Rain . . . Dying . . . Dead

CMDRDAVE · June 25, 2010, 02:50:19 PM

My M900ie died in the middle of a ride last weekend when it started to rain. It was raining heavy and steady for about 15 minutes when all of a sudden there was no power. I was still running but no power and would not rev above 2500 rpm. When I pulled over it would start for a few seconds, but still not rev above 2500, then die. I have looked it over closely tonight. Nothing obvious that I can see. Still starts the same way as above. When I shoot some starter fluid in the air box it will start run and rev normally for about 10 seconds then die. Don't think it is a spark issue. I am afraid that it is in the fuel delivery . . . Fuel injection . . . ECU . . .

What do you think? Any ideas?

TJR178 · June 26, 2010, 01:57:58 AM

Do you have have an open air box or exposed wires? Our kind of ducs don't like water.

My speedo would get all out of whack when riding in heavy rain, but I never had these issues.

CMDRDAVE · June 26, 2010, 02:27:48 AM

No open air box. No abnormal open wire, just standard stuff, which could have easily become wet.

ducpainter · June 26, 2010, 02:29:40 AM

Quote from: XJDAVE on June 26, 2010, 02:27:48 AM
No open air box. No abnormal open wire, just standard stuff, which could have easily become wet.

Have you checked to see if you're getting fuel?

Water in the fuel?

CMDRDAVE · June 26, 2010, 04:48:21 AM

Trying to figure out how to find out if I am getting fuel with out spraying gas everywhere. Fuel pump whirrrs, so I assume the pump is not the problem.

I'll get some dry gas and try that. I can't figure why all of a sudden water would get in the fuel when I have ridden in worse rain for a longer time many times before.

ducpainter · June 26, 2010, 04:53:54 AM

You could pull an injector and set it in a container, hooked up of course, and crank the starter.

CMDRDAVE · July 01, 2010, 02:51:38 PM

Ok I have had a little time to try some things. Starts/runs with starter fluid for ~10 seconds. Added some dry gas. Now it will run rough for up to ~30 seconds blipping the throttle. Still seems to indicate a fuel issue. I think my next course of action is to remove and drain the tank, starting over with known good gas. I have looked the tank and intake all over, don't know why this time I would have had water in the gas compared to every other rainy day. I don't have a lot of time to play with it, but the next appointment at the local (1 hr) Duc shop is almost 3 weeks away.

ChrisH · July 01, 2010, 02:58:51 PM

Not familiar with the air box setup, but are you sure the air filter didn't get wet? A wet air filter can cause loss of power, or bogging. Just throwing that out there. Good luck!

Grrrly · July 01, 2010, 04:54:04 PM

Try replacing the fuel filter while you're messing with the tank too. Be careful of the smaller 6mm lines that connect to the gas cap top when you pull it off cause the rip easy. There's no need to disconnect them.

CMDRDAVE · July 04, 2010, 04:10:27 PM

Quote from: ChrisH on July 01, 2010, 02:58:51 PM
Not familiar with the air box setup, but are you sure the air filter didn't get wet? A wet air filter can cause loss of power, or bogging. Just throwing that out there. Good luck!

Yea positive it didn't get wet. I have the stock airbox, and that was one of the first things I looked at.

Quote from: IndustrialGrrrl on July 01, 2010, 04:54:04 PM
Try replacing the fuel filter while you're messing with the tank too. Be careful of the smaller 6mm lines that connect to the gas cap top when you pull it off cause the rip easy. There's no need to disconnect them.

I thought of the fuel filter, but it seems like too much of a coincidence that it died while riding in the rain. If it hadn't been raining, the fuel filter would have been one of my first suspects. There is only about 6k miles on this filter but I am going to stop at NAPA to pick up a new one tomorrow. Might as well do it while the tank is drained.

CMDRDAVE · July 11, 2010, 04:09:23 AM

Just to close the loop and possible help anyone else. It had nothing to do with the rain, it was just a coincidence. I opened the tank to replace the fuel filter and inspect the fuel pump. I found that the output hose from the fuel pump was barely connected. Therefore low fuel pressure actually getting to the injectors, resulting in above conditions. Reconnected it, ensured that the hose clamp was in tight and now everything runs perfect

Thanks for the ideas everyone.

ducpainter · July 11, 2010, 04:44:24 AM

Quote from: XJDAVE on July 11, 2010, 04:09:23 AM
Just to close the loop and possible help anyone else. It had nothing to do with the rain, it was just a coincidence. I opened the tank to replace the fuel filter and inspect the fuel pump. I found that the output hose from the fuel pump was barely connected. Therefore low fuel pressure actually getting to the injectors, resulting in above conditions. Reconnected it, ensured that the hose clamp was in tight and now everything runs perfect Thanks for the ideas everyone.

You did change the filter while you were in there...right?

CMDRDAVE · July 11, 2010, 06:19:26 AM

nope, cause I didn't have one handy. I also didn't get the gas cap on straight, so it needs to come off again anyway.

I'll save that stuff for a rainy day.

Mike Qube · July 11, 2010, 10:41:32 AM

I rode through some insane rain yesterday and surprisingly I made it through, I thought the bike would die. Right before I pulled off the highway, I was riding through 10 inches of water.

ducpainter · July 11, 2010, 03:47:30 PM

Quote from: XJDAVE on July 11, 2010, 06:19:26 AM
nope, cause I didn't have one handy. I also didn't get the gas cap on straight, so it needs to come off again anyway. I'll save that stuff for a rainy day.

Kids....

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Rain . . . Dying . . . Dead