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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Troubleshooting (Poor Starting/Running/Handling/Ride Issues) » Archive through December 21, 2009 » Acting Like Vapor Lock?? « Previous Next »

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Desertdweller
Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 05:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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! I posted this over in Big Bad and Dirty and thought I would put it here where it belongs too.
Last weekend I took a 1100 mile trip to Lake Tahoe and back. The temps were in the 40s-60s until I got back into Vegas and it was 85 and after I pulled it into the garage and shut it down,I tried to start it 15 minutes after I let it sit, It would not run.
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Aptbldr
Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 06:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

1125's (water cooled) are on sale.
Increase fuel in air-fuel mixture, that will cool the engine.
Check/replace the cylinder head temperature sensor.
If I lived in where you do, brother; I'd ride a water-cooled motorcycle with a high-performance fan at its radiator.
1125's are on sale.
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Husky
Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009 - 07:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

DD,

I'm real new with buells, have a trouble free 08 XT.

According to my diagnostic manual there is no warning light for fuel system problems.

But, based on your symptoms I blame it on the fuel system and would pin it on the pump not able to take the heat soak associated with a hot day and 15+ minutes of sitting after turn off.

The other thing would be in the ECM, not able to take the heat, since the malfunction happened in traffic without being turned off and sitting for some time.

I put my money on the pump!

If it were my old 48 ford I would say it was vapor lock. I think you are using California gas there, which is up to 10% ethanol, but you have insulated the frame so I doubt thats it. Besides I have heat soaked my XT several times like you have without any problems and its not insulated.

Some one posted similar problems that were solved by replacing the fuel rail.

A few others have had ECM failures, no codes, but ratty running or starting or not running until cool down.

I sure others will post here.

Husky
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Desertdweller
Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 09:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I like the 1125 because of the water cooling but I take my Uly and get her dirty alot so 1125 is out.
I hinted to the service department today that it may be the fuel pump but who knows what they will do. I went down there to inquire about trading up for the red 09 X they had but it was sold. I just want my bike to run.(in the heat)
A call to customer service is in my future I think.
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Desertdweller
Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 06:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Got a call from my dealer today saying that they data logged my bike when it was having the "Vapor Lock" issues and sent the file to Buell and the dealer now has a Throttle body and Coil on order. and some other sensor that I can't remember.I am crossing my fingers!
I have been to every bike shop in town looking at replacements for my Uly but if I can get it back without my "vapor locking" problem that it has had since new I would be happy.....very very very happy.
I have not found a bike that speaks to me like the Uly does.
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Sparky
Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow. So is data logging a new technique that dealers use for troubleshooting these EFI bikes? Where have I been? -- don't answer that...

I dare say, that is probably the best use of technology that kinda takes the dealer/technician/mechanic's personal bias out of the equation and plugs the cold hard facts (data) right into the manufacturer's knowledge banks. Good Show!
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Desertdweller
Posted on Saturday, October 31, 2009 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The dealer said that Buell looked at the datalogged file and told them to replace throttle body, coil and timing sensor? So that is waht they did.
Well, I got my bike back from the dealer and noticed that it was running worse than ever and the RPM would come down real slow when I let off the throttle so I took it home and hooked it up to ECM spy and the TPS was 8.6%. So I did a hot TPS reset and it started running great. I did not have time to take it for a good run until today. Today I rode it for 50 miles and it ran great the entire way, Until I pulled it into the garage and let it idle until the engine temp was 210 according to ECM spy and then I shut it off and let it sit for 15 minutes and it would not restart!
The service guy said that a new ECM is next?
He is off until Tue. I guess that is my only option.
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