New engine vibrations bad gas? Or something else? On the road, need suggestions.

[cory1848]

Currently on a cross country trip and now I am in Memphis. Started in Orlando, FL and rode to Georgia and spent the night. No bike issues. Gas up this morning and after some miles the bike is getting real viby. Not the normal ST vibe, but like TB out of sync, bad gas, etc. To the point where I think something is lose or out of whack. Cant figure it out and have limited resources at the moment. Figured if it were bad gas, I have put another 3 tanks in so thinking that would have worked itself out but it hasn't. Been very very hot. Bike was running at 205 at 60mph with clean air. Seems to be more vibration when very hot.

I did a TB sync before I left with the harmonizer. But now idle seems little rough, skipping, surging. Power is still there but when riding at 70mph in 6th and rolling on any amount of throttle, feels like the engine is going to shake out of the bike. Sounds louder as well but that could be my screwed up hearing and all the wind noise.

Any thoughts for a quick check? Bike has been flashed with AC. Was running perfect previous to this.

Thanks
Cory

 

[True Grip]

Cory did you put fittings on to make it easier to do the sync. If so make sure they are not leaking. I doubt it's the fuel if you've run a few tanks through it.

 

[cory1848]

Cory did you put fittings on to make it easier to do the sync. If so make sure they are not leaking. I doubt it's the fuel if you've run a few tanks through it.

No, put back to stock after the sync.

 

[cory1848]

Oil in the airbox be a culprit? Looks like the nipple has oil in it. Changed oil before I left, not overfilled. Cant really pull tank to get to the nipple to drain it. Might be a dead end.

Seems to run good until the engine really warms up.

Edit: Going to rule this out. Only a small bit of oil in the nipple. So assuming nothing in airbag for oil.

 

[fredz43]

Oil in the airbox be a culprit? Looks like the nipple has oil in it. Changed oil before I left, not overfilled. Cant really pull tank to get to the nipple to drain it. Might be a dead end.

Seems to run good until the engine really warms up.

Edit: Going to rule this out. Only a small bit of oil in the nipple. So assuming nothing in airbag for oil.

Check the nipple that you put back on the right side TB. On my 2012 it cracked and my bike started running rough and the idle was surging. A replacement nipple cured that.

 

[cory1848]

Check the nipple that you put back on the right side TB. On my 2012 it cracked and my bike started running rough and the idle was surging. A replacement nipple cured that.

Would I be able to test that with WD-40 spraying on it with it running? Surge means leak, no surge no leak? Not sure I can lift the tank. It does actually seem like a vacuum leak but if there is an easy way to test without swapping, that would help. Happen to know the size replacement off hand?

 

[True Grip]

Take a flashlight and shine in there and see if it's on there or cracked. You should be able to feel it and see it without lifting the tank.

 

[cory1848]

Take a flashlight and shine in there and see if it's on there or cracked. You should be able to feel it and see it without lifting the tank.

I can see it, doesn't feel cracked or brittle or anything like that.

 

[tomatocity]

Would I be able to test that with WD-40 spraying on it with it running? Surge means leak, no surge no leak? Not sure I can lift the tank. It does actually seem like a vacuum leak but if there is an easy way to test without swapping, that would help. Happen to know the size replacement off hand?

Water will work.

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

If you spray carburetor spay near a vacuum leak while the engine is idling, the idle speed would likely change.

To be safe get a bottle of "Sea Foam" at a car part place to clean out the fuel tank of any water.

 

[Squibb]

Some of the guys have reported a similar issue on another bike forum I use. It must be really annoying - I have suffered water/condensation issues before, but this usually clears itself naturally with fresh fuel.

The jury is still out, but many are suspicious of ethanol in their fuel & it's corrosive impact on their whole fuel/injection system. We always avoid E10 gas when riding in Europe, but I've not come across it in the UK ..... yet. Supposedly my 2014 ZE/ES is OK for Gasohol E10 but, personally, I don't like the idea if it can be avoided.

I understand they use a far higher concentration of ethanol/alcohol in Brazil, so I wonder whether we can get some input from forum members in S.America.

Meantime, having looked at all the likely culprits, it would make sense to get your injectors checked out (are there any codes on the ECU?)

Good luck sorting this one ......................... KEN

 

[trainman]

you say its worse when hot and you recently changed oil

dumb question - is new oil grade ok for the heat you have? could be worth a change to something thicker if the heat is going to stay, at least it would prove or disprove one possibility

good luck, mark

 

[markjenn]

I'm not a huge ethanol fan either, but given that the vast majority of US bikes run on nothing but E10, many with 100K+ miles, and we've had no unusual issues of "corrosion" in the fuel system on recent fuel-injected, well-utilized bikes, the idea that this one incident is due to long-term ethanol effect is pretty far-fetched. Ethanol ls the bogeyman these days for almost any kind of fueling problem.

