| Author | Message | ||
     Ourdee |
Since I fouled a plug on a cold day, I've been contemplating the cause. History: Always owned carburated bikes. Every time the XT would start and sputter and die, I would just hit the starter button again. The other day the Xt started sputtered and died. Instead of repeating history I tried something different instead of just hitting the starter again. This time I turned the key to the off position, turned it back on, waited for the instrument lights to get right, pushed the starter and it fired right up and worked better than ever. Could turning the key off in between start attempts be the trick? I haven't had a day without ice since to try it again.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I'm sure everyone has their own starting procedure. I turn it on, cycle the kill switch, wait for the fuel pump to cycle, wait for the Check Engine Light to go out, push the button (don't touch the throttle EVER). I've never had a fouled plug. I wonder if the key cycle allows the fuel pump to finish it's cycle. | ||
| Ourdee |
You forgot the scratchy head That is what I do with the exception of the kill switch. I never developed a habit of using it. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
We've seen a few folks buying some fancy after market Iridium (or some such marketed type) plugs for their Buells. If you are one of those, please believe me when I say they are a detriment to operation. Buell and H-D ECMs and EFI are tuned and use ignition feedback based on the operating characteristics, (such as back EMF) of the stock plugs and wires. Altering from those has proven to cause mis-fire, rough idle, single cylinder operation, degraded performance. ~jammer | ||
| Thunderbox |
There may be something to the "turn key on and wait for the engine light to go off". I always do this procedure and have never had a fouled plug on my 06. And it always starts right up. | ||
| Ejc |
+3 on the F-B method. Also without incident. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I always believed that the fuel pump shut off when it reached proper pressure. If you didn't wait until it finished cycling, I always felt that you were pumping lower than needed pressure into the system. I don't know if that is true or not, but it's a nice superstitious procedure to follow.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
With my X1 and my Xb12x, I always wait for the light to go out. I do this simply because I was told by the sales guy at the dealership 8 years ago. I had always wondered what would happen if I hit the starter too soon. If the pressure isn't up, I guess it would drizzle a stream of gas instead of a fine mist. That might be something. | ||
| Froggy |
I always wait for the light to go out, I was told to do that by the dealer years ago and never questioned it. I think I only started it a few times without waiting, and it started fine. | ||
| Ourdee |
Yep, I always wait for the pump to stop making noise and the light to go out. My dealer also told me that if you don't wait, it starts or tries to start with the same settings it had when shut off. Something to think about if you get caught with your ATTGATT down. So, my question would be; during the start , sputter, & stall does the ECM change drastically enough to not let one of the cylinders fire if you don't turn the ignition off to reset the ECM prior to pushing the starter button again? | ||
| Tootal |
I'm wondering if the fuel pump is on a timer and not a pressure sensor. If you haven't ridden in a while, or your pumps a little weak then maybe cycling it again is getting the pressure up where it should be. I don't know this, just speculating.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I'm pretty sure it's a pressure switch because if you forget to tighten a clamp on say an X1... well it doesn't stop. It will happily pump out the tank. | ||
| Thunderbox |
The whole thing works on time and pressure. Pressure is the constant and the time the injector stays open is the variable. The injector opens for a specific period of time to deliver a calculated amount of fuel for the proper Throttle position, engine RPM, Eng Temp, Air temp and perhaps Atmospheric pressure and who knows for sure about any other sensors may be employed in the Buell Engine management system. If the fuel pressure is low the whole system is out of kilter and not enough fuel will be introduced into the cylinder. Because the fuel pressure is regulated at a certain amount, if you try to start it before the pump gets the pressure up to the regulated amount it will create a lean condition and the A/F mixture will not ignite but may still wet a plug causing fouling. Back to the wait for the lights to go off before hitting the start button. Proof is in the pudding. Many using this method have had no fouling of plugs. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I've been using the 'wait for the light to go out' method for over 3 & 1/2 years now and have yet to foul a plug. On the rare occasion that it does die after starting (when it's 20-30 degrees out) I do the 'key off - key on, wait for the light to go out' restart. |
