| Author | Message | ||
     Desertdweller |
I have got an 07 XB12X that does not like the heat of Las Vegas. I have searched this site for a long time (Months) for a bike with the same symptoms but I only found one post and there was no resolution. When I first bought my bike new almost two years ago, I was on the hwy when I hit a traffic Jam and it was 118 degrees that day. After about 10 minutes sitting there it just died, and would restart but only run for about 5-10 seconds before dying again. I could start it, Rev it to 3-5k and slip the clutch to get it rolling and it would die again. No engine light. I got it off the hwy and cooled off with a leaf blower and it ran good the rest of the summer. I did take it in and they found nothing. Now this last summer it is acting up again. Mostly it is after I stop it and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, it will not start or if it does it dies right away. It is happening at 80-90 degrees outside. I have never had it go into skip spark mode and I run 91 octane. It has been to the shop numerous times for this issue, but it is never happening at the time I take it in. One time they replaced the Exhaust servo, another they replaced a "chaffed" rear plug wire. But the problem is getting worse now. I have rotated the engine and lined the frame with thermo-tec and installed the comfort kit.I have also looked at it with ECMSPY and everything looks good.(I think) The only thing I did was a few hot TPS resets. It acts like vapor locking just like an old Buick. But I, as well as the servicing dealer, are stumped! I runs great...Until it gets hot and sits and then if I put a fan on it for a while it will start and run great! By the way the engine fan works as normal. I need help. I am not the type to yell and I have had alot of patience with my dealer and they have been great but I am very close to loosing it! | ||
| Desertdweller |
Oh and this last weekend I rode from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe and back in the 40s-60s and had no problems until I got back home into Vegas where the temps hit 85. I went out into the garage 20 minutes after I got home and it was hard starting and runnin like shat! So after I put a fan on it and got it started, off to the shop it went and has been there since. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
I would think, if it is vapor lock, you could open the tank cap, and hear it suck air in. Does the bike try to start, or is the starter dead? Could it be a coil breaking down? MOST of the time, when a coil breaks down, the engine will crank fine, but there is no spark. I would carry a spark plug, and when it dies, stick the plug in the front spark plug boot, and crank the engine, with the plug laying against the cylinder, (or any ground). If it has spark, It has to be fuel problems. Just a good place to start. Good Luck! | ||
| Frito |
Vapor lock in the old days was caused by the boiling off of fuel in the carb and/or fuel pump. Since the Buell has no carb and the fuel pump isn't mounted to the engine block, vapor lock is unlikely, although you could well have a fuel issue. | ||
| Etennuly |
I would pull the fuel pump and have a look at the wires in there. It is possible that when they are cool they are not touching where they run through a bracket, when they get hot they may ground out. Also, closely check the O2 sensor wire and the Engine temp sensor wire. I have had them move around when they get hot causing them to touch the head, melting the insulation to make it short out. | ||
| Desertdweller |
The motor cranks fine and I have taken the fuel cap off and there was no pressure or vacum. There seems to be spark because it usually starts and then dies like it is out of gas. Everything I have looked at about the fuel pump wires says that the pump would either run all the time or will not run at all if one or both wires are chaffed. It only happens when it sits and "Heat Sinks" for 15-20 minutes after a hot ride. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I wonder if it's not possible your fuel pump inlet screen is at least partially clogged? With cool fuel, the pump doesn't have any problem drawing fuel through it, but when things get hot, the pump cavitates (i.e.- vapor locks) trying to draw the fuel through the screen. It does seem that pump operation is affected by heat. The 2010 literature mentions the XB's having a new fuel pump like the 1125's which allows them to operate at higher temperatures. | ||
| Desert_bueller |
Hi I live in Bahrain and had a similar problem in the desert heat. The agents here replaced the fuel pump with a stronger unit and the problem was solved. The explanation i was given is that the fuel evaporates due to increased heat. It was done under warranty after some Buell guys came over to the Saudi dealership to deal with similar cases. | ||
| Desertdweller |
I went to the shop today where they are holding my bike and told them about the stronger fuel pump. I am not sure if this will help or not. I am going to call CS if I don't get any answers by this weekend. I probably should have called a while ago. | ||
| Desertdweller |
Wow, I am at a loss. My bike has been at the dealer for 6 weeks now. The last part, new ECM did not fix it. I called C.S. and that seemed like a waste of time. I am lost! It seems like I am the only one with the problem of the bike not starting or running like shat after it has been warmed up and turned off and sits for 15 minutes. It is to the point that if I start it and let it idle til the fan kicks on and then shut it off and try to restart 10-15 minutes later it will not run! They are going to call Buell tech tomorrow and we will see what they have to say this time. Very frustrating! |
