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Tiger Time => Steamers (1993-1998 Tigers) => Topic started by: ssevy on July 27, 2014, 01:33:20 AM

Title: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 27, 2014, 01:33:20 AM
Okay, so mu buddies and I started on our two week trip to Kentucky. The Tiger ran beautifully for most of the morning, and then following a sharp left turn and an uphill climb, I noticed it felt rough. Gradually it went from three cylinders to two and quit. Cranking immediately wouldn't start it. Since the fuel I put in was non-ethanol and the tank still had plenty, I didn't suspect fuel, but I pulled the hose off the petcock and ran some through a paper towel into a container. No water, no debris. Next, I opened the petcock all the way, and had tons of flow. Checked fuel problems off the list.
It started back up and ran fine after about 5-10 minutes of sitting. Took off and rode it about a 1/4 mile, and it started again. First some rough stumbling, then worse, and finally stalling out. Again, after waiting about 5 minutes, it starts up and runs fine again.  I then  gave it tons of throttle on a long section, but once again, it did the same.
Fortunately, I was in Cherry Valley, where a good friend's brother has a garage, so I was able to lock it up safely tonight, with the intent to go fix it in the early morning and continue the two week trip. It is about 1 1/2 hours from my house.
Now, I am thinking pick up sensor, and the one in my Legend is the same part number on Bike Bandit, so I can borrow that one to install it in the morning. Or, I can just ride the Legend for the two weeks, but after putting all of the work into the Tiger, I really want to take it. Also, the Legend's back tire may not have 2000 miles left to give. I did order a new sensor to have on hand, but it won't be here for at least a week. Any free advice?
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: nickjtc on July 27, 2014, 02:33:51 AM
Is the fuel tank venting? Could be fuel starvation issues....???
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: rf9rider on July 27, 2014, 02:36:22 AM
As Nick says, have you tried riding with the fuel cap open?

Although it does sound like the pick up, gets hot, stops, cools down and restarts,
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: nickjtc on July 27, 2014, 02:50:01 AM
Don't we just love our bikes...........?? Remember Occam's Razor: the simplest solution is usually the correct one.  :qgaraduate
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 27, 2014, 03:30:39 AM
Vents fine. I pulled the sensor off the Legend and will leave here at 5:30 to get it replaced and catch up with my buddy for day 2 of the trip. Wish me luck!
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: rf9rider on July 27, 2014, 01:42:24 PM
Good luck, and hopefully a good trip!
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 27, 2014, 05:50:49 PM
No luck. Sitting by the road waiting for it tk start again.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: nickjtc on July 27, 2014, 06:15:33 PM
Faulty side stand switch?
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 27, 2014, 06:58:15 PM
I don't think so. It ran like a top for about 5 miles. Then as soon as it warmed up it started bucking and snorting and finally quit. If I'd let it set about 10 minutes it will restart and I can go about another quarter mile down the road before it started again and then I'd have to pull off again. By the way the grass of insurance policies don't include towing unless you have the right policy. Wouldn't you know my legend is covered fully for towing but my Tiger is not? Some days it just pays to stay in bed.I apologize for any typos in this message but the Sun is so bright I can't see my phone screen and I'm using the microphone to put the text in.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Mustang on July 27, 2014, 07:16:53 PM
Sevy
just got back from camp .......call me

plug the legends ecu/igniter into the tigger see if problem continues or goes away ..............
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: HeavyHustler on July 27, 2014, 07:33:08 PM
Looking forward to an update on the problem!  Good luck ssevy.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: motoOzarks on July 27, 2014, 11:01:53 PM
I got lost a few weeks ago and pulled my fancy new Samsung S4 out to use the maps.  Damn sunshine glared off the screen so bad I couldn't see the map or how to make a call or a damn thing.  Ended up putting it in my helmet and then holding the helmet up to my face and putting my hand through the visor slot to make a call.

Found out later the screen was on "auto brightness"  and changed it to full on and it's ok now.  I can fix anything.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 28, 2014, 01:54:23 AM
The same buddy who picked me up at 5:30 this morning and delivered me back to my bike an hour and a half away came to the rescue a second time with a trailer, and we trailered it back to my house where it now sits quietly in the garage waiting for triage.
Mustang called me while I sat next to the road, and we ran through all of the possibilities, and he confirmed what I feared, igniter. He suggested I swap the one in my Legend into the Tiger to confirm the diagnosis, but looking at Bike Bandit, I am not sure if it will connect. Will have to actually open the bikes up more to get a better look.
If it indeed is the igniter, has anyone here used the Ignitech replacement, and if so, do you have any part numbers or other helpful info?

