a different idle problem (and it's not the one below)

[Dunk]

This has been a bit of an ongoing issue since I had a Remus, PC3 and K&N fitted. It has periods of running sweet, then it gets PMT, the idle drop and it starts spluttering. Had it back on the dyno and they didn't know what the issue was. BMW, god bless them, won't touch it as it's not a Beemer part.

The bikes been fine for a few months, (the idle even rose by 200rpm) and has been running sweet. I left it on Friday, running at 1200rpm, (which has been fine for months) and this morning it's dropped to 1000 and is spluttering. Same petrol. Not changed or touched anything.

It seems to have a life of its own.

Can a temperature change have this effect? Not that it's changed much.

I'm lost.

Anyone any ideas?

 

[cookie]

balanced the throttle bodies recently? might help.

 

[Dunk]

I had the throttle bodies balanced when it had its last service 2000 miles ago by the dyno place. The garage that did it was aware of the spluttering problem and didn't think that was the issue. Also it was MOTd by Sawbridgeworth BMW about 3 weeks ago and they thought it was running sweet (well it was then).

 

[Gas'd Off]

Bikes have moods too, especially GS's. Some call it character

 

[turbine_2]

My guess (if this is a twin spark) is that the spark plug caps coil(s) are starting to break down. Had a simalar problem myself and replacing them worked a treat (at £50 a pop)

 

[Dunk]

I think the mood thing is spot on...and mine gets bad PMS.

On the "twin-spark" thing...I don't think it is. It a '99 1150.

I've had several people mention that there are temperature sensors aound/in the Lamda sensor and that could be altering the idle.

 

[Steptoe]

I've had several people mention that there are temperature sensors aound/in the Lamda sensor and that could be altering the idle.

No - you can unplug the lamda and it'll still run .

It maybe some of the magic boxes you've added to the bike for that extra half horse power .

 

[Dunk]

Steptoe I think your spot on. I've only had problems since I put on the Remus end can, K+N and PC3, and all for a bit of bling, noise and 3bhp. I think I'll go back to my Y piece and standard can.

Steptoe: do you think it'd be ok to keep the K+N filter in if I put the standard can back on (after removing the 'magic box')? I really don't want to have to buy a new one and have to change it if I don't have to (it does have a tendency to run lean).

 

[Keith Chapman]

Steptoe: do you think it'd be ok to keep the K+N filter in if I put the standard can back on (after removing the 'magic box')? I really don't want to have to buy a new one and have to change it if I don't have to (it does have a tendency to run lean).

You spend 100s on end cans and bling, but you want buy an air filter every few thousand miles that takes seconds to replace

 

[Dunk]

Keith you misunderstand me. I haven't bought a new filter to put on, nor do I want to replace it regularly/ if at all. The K+N was fitted when the can and PC3 was put in. I understand that the K+N is more 'freer breathing' than the standard BMW one. My question was to whether there's a possibility that the bike could run lean with standard can, Y piece and K+N. (Standard can, Y piece and Beemer filter was fine).

I did spend 100s on bling though, and now regretting it...but hey you live and learn

 

[Colban]

Mine runs fine with K&N,Remus and "Y" piece.
Farts a bit with Std can but runs OK.
Check out Steptoes Cat Code Plug mod and try ditching the PC thing and see how it runs.
Might also be worth "calibrating" the TPS and changing the plugs (you do have an old,known working pair dont you?).
Good luck,Col.

 

[Dunk]

Colban, does yours run ok all the time? Mine has on and off weeks/months. When it's fine it runs sweet, then has an odd week/s, plays up for a bit and then seems to correct itself...for a while.

I think ditching the Power Commander is my next step along with taking the Remus endcan off...and then buying a SuperDuke (but we won't go into that...no abuse please)

 

[Colban]

Hi Dunk.Mines at 55K now and good as gold.
The only time i've had any rough running was when a BMW dealer put in an incorrect plug. Hughendens.
Dont know how tricky it is to remove the PC,but as i said,that is a prime candidate.
Cheers,Col.