 Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25 |
I have the 2008 America, fully stock, no engine mods, just nice accessories. I've ridden in the rain before, never had a problem. This may not be a rain problem, could be a carb or fuel problem? The bike sat out in the rain for about 30 mins, I wiped it off, and took off. 2-3 miles up the road, it sounded like it was running out of gas, but still has 3/4 tank full. Engine died, and wouldn't start. 15 mins later, it started fully choked. 2-3 miles later, same thing. Took the seats off and dried out the air box area, as well as under the seat. Saw slight dampness in bottom of the air box. Dried off all the wiring, and all around the carbs. Started right up, 1/2 choked, 2-3 miles later, same thing. Just let it sit for 5 minutes, started right up. Not convinced it's a rain problem, but WTF do I know  Heard it sputter slightly a few days earlier, never paid it much attention. This ever happen to other Amer/Bonneville owners? Thanks, in advance
2008 America - AIR Kit, TOR pipes
Marietta, Ga
...and I'm fresh out of bubble gum
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
Did you happen to notice if your tach was also stuck up in the higher RPM range when it dies, but when it finally started it would drop down to normal idle rpm?
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
A lot of our bikes have died due to moisture seepage into the CDI. It seems that hairline cracks form in the resin that seals the unit. This usually happens while riding in the rain because moisture is forced up under the tank area. I would not however, rule out the possibility that your CDI was affected by moisture even while standing still in the rain.
Oh, and if the CDI is the problem, it can be dried out and sealed so you're good to go.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 426 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 426 Likes: 2 |
If it sounded like it was running out of petrol it's most likely a blocked breather tube. Next time it happens unscrew the petrol cap an try starting it, if it fires right back up you'll know it's the breather tube.
To cure the problem just cut the breather tube at forty five degrees.
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,170 Likes: 14 |
Quote:
If it sounded like it was running out of petrol it's most likely a blocked breather tube. Next time it happens unscrew the petrol cap an try starting it, if it fires right back up you'll know it's the breather tube.
To cure the problem just cut the breather tube at forty five degrees.
you should angle cut those tubes ends no matter what, cut both of the tubes hanging out the bottom of the bike. one is the tank vent the other the airbox. It only takes a drop of water to block them.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
My 04 SM died a few times coming home from Niagara NY in the driving rain but has been fine ever since. I haven't driven in the rain since though. I am sure mine was a wet CDI.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
It's British, it shouldn't be driven/ridden in the rain.   No, seriously, mine has acted up more than once in the rain. Could be this, could be that, I never did find out what it was. I've electro-greased everything I could think of, and STILL try to sit out heavy rain. Luckily for me, most times the rains in Florida stop after 15 minutes. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
No, seriously, mine has acted up more than once in the rain. Could be this, could be that, I never did find out what it was. I've electro-greased everything I could think of, and STILL try to sit out heavy rain.
I think you forgot to add..."and until the temperature rises above 70 degrees!"...didn't ya, erle???!!! 
(...and yep, I have a feelin' it's a wet CDI unit and not the breather hose that's causin' the problem here, too)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
you should angle cut those tubes ends no matter what, cut both of the tubes hanging out the bottom of the bike. one is the tank vent the other the airbox. It only takes a drop of water to block them.
Actually there are 4 tubes hanging down. Two for the air box that are really supposed to be plugged. These are the air box drain tubes. The other two are for the fuel tank vent and the float bowl vent. You do not want to cut the float bowl vent in such a way that it creates a vacuum in the float bowls as this will cause a starving condition (Ask me how I know after my trip to Edmonton last year). The tank vent on the other hand should be cut at an angle. Often water from the front tire will plug the vent and cause a vacuum in the fuel tank. Cracking the fuel cap will correct the condition.
Having said all this, it shouldn't take 2 to 3 minutes to cause the problem. You might have a water problem. Pull the CDI and reseal the plug.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25 |
I did some extensive work on it today. There were 3 vent hoses hanging down, 2 from the airbox, the other from the fuel tank. Used my air compressor to clean them out, then angle-cut them, as suggested by you good people  Next, I checked all electrical connections possible, they all contained the grease. I used contact cleaner on the fuse box, and the back side of all connectors, then blew them out with the air compressor. Took out the spark plugs, and blew out the head, and the plugs. Dried out everything humanly possible, and re-ran the cabling under the seat. Took it to the local Triumph dealer in Kennesaw, who soaked the bike with a high pressure hose to try and duplicate the problem. They took it for 2 test rides after soaking it yet again, nothing stalled, died, or anything else. We all basically scratched our heads  and agreed with the deep cleaning I performed, I likelyly fixed the problem. Who knows? I don't plan to ride in the rain, it just kind of happens  Thanks all!!
2008 America - AIR Kit, TOR pipes
Marietta, Ga
...and I'm fresh out of bubble gum
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Could still be a failing CDI, when Wendys started to fail it quit twice (maybe 3 times) in NY but then ran fine all the way back to PA. Even in the driving rain that caused me problems once I was back in PA, this is the trip back from Niagara. Mine has been fine ever since but her bike faultered a couple days later and then never came back until I installed the Procom CDI.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
I had that happen when my bike was still bone stock (2007)and it was not only pouring but also fairly cold. It turned out the carb heater wire had come off. I called the shop, they told me what to look for and never had another problem. Just another idea.
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Al, You might want to reconsider the angle cut you made on the airbox hoses. The 2 airbox hoses are really drain hoses that should be drained every year. Often the plugs fall out. HERE is a picture of the hoses #11 and the plugs #12. Without the plugs, dirty air can be drawn into the engine bypassing the filters.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 25 |
Quote:
(...and yep, I have a feelin' it's a wet CDI unit and not the breather hose that's causin' the problem here, too)
Is the CDI synonymous with the ignition coil? There's no reference to a CDI in the maintenance manual. How is it recommended to seal it?
Thanks
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Re: Engine died 4 times today - rained like hell too
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Quote:
(...and yep, I have a feelin' it's a wet CDI unit and not the breather hose that's causin' the problem here, too)
Is the CDI synonymous with the ignition coil? There's no reference to a CDI in the maintenance manual. How is it recommended to seal it?
Thanks
Nope, the CDI is the 'brain' of our bikes which (among other things) controls the coils. It's mounted on the spine of the frame just under the rear of the tank. To get at it you need to pull the tank. I sealed mine with some polyurethane chalking.
Live to love, love to live.
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