Thanks, and I'll keep you all posted what I find.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Geoff W on July 28, 2014, 11:04:46 PM
I replaced my coil with a PVL one, it seems more chunky, but fits well, and has 2 leads rather than one. It is 50% more expensive but seems better, however only time and 30,000 miles will tell. Aprox' 8,000 done on it so far.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Mustang on July 28, 2014, 11:14:55 PM
the 2 lead coils are for 4 cylinder trophys and /or bonnevilles :icon_redface:
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 29, 2014, 12:10:50 AM
Okay, at a bit of a standstill.
1- I put the ignition pick up sensor from the Legend that I had installed in the Tiger back in the Legend and took it for a spin. It ran just fine, no issues at all. Crossed pick up sensor off the list.
2- I pulled the igniter box out of the Tiger and opened it up. No sign of anything inside; looked brand new. I put it back together and hooked it up to the Legend. Would not start. Checked the wiring diagram (which I should have done first), and noticed that the terminal order is completely different, and so swapping it into the Legend was no test of anything.
3- Re-connected to the Tiger, and she started right up with no issues.

Here is where I am confused:  I can understand where heat could affect a pick up sensor, as it is located in a pretty miserable area which gets some very hot oil splashed around.

The igniter, on the other hand, must get warm because of the transistors inside? In other words, there is some heat source which would be causing an igniter to fail? Looking at the wiring diagram, I cannot see any other component which would be heat sensitive and is connected to the igniter.

Can someone test an electrical board like this just by identifying the components inside and then testing, or would they need a schematic?

My last thought is to swap back in the original coils and plug wires just to see if something random is happening there. I was also thinking a float bowl with a sticking needle jet might be filling very slowly, which would let me run a distance down the road, run dry and drop a cylinder. Waiting by the road would let it seep back full, and then when I took off it would happen again. This would seem to be a heat related problem, but would be a time related problem. Why this would happen now, about 1000 miles after the carb rebuild, is a mystery.

I hate to buy a new igniter only to discover it is not an issue, although it might be nice to have on a trip into the boonies I suppose.
Since no response regarding Ignitech, I guess factory is the only option? Bike Bandit says about $350 for one.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Mustang on July 29, 2014, 02:23:06 PM
Bring it. We can throw parts at it . I have at least 1of everything that is on a tiger .
In the meantime replace the main 30 amp fuse. Even if it looks ok.
Seen this one before on a third sport............
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 30, 2014, 04:40:00 AM
Unconditional love?

Okay, I just stumbled through the door pretty well knackered, as I had to push the bike 1/2 mile back home after it quit once again. Quite disappointing to say the least.

After having some success with a remote fuel bottle, I thought I had narrowed it down to the tank and petcock. Removing the petcock revealed a ring of snot like material around the base of the petcock, which must have been gasket cement that squeezed out when the shop mounted the petcock. My thoughts were it took some time to break down, and thus would explain why it ran fine for a few days after the job was done.

So, cleaned up the stuff, pulled the screen off the petcock and thoroughly cleaned it, blew everything out with air, and then took the gas cap apart to be sure the vent was working. Got that working and then cleaned the overflow tube which was plugged, and put it back on the bike. Started right up, ran well for a bit, and then about a half mile down the road, began to stumble and quit. I immediately put the choke on full and was able to start it and turn around to begin to head back home. It went about 50 feet, and then stalled for good. I walked it all the way home, stopping every 10 minutes or so to listen to my pulse pounding in my eardrums and to try to start it. Cranks fine but no firing at all, even one or two. As soon as I got it in the garage, I immediately opened the bowl drain on carb #1 to see if it was dry. Fuel came out, so there was fuel in at least one bowl.

I guess the next step is to use an induction timing light on the plug wires to see if any coils are dropping out. It probably would not hurt to take the carbs out and see if any of the snotty stuff got inside. Since it ran pretty well with the remote fuel bottle, I can't imagine there is an issue there, but may as well cover all the basics.

Mustang and I spoke for quite a spell today, and the fact that it doesn't quit all at once would seem to indicate fuel starvation. That seemed to be supported by the bike running pretty well on the fuel bottle, although that may be an outlier. Interesting project applying logic to this problem, and I do enjoy diagnosing things, but this one is a real tough nut to crack for sure. I just keep chanting, "fuel, spark and air...fuel, spark and air" :icon_scratch:
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Mustang on July 30, 2014, 05:02:15 AM
pull the carbs , bet they are full of snot
also flush the  tank out good
and call me in afternoon tomorrow................................
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 30, 2014, 05:25:02 AM
Will do.

