6 days into Euro trip and all been great so far. Bike was laid up all day yesterday due to heavy rain and when starting this morning it struggled to get going. Exhaust smoke only coming from left side of pipe. Bike ran fine for about 15 miles until I stopped for petrol(no I didn't put diesel in) (still approx 4 litres in tank from last fill). Bike struggled to start (3 or 4 attempts) and immediately started running roughly and engine management came on. Bike feels as if it's running on one cylinder and stutters under acceleration. I have limited tools with me and most bike shops here are shut today. Any suggestions to a possible quick fix would be appreciated. Bike is a 04 749s. Thanks Phil
Removed front coil cleaned it and cleaned recess with a rag, not much moisture to be seen. Skooshed some French equivalent of wd40 up the channel(Ooer missus) dried it off and left over night. Came out this morning and wouldn't start. Battery showing 10.8 after a couple of tries and now isn't even trying to turn over. Won't jump either. Presently waiting for recovery!
10.8 volts is not enough to operate the electric start, ignition and fuel injection at the same time. Bike wouldn't start with that, even if everything else was perfect.
Bike at Lyon Ducati dealership . They cannot diagnose the problem. Presently trying to arrange flights home
Surely either the alternator is not putting out enough volts or the battery is dead. Both are easy enough to check. Probably too late if you are already booking flights home. Dont the garage have the abaility to check an alternator output ? Whether they have an alternator though is another issue. Good luck
If they tried a jump pack it would have started straight away if the old battery was knackered or the alti not charging.. It should have spun over fast and as normal,, then when it started I would go straight to the exhaust and seen by touch which pot was missing/cold,, then removed the plug and tested for sparks and replaced with a new plug if sparking ok... Makes you wonder about these dealers? or is it coz your English!
Bet thier starter pack was low as well, need a very heathy battery to turn these buggers over, bloody shame thou, not what you want away from home
oh mon due....sorry to hear this mate,,,,,,,,,, cant add much that has not been said, only that yes , if it was the battery then a jump should start it,, check batt reading when jump on,, should be 12.3/4, if not then the jump is questionable....when / ( if ) running should be 13.4/7 that shows that the alt is good,, but the smoke signifies poor running,, either not firing prop or something more serious,, might be worth changing the infamous fuel pump / injector relay,, small cheap part but hidden in behind the battery box, bit diff to get at but not impossible,, but cant see why it would only affect one piston, i imagine that it is either either on or off,,,,,,,,, feeling for you mate,, nightmare..
The TPS can be prone to problems after very heavy rain . Essentially the connectors rust easily if they get wet. If so the connectors need a good clean,and the TPS re set. But your voltage points to something else as well.
Back home late last night. Was due home Friday anyway and the best of the trip had been done, just 2 days of motorway riding to get to the ferry was ahead of me so not too gutted. Not impressed with the Ducati dealership at Lyon, they got it going with a battery pack first go and it was still running rough. They then changed the front plug but didn't really seem to have an idea what it could be. They stated they didn't have 'time' to diagnose further and then proceeded to shut for their 2 hour lunch break. Frustrating to say the least and my lack of French coupled with their limited English didn't help. Mechanic working on bike looked about 24-25 and saw him at one point checking a French bike forum, presumably for tips. Cleanest workshop I have ever seen and looks like a replace part type of shop rather than repair. Bike was serviced before I left and was running great up until the first day of rain so I definitely think that water ingress somewhere is the problem. Relay was replaced and moved at same time as service so would be surprised if that is the issue. Only thing I am certain of is the treatment I received at the dealership was not because I am English .
Ahhh you have to love them to bits, and their lunch breaks, :Banghead: are part of the French culture! I flew Microlights for 20 years inc trips to France 2 or 3 times every year. I found them to be always very friendly and helpful. Please update when the problem has been solved... Oh and glad your back safe and sound........
I live here and love the two hour lunch breaks. I also fly microlights and love the lack of regulation in France. Had you been on this side of the south of France I would have helped as much as I can, but alas you were over the other side.
Phil sorry to hear about your issues with the bike. You mentioned it was going fine until you filled up with petrol. I'm wondering if you filled up with a bad batch of fuel, possibly the heavy rain had contaminated the petrol station's storage tank?
John, There was a fair bit of petrol left in the tank before fill up and don't think the new fuel would have got anywhere near the system as it struggled to start from the pump to the cash desk. Have had issues with French fuel before and try to fill up with 98 when I'm there. Also stopped and put 98 from another station after about 50 miles and it made no difference. I'm sure it's moisture related and hopefully wont take much to sort (if and) when I get it back and someone with a bit of time and knowledge gets a look at it. On the subject of the French, they are a lovely people in the main, and I struggle to understand why they seem to get such a hard time for being stroppy or rude. I have always found the exact opposite and admire their lifestyle(just not when it comes to fixing my bike)
Glad you managed to get back home safely. Keep us informed once the problem gets resolved / diagnosed :Bag:
