2002 M620ie acceleration inconsistancy

[retik8]

So just recently I have been having some issues with popping (backfires?) and inconsistent throttle response. It was just occasional but today it was much worse. I havent been able to pinpoint the best angle of attack because of the plethora of advise on this topic so there is a good chance that this is a "bring it in to the shop" problem. So I was told that sometimes a weakly charged battery could cause issues. I plugged it in to the battery tender for a few hours to make sure it was not that. I didnt think it was that though because the bike starts up strong and idles great. I bought a bottle of redline fuel additive today and dumped the whole thing in with a fresh tank of gas which brings me to two questions. Should I have used the whole bottle (the shop told me to but he didnt seem very informed...never even heard of seafoam...which i thought was common). Also I have been using the highest octane gas (91). Should I need be using premium? I have also read that carb cleaners dont work right away but the bike is popping more and lags more so I'm freaking out. It also sounds a little rougher when I'm idling.

Thanks!

[Raux]

check for any vacuum leaks also

[ducpainter]

You don't need premium in that bike.

Run 87 octane.

I'd put a fresh set of plugs in it, and stop putting additives in the fuel.

What concentration did the manufacturer suggest?

[Howie]

If your bike is stock it should run just fine on 87.  Run 87 if it doesn't ping.  

You should be following the directions on the container for your fuel additive.  Err on the side of too little.  When is the last time your bike was serviced?  Have you looked at the spark plugs?

[okboatie1]

Used a bottle (not sure what kind) of additive and it was waaaay to rich for the bike to run.  Too bad i didn't figure that out till i was riding an the bike cut out mid rev.

[retik8]

I'm gonna change the spark plugs, filters and syphon out the high octane and additive. If that doesn't remedy anything. I might try a throttle body sync myself. I don't know where to find the tool though.

[retik8]

Apparently it is too difficult to syn the throttle body myself. Ill start with the spark plugs for now. Can I just get NGK 5477s as listed from NAPA? Do they come with appropriate gapping for my 02 m620?

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NGK5477_0068320716

[Howie]

You need NGK# 4339.  If no one in your area has them,   http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=spark+plugs+ducati+monster

[DarkMonster620]

So just recently I have been having some issues with popping (backfires?) and inconsistent throttle response. It was just occasional but today it was much worse. I havent been able to pinpoint the best angle of attack because of the plethora of advise on this topic so there is a good chance that this is a "bring it in to the shop" problem. So I was told that sometimes a weakly charged battery could cause issues. I plugged it in to the battery tender for a few hours to make sure it was not that. I didnt think it was that though because the bike starts up strong and idles great. I bought a bottle of redline fuel additive today and dumped the whole thing in with a fresh tank of gas which brings me to two questions. Should I have used the whole bottle (the shop told me to but he didnt seem very informed...never even heard of seafoam...which i thought was common). Also I have been using the highest octane gas (91). Should I need be using premium? I have also read that carb cleaners dont work right away but the bike is popping more and lags more so I'm freaking out. It also sounds a little rougher when I'm idling.

Thanks!

Hey, I got a M620, albeit 2005 vintage, I had those same problems, thing is I only have either 91 Oct or 95 Oct . ..  so usually I run 95, due to other factors surrounding me and bike.

I have the open top airbox and hi mount Termis, had that same issue, what I did: set trim at 23, but, you are stock from what I can read, so, since I also had the issue in stock mode, set trim to 21[in Ducati's Mathesis, DSS or Technoresearch's Centurion/VDSTS] the settings are the same, check, for the TPS settings; these should read something like 2.7° or 2.8° closed . . .if less, it might explain some of the hesitation and 'popines'.

Your gas is much much better quality than ours here, so anything under 91 should work fine, if no NGK DCPR8E are to be found, then Champion RC4H[OEM] will do or any crossreference to this models; I know guys you most swear by NGK, but I have used the Champions more than anything and somehow like em better . . .

[retik8]

So according to mechanic (not ducati tech but trustworthy guy) he thinks the bike is running lean. Apparently my filter box cover has been chopped off or removed according to him. He isnt sure this is the direct issue but he recommended getting the cover back on to fix the easy stuff first and narrow down the possibilities. Anyone have one of these they will sell me? Ducati stock part number: 246.2.011.1B  Air Filter Box Cover/Lid

[Raux]

So according to mechanic (not ducati tech but trustworthy guy) he thinks the bike is running lean. Apparently my filter box cover has been chopped off or removed according to him. He isnt sure this is the direct issue but he recommended getting the cover back on to fix the easy stuff first and narrow down the possibilities. Anyone have one of these they will sell me? Ducati stock part number: 246.2.011.1B  Air Filter Box Cover/Lid

and if your fueling has been corrected for the extra air you'll run ultra rich when you choke the intake.

have him check the AFR before telling you to buy stuff

[Ddan]

So according to mechanic (not ducati tech but trustworthy guy) he thinks the bike is running lean. Apparently my filter box cover has been chopped off or removed according to him. He isnt sure this is the direct issue but he recommended getting the cover back on to fix the easy stuff first and narrow down the possibilities. Anyone have one of these they will sell me? Ducati stock part number: 246.2.011.1B  Air Filter Box Cover/Lid

Just opening the airbox won't make it run lean, and if it is lean just putting the airbox back to stock probably won't help.  You may want to find a tech that's more familiar with Ducati

[DarkMonster620]

So according to mechanic (not ducati tech but trustworthy guy) he thinks the bike is running lean. Apparently my filter box cover has been chopped off or removed according to him. He isnt sure this is the direct issue but he recommended getting the cover back on to fix the easy stuff first and narrow down the possibilities. Anyone have one of these they will sell me? Ducati stock part number: 246.2.011.1B  Air Filter Box Cover/Lid

Take it to someone who has a Technoresearch Centurion S for IAW59M [same tool as VDSTS] or a Ducati shop to have set trim to where it should be, also, have them check your AFR and TPS settings . . . these are my $0.02

[retik8]

Alright I guess I'll try to make the trek to a good tech. I am still a new rider and dont go on the freeway much so to take a bike that is running poorly on a long ride scares me a little.

[Howie]

Take it to someone who has a Technoresearch Centurion S for IAW59M [same tool as VDSTS] or a Ducati shop to have set trim to where it should be, also, have them check your AFR and TPS settings . . . these are my $0.02