Bike randomly died while riding

[ANedelka]

While out enjoying this lovely northeast weather today my bike (07 s2r 800) died. The motor just cut out and that was it. Bike was pretty cold at the time, maybe 130 degrees. When i tried to restart it you would just hear it crank for 15-20 seconds and then stop trying. It never even sputtered.

For mods to this bike it has the tmp beast intake and i'm running just the udders for an exhaust. Some wires have been moved for aesthetics but nothing major.

Any advice or opinions as to what could be at fault would be appreciated. Could it be a coil pack or a clug in the fuel pump?

Thanks in advance!

[scaramanga]

can you hear the pump whirr for a couple of seconds when you turn the ignition on?

[ANedelka]

Yes it whirs every time

[Gimpy]

Smarter more experienced people will answer, but in the mean time I'll chime in with what I would do.

The first thing I would try is to spray a little bit of starter fluid into the airbox and see if it would start. Even if it is significantly easier to start that might indicate a fueling problem.

If that has no effect I would pull he spark plugs and look them over.  If they are really black and greasy or white and chalky it could indicate ....  well and issue with your air/fuel ratio.

With the plugs out I would test for spark.  lay the plug close to a bit of grounded bare chassis or body metal, have someone crank the engine and watch to see if it sparks.  I have shocked myself several times trying to start the bike while holding the spark plug in place.  It hurts a little so its best to have a friend help out with this.

In the unlikely event that you are not suspicious of something already. I would check the airbox, filter, and anything else that you may have touched recently.


Good luck!

[ducpainter]

You mention the Northeast...

as mentioned check your airbox...for mouse nests.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

If you stored your bike with ethanol fuel in the tank and no fuel stabilizer it could be a water issue.

If you use ether/starting fluid...be careful.

[ANedelka]

Running cones instead of an air box so it's mouse free. Just tried to start it after leaving it for the night and it started instantly. What could cause it to do that? Would it still be the same issues?

[Speeddog]

Do you specifically remember hearing the fuel pump 'priming' when you were trying to start it right after it quit?

There are two small relays mounted on the left side of the battery tray, if the one that supplies the fuel pump & ECU goes bad, you get the 'crank but no start'.

[ANedelka]

I'm about 90% sure I heard it whir when I tried to start it after it died. When it started today I rode it a few minutes to park it somewhere safer and it died on the way. When I tried to restart it it started but grew sluggish in its idle almost instantly. I had to leave it revving a bit higher to keep it going. Does that seem more like a fueling issue?

[ducpainter]

Check the tank vent tube. If that's OK...Change your fuel filter.

If the filter hasn't been changed in the past 5K change it anyway.

[Howie]

While you are in there changing the filter carefully check the hoses.  If they are bad they must be replaced with hose rated 30R10 (submersible and ethanol resistant).

[ANedelka]

Which tube is the vent tube and what should I be looking for in it? Is it one of the main two hoses that are running from the bottom of the tank? I know the fuel filter hasn't been changed in the past 5k at least. Is it located inside the tank on the s2r?

[ducpainter]

Which tube is the vent tube and what should I be looking for in it? Is it one of the main two hoses that are running from the bottom of the tank? I know the fuel filter hasn't been changed in the past 5k at least. Is it located inside the tank on the s2r?

The vent tube is one of the smaller diameter hoses that runs from the bottom of the tank down behind the motor. They can kink and the tank cant vent stopping fuel flow.

The filter is inside the tank. It is accessed by removing the flange on the bottom of the tank. Buy a new flange o-ring also just to be safe.

While you are in there changing the filter carefully check the hoses.  If they are bad they must be replaced with hose rated 30R10 (submersible and ethanol resistant).

No hose like on the older FI bikes on a tank with the bottom flange.

[ANedelka]

So the flange you're speaking of is that bottom assembly where the main hoses are coming out of? Where's a good location to purchase the fuel filter?

Also, it doesn't seem like there IS a vent hose on here (I bought it used) if the location I think it is. There's a nipple on the bottom left side with no hose coming off of it.

[ducpainter]

So the flange you're speaking of is that bottom assembly where the main hoses are coming out of? Where's a good location to purchase the fuel filter?

Also, it doesn't seem like there IS a vent hose on here (I bought it used) if the location I think it is. There's a nipple on the bottom left side with no hose coming off of it.

Yes, it's attached with 6 or eight nuts. The filter on the S2R has a ground strap. I'm not certain it's absolutely necessary, but all the techs I know only use the Ducati OEM filter for liability reasons. I don't know if any of our sponsors sell the OEM filter and o-ring.

There should be two nipples. One is a vent, and one is a drain from the cap area.

While no real harm will come from the hoses not being there I'd probably run them. If you have no charcoal canister, you can remove the little rubber fitting from under the cap and that will solve any hose kinking/venting issues.

[Howie]

Doh! Flange, plastic tank   If it is difficult to get to the dealer you can order the filter from our sponsor, Commonwealth  http://www.commoto.com