no power. I limped it home for 6 miles, I almost called the number on my Ducati card. I've got an '07 s2r800 with full zards with MonsterMash's reflashed ecu. Outside temperature was about 45 degrees engine temperature was at 180. There was very light rain today. I don't know what's up. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions on troubleshooting?

Bun-bun · October 22, 2009, 03:54:23 PM

Ummm, stupid question, but since noone else is willing to chime in here. . .
Did you check to make sure you're getting spark to both cylinders?

donzo · October 22, 2009, 04:11:25 PM

I'm just heading into my garage right now. How do I check that?

donzo · October 22, 2009, 04:26:06 PM

pulled both plugs and reinserted them, didn't know what to look for. started the bike and it still has a hard time pulling out of first. i'll rev it high and release the clutch and it wants to conk out. when i rode it home earlier, i would rev it up to 6000rpm in 2nd and would still only be going about 25mph

Ducatl · October 22, 2009, 04:39:28 PM

I suppose you could be running on one cylinder...to check for spark you need to remove the plugs(make sure to plug them back into the plug wires) and have them placed on a ground source (read: not your body, I don't recommend holding them) etc.. and then crank the bike, you should see an arc across the gap. Remember to put the bike in neutral if you're not on it, I'd recommend 2 people, one can watch for spark while the other turns the bike over. alternatively, spark tester.

Is there any hesitation when you're revving it? If you're running on one cylinder it will sound/feel weird to rev.

Check your belts? I can't imagine the bike would run at all if you broke one but...you never know

donzo · October 22, 2009, 05:24:06 PM

i don't get what you mean by place it on a ground source.

so what if that's what it is? just get a new sparkplug?

duckb0y · October 22, 2009, 05:33:00 PM

Quote from: donzo on October 22, 2009, 05:24:06 PM
i don't get what you mean by place it on a ground source.

so what if that's what it is? just get a new sparkplug?

What you need to do is ground the spark plug to the engine. Unscrew the plug, reinsert it into the wire, and take a piece of bare wire and wrap it around the threads of the spark plug, and then secure it to a spot of bare metal on the engine somewhere. Crank over the engine and check for a blue spark at the end of the plug. Be careful, high voltage!

I haven't had to do this on anything that had more than one cylinder, so I'm not positive but I think you could do them both at the same time. I wouldn't want the bike to start on just one cylinder.

Ducatl · October 22, 2009, 06:08:13 PM

You can do them both at the same time, you'll see them spark in the firing order, hold the starter button down and they'll keep clicking away.

Howie · October 22, 2009, 07:22:31 PM

If the bike is running on one cylinder, the running cylinder will get quite hot, the one not running will stay relatively cool.

prudolph · October 22, 2009, 07:45:52 PM

Check the easy things first. maybe check your fuel level, There maybe crap in the bottom of the tank that could have been sucked in if you were low.

Bladecutter · October 23, 2009, 07:08:08 AM

Quote from: drenalinejunki92 on October 22, 2009, 07:45:52 PM
Check the easy things first. maybe check your fuel level, There maybe crap in the bottom of the tank that could have been sucked in if you were low.

You're just a step away from recommending that the fuel filter might need to be replaced.
If its partially clogged, it can give similar symptoms.

BC.

metallimonster · October 23, 2009, 10:54:48 AM

I had the same problem and it was bad gas. Try throwing a little bit of HEET in there and see if it clears up.

donzo · October 23, 2009, 12:51:40 PM

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions guys, I just ordered the service manual, spark plugs, fuel filter and I'll be tinkering all weekend. Can't wait for the fun to begin!

Q777 · October 23, 2009, 11:27:34 PM

Quote from: donzo on October 22, 2009, 04:26:06 PM
pulled both plugs and reinserted them, didn't know what to look for. started the bike and it still has a hard time pulling out of first. i'll rev it high and release the clutch and it wants to conk out. when i rode it home earlier, i would rev it up to 6000rpm in 2nd and would still only be going about 25mph

Road speed is not affected by how well the engine is running. Engine rpm / gear ratio / sprocket tooth count all = a specific speed.
(ie: doesn't matter if you have a coughing and wheezing "only running on one cylinder" 40 horsepower or a 200+hp superbike engine, the above factors will make the speed the same regardless)

If you are only doing 25mph in second at 6000rpm, your clutch is likely the culprit

Howie · October 24, 2009, 03:28:11 AM

Quote from: Q777 on October 23, 2009, 11:27:34 PM
Road speed is not affected by how well the engine is running. Engine rpm / gear ratio / sprocket tooth count all = a specific speed.
(ie: doesn't matter if you have a coughing and wheezing "only running on one cylinder" 40 horsepower or a 200+hp superbike engine, the above factors will make the speed the same regardless)

If you are only doing 25mph in second at 6000rpm, your clutch is likely the culprit

missed the 6K RPM in 2nd part. Slipping clutch or chain/sprockets are so bad you cannot transmit power. You didn't mess with the little screw in the clutch lever did you?

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My Monster is Groaning - UPDATE