 Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
I know this one has been put out here before but this one has a twist in the tale.
Every now and again my bike starts up and runs on the left cylinder only. It can do it like 10-15 times consecutively and then stop for a while and the start again.
The twist is that after it warms up, anything between 2 and 15 minutes, the right cylinder kicks in.
If I stop for a short while and the engine hasn't yet cooled down completely, it starts up just fine with both cylinders running.
Any ideas?
I forgot to add that we cleaned out all connectors and CDI unit along with carbs etc.
Also, when I change spark plugs all work fine for a few days.
Last edited by Bedouin; 06/08/2017 3:49 PM.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Have you tried a cold compression test?
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: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
I know this one has been put out here before but this one has a twist in the tale.
Every now and again my bike starts up and runs on the left cylinder only. It can do it like 10-15 times consecutively and then stop for a while and the start again.
The twist is that after it warms up, anything between 2 and 15 minutes, the right cylinder kicks in.
If I stop for a short while and the engine hasn't yet cooled down completely, it starts up just fine with both cylinders running.
Any ideas?
I forgot to add that we cleaned out all connectors and CDI unit along with carbs etc.
Also, when I change spark plugs all work fine for a few days.
My 09 Speedmaster did exactly that for awhile, then self cured. You can't find what's wrong when it's not doing it anymore. 
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
Have you tried a cold compression test?
I'll get my guy to check that out, thanks.
Ian, what I forgot to mention earlier is that when I do have this problem, the right cylinder is flooded. You can smell it a mile away.
One could argue that it eventually burns off the excess fuel and then kicks in.
Does this make any sense to you?
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
Quote:
I know this one has been put out here before but this one has a twist in the tale.
Every now and again my bike starts up and runs on the left cylinder only. It can do it like 10-15 times consecutively and then stop for a while and the start again.
The twist is that after it warms up, anything between 2 and 15 minutes, the right cylinder kicks in.
If I stop for a short while and the engine hasn't yet cooled down completely, it starts up just fine with both cylinders running.
Any ideas?
I forgot to add that we cleaned out all connectors and CDI unit along with carbs etc.
Also, when I change spark plugs all work fine for a few days.
My 09 Speedmaster did exactly that for awhile, then self cured. You can't find what's wrong when it's not doing it anymore.
In a way, Ryk, I am glad it isn't self-curing because I am prepping the bike for a very loooong run and I would be suspicious of the problem emerging again in neighborhoods Triumph doesn't have a presence. Not that I scare easily but it is just irritating.
I normally just hang on until the second cylinder kicks in.
But that's not the way to run an effing ballroom. 
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Sounds like it isn't compression, that last bit actually says a lot. Sounds to me like you have a float issue. Weather it's sticking, needle or seat bad allowing fuel past, bad float,incorrecdt float level, or some dirt on the needle or seat. If you are getting that much fuel on top of the piston while at rest you should be sure to change your oil again. You will probably find it is contaminated with fuel. It'[s a good habbit to get into turning your fuel off when you park the bike.
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: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Thank you ... we'll do another check. Seems to have stopped since I posted about it last night. We put the fear of ...
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
My '09 is EFI, I suspect, at least in my case, it wasn't about needles and floats.
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 152 |
My 04 Speedmaster does that when it is very cold. After it warms up it goes away.
I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1 |
My '04 America does that when has set for awhile, I think its jealous of the Tbird. 
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
Thank you ... we'll do another check.
Seems to have stopped since I posted about it last night.
We put the fear of ...
Like I said in my post a week ago, it has stopped completely now.
You guys did something.
Whatever it was, thanks.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Sounds like a "gunky" stuck float valve, which I've mentioned before. I thought I needed a new CDI, but it was a leaky valve. Dog is correct about turning the supply petcock off, if it is a stuck open float valve you can end up with a crank case full of gasoline. Ask me how I know. 
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I think I'd be considering an oil change if the cylinder was flooding enough that you could smell it.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
I think I'd be considering an oil change if the cylinder was flooding enough that you could smell it.
Yep ... will do by end of week.  all.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
I believe I advised to change the oil way back when I also mentioned the gas petcock being turned off.
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: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Yes you certainly did, Ian, along with a whole lot of other valuable advice I need to check out.
I have had it mind since then, just couldn't do it last week cause I get oil from a friend/distributor of Quantum (Holland) who delivers to my home.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385 |
What would it possibly mean if bike seems fine for maybe 15 miles to half an hour then i have to really rev the rpms just to get it to roll. Of course its ticking a little louder too. I did have my p\u cable replaced and my wiring in the headlight was chewed on some years ago but I covered them. There is just a little bare wire showing now which I am gonna cover up. Could it just be a filter or carb prob? I still have to pull plugs yet. Thanks
06 in Mulberry. AI, Dunstalls, Nology coils, TTP
Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.
-Oliver Cromwell
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
Oh don't get me started on "it went away!" Find the problem and fix it, if you don't, it WILL leave you! Mine was doing exactly the same until it burnt the right cylinder exhaust valve beyond use, all because of a float that somehow got WAY out of adjustment. Checking the float level is extremely easy. There's a port on the bottom of the float bowls you can slip a clear hose over, then hold the hose against the bowl vertically and loosen the metric Allen head screw just enough to let fuel into the hose. This will tell you EXACTLY where that fuel level is. Takes no time.
These engines are extremely resilient and forgiving maintenance wise, but problems, if not rendered, WILL RETURN!
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 20 |
Hi everyone, I had this problem for over a year. one cylinder will go out after few miles but no much time to check problem. replaced spark plugs, and air filter, removed and inspected petcock, emptied fuel tank, checked venting hose but problem kept coming back. I was ready to order CDI and Coils then I read about possible vacuum leaks which I already checked but my curiosity got the best of me and went to check again and yes I pay attention for a possible leak and I hear a hissing sound.
search for source and found a very small diameter vacuum hose disconnected from a tee between 2 carburetors. reconnected hose and after 200 miles bike is running fine
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385 |
What year is your bike, George? I gotta guy gonna look at the electrical as soon as i find a diagram. Are all the carbs still basically the same setup?
06 in Mulberry. AI, Dunstalls, Nology coils, TTP
Keep your faith in God, but keep your powder dry.
-Oliver Cromwell
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
There are complete color coded schematics in the Factory Shop Manual. The prices for these have dropped considerably on EBay as of late.
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Re: Running on one cylinder.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 20
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 20 |
IS A 2006 AMERICA, 790 CC AND FROM WHAT A BEEN READING HERE IN THE FORUM WE STILL HAVE SAME SET UP IF NO MODOFICATION
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