Looking for some help and advice and also to share this issue so that it might help others in the future. Last month I got the bike out of the garage, fired it up and it coughed, spluttered and then seemed to run out of fuel (i didn't realise it was that low!). I refilled the tank and fired it up and it wouldn't run properly, however I was about to set off on a trip to Germany so thought it would be fine after a few miles thinking that I'd dragged some crap through the system when it ran out of fuel. Long story short, after about 40 miles it hadn't improved so I stopped and bought some redex and more fuel and gave it another few miles, then all of a sudden it coughed, spluttered and fired properly. After a few more miles it was fine, so off to Germany I went! I rode around for the weekend and then home again and it was fine. Then this weekend I got the bike out and went for a blast and the same problem has returned, at low revs it's firing on one cylinder and will try to spit me off when it does fire properly! After around 4-5k revs and when going at decent speed it's fine but as soon as I get to a junction or roundabout it starts playing up again. I've parked it up and was about to book it into the garage but have decided to tackle it myself. I've just ordered a new fuel filter and O ring so will get the tank off at the weekend and have a go at some fuel system DIY. Does anyone have any similar experience or advice they can offer me when tackling the job?
I'm 99% sure it's fuel related as the bike cleared itself last time after adding a large dose of redex and then ran fine for 1500 miles. I think while it's been standing the last few weeks, whatever crap is in the system has made its way back to blocking the system. I've got no errors on the dash and when the bike opens up above 5k revs it seems fine. I don't know when the fuel filter was changed (if ever) so though it's probably the easiest DIY job for me to try first. Failing that, it will have to go the Ducati Clinic in Ruthin.
The bolts holding the fuel pump base are made of chocolate!! I had to cut slots in mine to remove. Worth buying some replacements before doing the job.
Will do. I think I'll change the fuel filter, check the plugs and failing that I reckon it will be a blocked injector.
Well! Fuel filter changed and tank emptied and cleared. Fired it up and still the same. Booked it into Moto R for next weekend as my time and effort aren't getting me anywhere. I haven't checked the plugs as I can only get to the top one so will leave it to Rich at the clinic to sort it. The bikes being sold as soon as it's fixed anyway so I want it to be right. I still think it's an injector problem.
Just an update. I took the bike into Moto R this morning to get it fixed. I'll update on here when I know what the cause is.
Hi all, update on the bike is that it is fixed. I'll be picking it up tonight from Moto R. The cause of the problem was the front cylinder rocker cover was leaking oil down into the plug 'tube' and causing the misfire. Rocker cover leak fixed and a new set of plugs and she's sorted.
