| Author | Message | ||
     Rubberdown |
While changing my tranny oil last night I noticed a stink emanating from the tranny while the cover was off. It wasn't overpowering but I did smell something awful that was not oil. I am suspecting a potential stator failure. I am also leaving for March Badness (approx. 6hrs away from home) on Friday a.m.. My dealer is 1.5 hours away. How rapidly will failure progress if a stator is going bad. So far I've had no starting problems. | ||
| Glitch |
It wasn't overpowering If it wasn't overpowering, and you had the cover off, you're probably OK. If the bike's not having any trouble starting, you're probably OK. If you're headed to the Badness, you're more than OK! | ||
| Glitch |
Oh yeah, transmission oil that's used up smells like •••• anyway. | ||
| Fdl3 |
What Glitch said. Having just replaced my stator (which, for the record, occurred around the 20K mark), some other symptoms I might add: 1. Obviously, "hard starting" from the standpoint of a weakened battery (from not getting charged up sufficiently by the stator); 2. Dimming headlights, instrument cluster lights, no blinkers, etc. 3. If the electrical output gets low enough, the check engine light may come on (mine did); 4. The bike will start to run rough (not enough voltage to FI?)(I had to apply throttle just to keep it going - if it stops, you will need a jump). | ||
| M1combat |
Transmission oil that's NEW smells like •••... | ||
| Tatsu |
Fdl3 did you replace the stator on your own, if so how difficult was it? | ||
| Fdl3 |
Tatsu: I did not replace it on my own. I let my local dealer perform the work. | ||
| Henrik |
Manual in hand and the right tools for the job, it's really not hard to get everything out of the primary. Just make sure you check and double check for L-hand and R-hand thread on the clutch/stator assemblies ... don't ask ... but with one of those flattened Stanley crow bars and some wiggling (of bike parts that is  ) I managed to get everything out ok. And it was only the threads on the nut that stripped. Live & Learn Henrik | ||
| Tatsu |
Thanks | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Mobil1 synthetic that has burnt can be smelled from the primary with it SEALED! Once you crack that puppy open, it will clear the building of any unwanted and wanted critters ya got. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Mobil1 synthetic that has burnt can be smelled from the primary with it SEALED! Once you crack that puppy open, it will clear the building of any unwanted and wanted critters ya got. And probably cause you to pass out so that your wife or girlfriend can find you sleep on the floor next to your bike. Now if there wasn't and awkward moment I can't think of one. | ||
| U4euh |
Was no problem, but I will let you post it Mike!!  Mike- got the tires off with out problem. Thanks for use of your lift! | ||
| Rubberdown |
O.k., I'd forgotten how bad gear oil smelled as I had used Syn3 20/50 in all holes in the past. So, after calling my dealer and consulting with the Buell tech. (thank you Ray Price HD), I pulled the connectors and spent an hour with my tester checking the stator function. I was unsure of the results but the tech said it was o.k., After buttoning everything up and uttering small prayers to ward off the gremlins, I refilled the tranny. I thought, maybe I should smell the inside of the gear oil bottle. I did, and much to my amazement, it smelled like there was a burned stator in the bottle. O.k., move over George Castanza, for I am officially the lord of the idiots. Long story short, all maintenance complete, education furthered, and I can't wait to hit the road tomorrow for the Badness on my new Diablos which feel so so sweet. | ||
| 12bolt |
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| Glitch |
I can't wait to hit the road tomorrow for the Badness on my new Diablos which feel so so sweet. Me either! Glad it all worked out to be an education, rather than mechanic's schooling. And don't worry about being lord of idiots, an idiot would have asked nothing at all. | ||
| Buelltroll |
Lol doncha hate that. I once rode 300 miles one way for a suspected tps reset only to be told I had the best tuned Buell hes ever had in his shop.  | ||
| 2k4xb12 |
Rather than starting a new thread -- I'll post my issue on this one. I'm starting to suspect my stator or starter is going out. Last week, after having not ridden the bike (XB12) for about a month (due to downpouring rain and washed out roads), I took it for a ride. Started and ran fine. Next morning, left for work -- started fine; stopped for gas -- started fine; ran an errand -- took three tries to start. Typical dead battery symptoms -- dash and lights were fine, but when I pressed the starter -- not enough juice to crank it over. On the third time it started. Got lunch on the way to work and it took two tries to start. After sitting at work all day, it started fine. Bought a new battery (original was barely over a year old), installed it and took it for a ride. No problems. Next day -- going to work, same symptoms. Got home and pulled the fusebox cover and found the isolating diode was halfway out. pushed it back in and went for a ride. No problems. Today, left the house and took two tries to start. Stopped for gas -- same thing. So, for the most part, what I've found is that if it's cold it's fine, but after running for a while, it has problems. Made an appointment to bring it in tomorrow, but wondering if this sounds familiar to anybody. Stator? Starter? Start switch? I've swapped the start and ignition relays, so that's not the issue. Neutral switch is out of the question because I always start it in neutral and even have the problem with the clutch pulled. Sorry for the long post -- just wanted to be as detailed as possible. Ironically, I was planning an oil (engine and tranny) change tonight, but if it's possibly the stator, I'll hold off for now and simply bring the Mobil 1 juice to the dealer to refill with if needed. Steve. | ||
| Glitch |
It does sound like you're not charging. May be the regulator though, much easier fix. Mine did pretty much the same as your's is doing, except mine didn't do well when it was cold. I have no idea how long it had been going out. I know after a long ride I would smell that foul smell, that was for a week or so. Then one day while riding home I got an engine light. Error code was for battery failure. You're doing the best thing by taking it in. Let us know what they find out. Oh by the way, mine was right at 20thousand miles, how many miles do you have on your bike? | ||
| 2k4xb12 |
I'm right at 7,500 miles. No abnormal smells though... If they do need to get to the stator, it's only the tranny oil that needs to be dumped, right? I'm still okay going ahead with the oil change, right? | ||
| Glitch |
I'm still okay going ahead with the oil change, right? Right. |
