bike misbehaving in norway

[sjh]

Half way along route 55 today my bike started running like crap, i was near the highest point so i thought 'maybe it's the altitude' - the ECU has been replaced recently, so i figured maybe teething problems? but after decending to about 300m still the same. My next thought was bad fuel, i'd recently filled up - so i ran it down to 1/3rd of a tank and filled up with super 98 - same result.

it will barely idle, requires more throttle input that normal to keep running - and if i give try to accelerate even slightly hardly in 5th/6th especially the engine bogs. It revs absolutely fine in neutral (beyond being left to idle) and if i pull the clutch while moving it revs just fine too.

I think that rules out air filter / fuel pump. Since the ECU swap it's done about 2500km, this morning even it was fine,


If i keep the revs high-ish it pulls fine, and in lower gears it mostly runs fine with the occasional lump/jerky moment. I'm going to see if it'll get me the 300km to Bergen where i can see there's a yamaha dealer - until then i'm at a loss and struggling to think what could cause the different behaviour when accelerating / pulling the clutch, thoughts?

 

[BaldKnob]

Is your bike a 1st Gen? Was the wiring harness recall taken care of? Hope the dealer can get you squared and on your way again.

 

[sjh]

Second gen, had it's 48k service just before I left for this trip...

There's a couple of closer places that are listed on the Yamaha dealer page when filtered down to motorcycles, look to be boat dealers but I'll stop and see if they have the kit to diagnose

 

[hobdayd]

The symptoms sound very much like what I had on a car due to the Mass Air Flow sensor playing up...

 

[EricV]

Struggles to rev under load sounds a lot like simple things. Clogged fuel filter, (sock inside the tank and a small cartridge inside the fuel pump, neither are normally replaceable. You would likely need to remove the fuel pump from the tank to verify that the sock is clean or dirty.

The other common thing would be spark plug grounding. Corrosion at the metal collars around the extensions? Water in the plug wells?

Still requires a bit of a dig into things to get to, but easy enough to check.

After that, throttle position sensor is possible, and people have had issues with them, but it's not common.

Did you check the intake path? anything stuck on the outside like a bird sucked into the intake?

I don't think the Super Ten has a MAF. At least not like the old flapper door style. Probably uses a hot wire type. Less prone to issues.

Air, Fuel, Spark. It's one of those three. Check the simple and free stuff first before you start looking at the expensive stuff. check for error codes in the diagnostic system too. That may lead you in the right direction.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'd go for the spark plugs first for two reasons. One, the symptoms are spot-on. Second, you mentioned it just coming out of service and it's just too easy to drop or crack a plug on installation. The plugs are also one of the easiest things to check first.

 

[sjh]

It's the coils, 3 of 4 are toast - other than talking with my dealer when I'm back there's nothing too do now but swallow the cost and wait a couple of days for new ones to arrive. At least the sun has come out, and i got to test ride a nikken

 

[dcstrom]

It's the coils, 3 of 4 are toast - other than talking with my dealer when I'm back there's nothing too do now but swallow the cost and wait a couple of days for new ones to arrive. At least the sun has come out, and i got to test ride a nikken

There are aftermarket possibilities a whole lot cheaper - Mitsubishi IIRC - but I guess you've already ordered and/or can't afford the time to search for alternatives...

 

[Checkswrecks]

Fennellg - Appreciate the kind word, but sjh finding the coils to be a problem makes sense too. They are easy to twist and damage when trying to get a sticky one up out of the hole.

 

[sjh]

Thanks for the replies all, I ruled out gas early on also!

I think 3 were shorting, one badly, questions raised over installation torque too...

The mounting clip on one looked to have recently broken clean off, I suspect that is what caused the sudden change in behaviour, I was riding in a spirited fashion on a rough road.

I could have saved cash with 3rd party for sure, but the tank was off already in a shop that could get oem ones in 48hrs, I'd rather spend the money and save the holiday!

Should be going again tomorrow!