Sports: RE: [DucatiST] Update on "Non-Starting" Issues (long)- Success?

Mouse proof, ain't no such thing as mouse proof! DAMHIK!

Dave G

-----Original Message-----
From: st2_owners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:st2_owners@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary L. Smith
Sent: October-02-11 7:44 PM
To: st2_owners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [DucatiST] Update on "Non-Starting" Issues (long)- Success?

Just park it inside a closed garage that is mouse proof so the little
bastards can't make their nest in your air box (don't ask how I know).:-)

Gary '01 ST4 Gaston, OR

On 10/2/2011 6:29 AM, vlanni66@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Speaking about winter its my first year of going into winter. What's
> the best way to winterize my ST2. Just had a 6K service done on
> 9/12/11. Any advice folks?
>
> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> *From: * Robert McNabb <rockingm_50remuda@yahoo.com>
> *Sender: * st2_owners@yahoogroups.com
> *Date: *Sun, 2 Oct 2011 06:27:19 -0700 (PDT)
> *To: *<st2_owners@yahoogroups.com>
> *ReplyTo: * st2_owners@yahoogroups.com
> *Subject: *Re: [DucatiST] Update on "Non-Starting" Issues (long)- Success?
>
> Phil, thanks for the updates. Mine has been running pretty good of
> late since I just wiggled the wires at those 3 connecters next to the
> fuel pump relay.:) I ain't touching nothing till it's in the shop for
> winter maintenance. :)
>
> Robert McNabb
> Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
> ST4 1999 RED
>
> --- On *Sun, 10/2/11, brpduck /<colordoc2@morrisbb.net>/* wrote:
>
>
> From: brpduck <colordoc2@morrisbb.net>
> Subject: [DucatiST] Update on "Non-Starting" Issues (long)- Success?
> To: st2_owners@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, October 2, 2011, 8:21 AM
>
> Actually this is more about running issues than simply not starting.
> At various times, I thought it was fuel and or ECU issues.
>
> I also noticed posts with references to intermittent loss of
> power. I hope what I found can help someone else. After all, our
> STs aren't getting any younger....
>
> I may have found the bug in my electrical system.
>
> I could never figure why the bike ran worse after the 6m tune-up.
> That's when it started the intermittent loss of power. It started
> on the ride home and I attributed it to a lean mixture. Figured
> the Shop adjusted it to be environmentally correct- lean.
> I messed with the mixture. It'd run better; much rejoicing. Then
> it would show its ass again.
>
> Couldn't trace it to fuel or electrical.
>
> I checked all the grounds and connections for good seals. I
> started to think about fuel pump/filter issues and it made some
> sense. I bought the gear to fix it.
>
> After 1 mixture adjustment, the R/R caught fire- Ah, there's your
> problem.
> After much time, I got a new one. I won't go into details. Lets FF
> to after I got That fixed.
> Meanwhile, I replaced the fuel pump, filter, and hoses. The hoses
> were disintegrating leaving black crap in the tank. It wasn't too
> bad, though. They weren't leaking.
>
> Bike started w/good charging, but still would run "cobby".
> I replaced the battery and remade all the connections. I put a
> big-ass ground from the battery to the frame. I added an extra
> ground from the R/R mounting plate to frame. I used dielectric
> grease on all connections. It charged great; topping out at 14.2v
> when 1st starting.
>
> I rode it 10 miles w/o loss of power. I rode it more and more.
> Even though it was running OK, it was still not as smooth as it
> used to be.
> I fixed the routing on the battery ground, and it started running
> rough. Now, how does a ground wire short to ground?! Put it back
> and it ran OK- for a while.
>
> I rode it yesterday morning, getting ready to ride it more;
> started missing again. It was like I rolled off the throttle. It
> didn't cough nor sputter; just lost power.
>
> I pulled the rear spark plug to check it- it was black & rich. Oh,
> BTW, the spark plug boot came off too easy.
> I crimped the connection in the boot and put it back on. It was
> still rich with black smoke on startup. I had tried to adjust the
> pot on the new/used ECU, bit it wouldn't turn. The more I thought
> about it, I knew the mixture had to be off because the ECU came
> from a different bike.
> I put just a little WD40 on the screw and massaged it. I got it to
> move to a leaner position. It ran better and I repeated it; still
> good, still not as smooth, though. Sometimes, it would smooth out
> and I had my old ST back.
>
> I thought about it some more and took the spark plug boot off-
> still too easy. I crimped it some more and got more of a positive
> fit. The boot uses the big connection with the spark plug adapter
> on the plug. I like the ones w/o the spark plug adapter needed.
> They snap on better.
>
> I rode it again and it ran much better. This morning, I pulled the
> plastic and checked everything. The front cylinder's boot was on
> tight. The rear was much better. The plugs are a nice tan.
> I also noticed that I had wire-tied the plug wires nice and neat;
> running parallel on the frame. I think that isn't good, as it can
> leach power from the wire.
> I also noticed the plug gap is .023- pretty weak. I emailed Dyna
> ignition to see if they had HO coils for a Ducati. Hell, my '84
> Guzzi plugs gapped at .025 before I put Dyna coils on. A modern
> ignition oughta gap at .030, at least.
>
> So, anyway, I'm going to see if I can get new wires at Autozone or
> something. They aren't weird nor integral to the coil or anything.
> I'll bet the wires are pretty weak. I've never replaced them. I'll
> route them so they don't contact the frame much.
>
> So anyway, here's the scenario; see if it makes electrical sense:
> • Bike ran crappy after 6m service.
> • I didn't see that they did anything to cause it; oil, plugs,
> adjusted valves and such.
> • Shop didn't replace fuel filter (red herring)
> • Shop replaced plugs and didn't notice plug cap connection weak.
> • I ran the bike for several hundred miles with it running rough;
> losing power for short periods, but not stopping.
> • R/R finally smoked.
> • Replaced R/R
> • Noticed the 40-amp fuse at the battery was dead- fixed with a
> fuse from NAPA, where the Ducati shop gets their fuses
> • Ran for about 5 miles before bike died; wouldn't restart
> • Thought it was fuel pump/filter and replaced all; already had
> the parts since I thought that was the original problem
> • Still wouldn't start
> • Found it wasn't getting spark.
> • Replaced ECU; bike started, but ran cobby
> • Redid all + and – connections using dielectric grease
> • Ran the best after I made a good fit on the rear spark plug.
>
> Diagnosis:
> The poor connection on the spark plug not only caused poor
> running, it allowed excess voltage to go to the R/R and ECU,
> eventually frying both.
>
> Phil
>
>

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