Our buddy Randy from Ohio is coming for the week. We were supposed to meet him in southeastern PA two nights ago, but as you all know, my Tiger felt like staying home instead. Since Randy hasn't been to the northeast, we suggested he come here and we'd show him the sights. I'm going to meet him tomorrow morning with my Legend, and so I may be off schedule for a bit getting to the Tiger. He'll need a day off, so we'll all be doing some Tiger time in the next few days.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Sin_Tiger on July 30, 2014, 08:09:39 AM
 :notworthy I admire your persistence, it'll all be worth it when you get it sorted.

This is the main reason I went with the small clear in line transparent filter and ditched the petcock and in hose originals, at least with that I can see what's going on or rule fuel starvation out of my paranoid musings.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on July 31, 2014, 04:41:27 AM
Success!

Cue the orchestra and the chorus..."Hallelujah...Hallelujah..."

A picture is worth a thousand words, so check out this one:

(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-Dnj74vb/0/X2/20140730_171028-X2.jpg)

and this one:

(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-3QtJPSL/0/X2/20140730_171117-X2.jpg)

and finally, this one:

(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-9KxQkbz/0/X2/20140730_171358-X2.jpg)

Ran great on my test ride, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there is no other material in or about the tank which might breakdown and plug anything else. I gave it a good flushing with fresh gasoline, and the petcock is clean as a whistle. Only time and miles will tell. Tomorrow we'll be putting on a few hundred, so I will know soon enough.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Mustang on July 31, 2014, 04:51:25 AM
 :notworthy
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ynotbiker on July 31, 2014, 01:21:45 PM
well done peace of mind at last enjoy. :wheel :wheel
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Sin_Tiger on July 31, 2014, 03:40:41 PM
Result, simplest things  :icon_wink: you are going to fit an inline external filter?
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: nickjtc on July 31, 2014, 05:27:44 PM
Occams Razor strikes again. Good for you...
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on August 01, 2014, 04:44:50 AM
Nice 150 mile ride today. No issues; ran like a top.
The three of us were riding my 95 Tiger, Dave's 2000 Legend, and Randy's 98 Sprint Executive. Three pretty rare bikes, all in great condition (except Dave has a sticky float needle so we tore his bike down tonight).
Here's my Tiger and Randy's Sprint:

(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-379Z2Jx/0/X2/20140731_193441-X2.jpg)

This Tiger rides a lot nicer than it pushes! :icon_eek:
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: nickjtc on August 01, 2014, 04:47:31 AM
Quote from: ssevy on August 01, 2014, 04:44:50 AM
This Tiger rides a lot nicer than it pushes! :icon_eek:

But if it needs a push now and again forgive it that....... it is the correct colour!!  :thumbsup Glad to see that mine is not the only one with a black lower engine protector frame.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on August 01, 2014, 12:22:39 PM
Powdercoated the skid plate and Mustang's oversize footpegs. My feet are much better on long days with no sore arches.
My Tiger is at the mercy of me, its owner, so I really can't blame it for going tits up once in a while.
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Sin_Tiger on August 01, 2014, 12:58:19 PM
Enjoy the fruits of your labour  :wheel
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on August 02, 2014, 12:47:50 AM
Another 270 miles today. Still running strong. I think I've got it licked this time!
(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-4Rz6NJw/0/X2/20140801_132009-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: ssevy on August 03, 2014, 04:04:07 AM
One of my rear turn signal indicators broke at the shaft, so I used 3 pieces of hack saw blade as splints, and wrapped it with silicone tape. Works fine, but I need to replace both, as the plastic/rubber of which they are made has apparently dried out and become brittle with time. I want to keep something pretty large like the originals, as I like people behind me to know that I am turning, and which direction it will be!

I was most fortunate while reconnecting the turn signal wire to notice that I have some mouse damage to several of the wires coming from the fuse box. Why they haven't shorted out yet is a mystery, but I was able to clean them with contact cleaner, and then slip heat shrink tubing over the bare spots and shrink it in place. Even though I have disconnected that connector before and greased the terminal block, I had never noticed the bare wires. This was a very lucky find, as it could have caused lots of problems, and would have been a real needle in a haystack to find.

Did another 200 miles today, and the bike again ran flawlessly.

(http://ssevy.smugmug.com/Fishing/i-Zqs98rW/0/X2/20140802_124735-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: Sin_Tiger on August 03, 2014, 01:53:58 PM
 :bug_eye
Title: Re: Does it ever end?
Post by: rf9rider on August 03, 2014, 10:46:45 PM
Good to see its finally sorted................................hopefully. 
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