I'd bet you've got some kind of vacuum line or other intake leak. Unless it is running really poorly and you're worried about being stranded, I'd just live with it until you get home.

- Mark

 

[cory1848]

you say its worse when hot and you recently changed oil

dumb question - is new oil grade ok for the heat you have? could be worth a change to something thicker if the heat is going to stay, at least it would prove or disprove one possibility

good luck, mark

Castrol 10-40 rs racing full synthetic. Just ran half bottle of sea foam through it and just dumped in the other half. Seems to run a little better but will see when I stop for the night.

 

[tomatocity]

I am guessing he got some Crap gas. Someone mentioned Sea Foam and that is what I use at least twice a year to get rid of any moisture in the fuel tank plus it adds a boost.

 

[cory1848]

Still on the road. Full can of sea foam over two tanks and problem is still present. Could this be a battery problem? Just experienced a hard start but could be grasping at straws. Touring mode runs like dog crap too. Can't even use it.

 

[scott123007]

Sometimes when you're slabbing along by yourself, you start hearing and feeling things that don't feel ordinary. If the bike still has the same power and is not making any "extra" noises, I would keep riding it. Thinking outside of the box here, but this could be the clutch acting up. Against the wind, or on uphills at speeds in excess of 70 mph, my bike vibrated like a bitch until I put the '14 basket in. Maybe for a little peace of mind, and to rule one more thing out, the next time it vibrates, put a little tension on the clutch lever and see if that helps.
Also, your bike is still under warranty, so if it gets worse, have a dealer at least test ride it so you can get a second opinion. Just be prepared to pay, if it is something you screwed up, or maybe overlooked, if you are servicing it yourself.

 

[cory1848]

Sometimes when you're slabbing along by yourself, you start hearing and feeling things that don't feel ordinary. If the bike still has the same power and is not making any "extra" noises, I would keep riding it. Thinking outside of the box here, but this could be the clutch acting up. Against the wind, or on uphills at speeds in excess of 70 mph, my bike vibrated like a bitch until I put the '14 basket in. Maybe for a little peace of mind, and to rule one more thing out, the next time it vibrates, put a little tension on the clutch lever and see if that helps.
Also, your bike is still under warranty, so if it gets worse, have a dealer at least test ride it so you can get a second opinion. Just be prepared to pay, if it is something you screwed up, or maybe overlooked, if you are servicing it yourself.

You might be onto something. It is worse going up hill and against the wind. Just experienced both of those scenarios. Strange that it just started this trip. Done multiple 300 mile highway rides previous to this trip and the motor has always been very smooth. Smooth to the point that I can't feel it running. Tried a little tension and can't really tell if it helps or not. Still under warranty. Have the 5 year plan. Only servicing I have done is tires and oil changes and the Tb sync. Never needed anything else. Dealer did the 600 service. Will go to dealer once I get back. I wonder if changing to synth oil had any affect.

 

[cory1848]

I'm not a huge ethanol fan either, but given that the vast majority of US bikes run on nothing but E10, many with 100K+ miles, and we've had no unusual issues of "corrosion" in the fuel system on recent fuel-injected, well-utilized bikes, the idea that this one incident is due to long-term ethanol effect is pretty far-fetched. Ethanol ls the bogeyman these days for almost any kind of fueling problem.

I'd bet you've got some kind of vacuum line or other intake leak. Unless it is running really poorly and you're worried about being stranded, I'd just live with it until you get home.

- Mark

I stopped at one gas station that had Ethanol free E087. Only being 87 though didn't want to introduce something else into the problem.

The more I think of this, I am thinking vacuum leak as well but stumped where it could be. TB caps are secured and not cracked (from what I can tell). Hoses are not brittle either. I have only experienced a vacuum leak on a car so not really sure off all the symptoms. It did stall on me today at an intersection. Blipping the throttle I can sometimes get it to stumble but this time is just quit. Maybe not related. Cruising at 85mph with wind at my back was very smooth, rpms about 4500. Bad vibes from 3800-4300. 6th gear 70mph puts me around 3900-4000 and its very annoying. This all started with my second gas stop. Gas could be coincidence. May not be gas at all.

No check engine lights or anything like that. Would a vacuum leak throw a light? Edit: sprayed wd40 and no changes when idle or at 4500 rpm. I can hear it kind of sickly sounded once it heats up. Have to ask shop to look at it.

 

[2daMax]

Could be bad ignition parts, plugs or coil or just water accumulation inside the coil. Perhaps inspect the coil and plugs? Check the air intake box too, maybe 2 fat squirrels snug up in the inlet tubes and got stuck. J/K, wouldn't hurt to check.