Intermittent Splutter

[SinkyB]

I have noticed that my GSA has developed an intermittent splutter about mid range revs. It sometimes happens during acceleration in the lower gears and even when sitting at a steady 60 mph.
I have recently carried out a service (300 miles ago) which involved new NGK spark plugs, air filter and oil and filter etc.
Anyone got any suggestions?

I must admit that although these bikes are fantastic to ride, I am seriously starting to have doubts about the whole reliability thing with them. I have had Hondas and Yamahas which never missed a beat over quite a few years and high mileages, but the GSA has had a few little niggling problems so far, this splutter, leaking oil seals etc and I can only foresee more niggling problems in the future.

I hate to say it, but I think I will be changing back to Honda or Yamaha when its time to change bikes again.

 

[Beemerman59]

What year is your GSA? They are well known for having a blip at the emissions test point in the rev scale - was around 4.5K revs if I recall on mine. Just a fact of life with getting a big twin in tune with Brussels and other emissions legislation. You can just live with it or tune it out - to various degrees and cost. I have had mine remapped (do a search) which removes any problems anywhere in the rev range. There are cheaper less elegant solutions as well.

When you serviced it did you balance the throttle bodies, set valve clearances etc?

 

[SinkyB]

Its a 2009 model. I just did a oil, filters and plugs service. Didn't balance the throttle bodies or set valve clearances etc.

I was hoping that it was maybe a faulty spark plug that is the problem (simplest solutions first).

 

[Popell]

Suspect that the problem area will be the plugs or the coils, are they all soundly back in place?, you didn't tug any wires did you? Are all the plugs the same(correct) colour?
Go back and check all things that were moved during the recent work

 

[Damaxta]

I want to say fuel pressure regulator or controller..... Probably because I just replaced mine....!

If it's just started after service.... Something isn't fitted right, got broke during, or is faulty.

Take the plugs out one by one, touch a metal part of the bike with the body and check it sparks throughout the range while it runs - (be careful!).

It says more like a mixture problem though to me, which says a leak (air filter fitted correctly ?), as a busted sensor would throw an error (admittedly not all the time)

I'd maybe start by changing the plugs over with the old ones if you have them. If not, just check their function as above. If the old ones have the same problem, it's a leak or miscalc by the ecu as a result of a sensor fault.

Hope you get it sorted.


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[Damaxta]

Oh, and don't forget the secondary plugs!


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[ianm00]

I had similar symptoms on my 2006 R1200GS. It was found to be a problem with one of the lambda sensors screwed into the exhaust.
Took it to BMW dealer who connected to their computer and got an error code for the sensor. They replaced it and all been fine since.

Ian

 

[Damaxta]

Did you get this fixed?

Was it a coil out of interest ?


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[Bendy toy]

Lambda costs about £150 from BMW. Coils are about 1/2 that.
I got stung for a sensor but real problem was a coil. So take care what you change first. Ideally borrow a pair of coils before swapping Lambdas.

An intermittently sparking coil will throw unburnt fuel down exhaust. This leaves some unused oxygen so the ECU richens mixture this further aggravates the problem and soots up the sensor.

PS you can get O2 sensors for less money but still not cheap. A forum search will find supplier details


Sent from a widget that can't spell.

 

[dern]

Based on my experiences this week before you do anything else make sure your valve clearances are good and your throttle cable is adjusted correctly and the throttle bodies are balanced. It'll take you an hour and you can make a manometer to do the throttle bodies for less than a tenner. Then you'll know the bike is as it should be and you can trace the problem from there if you still have it.

 

[dern]

I must admit that although these bikes are fantastic to ride, I am seriously starting to have doubts about the whole reliability thing with them. I have had Hondas and Yamahas which never missed a beat over quite a few years and high mileages, but the GSA has had a few little niggling problems so far, this splutter, leaking oil seals etc and I can only foresee more niggling problems in the future.

I hate to say it, but I think I will be changing back to Honda or Yamaha when its time to change bikes again.

Have a lot of sympathy with this. Had hondas and yamahas in the past which while having the odd issue they would be years apart. Just fixed by rough running and now the horn sounds itself in traffic. Patience getting somewhat tested.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[Damaxta]

But you can check a coil is working at least..... Lambda check is a bit harder.


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