Back story -
I tried to start my bike one day and it abruptly stopped during the ignition process. I figured it was the heat. Let it sit for a minute - nothing. I tried to roll start it, worked fine. When I got to work, I had the same issue only a roll start wouldn't work but after letting it sit for 3 min or so while I made a phone call, started just fine with the key. Got to a friends house after work and chilled for many hours. Went outside when it had cooled down, bike started the first try. The next morning I tried to start it and nothing, no lights no nothing. I push the ignition button and the lights come on and I hear clicks, but no fuel pump prime. A few days later I pull the battery and my multimeter says 12v so I figure maybe the CCA are low. Walmart said it was fine and it starts my f4i fine. I swapped the fuel pump relay from my f4i to no avail but the relay started the f4i just fine.

I notice the bike is in a puddle of gas. I check the oil cap and there's gas in the oil. I flushed the motor with over a gallon of cheap oil and then left another 4 qts of fresh cheap oil in it, til I fix the problem.

I replaced the battery terminals and a blown fuse (just for blinkers and horn) and now the bike turns over just fine, but won't actually start. I've put dielectric grease just about everywhere and taken a wire brush to most contacts.

Symptoms:
ECU reports malfunctioning IAT (air temp sensor)
Engine turns over during ignition but never actually starts (no spark, no fuel, both, neither? I have no idea I can't get the airbox all the way out)
Engine had been flooded but that appears to have stopped
Battery has 250+ CCA and 12V
Overflow tank was REALLY low but no overheating or leaks.


2001 RC51 SP1 with PowerCommander2

Any ideas? If someone wants to come over and fix it, I'll give them cash monies AND cold beer. I just wanna ride.

7/25/2010 11:29:48 PM

Possibly a ignition lock/cylinder issue where it's making flaky or incorrect contacts, but I'm leaning more toward a fuel-related issue since you're getting gas everywhere, particularly in the crankcase. With all the fuel-related symptoms, I'm inclined to suggest checking the fuel pump and injectors out thoroughly first. If you've got gas in the oil, it's getting past the rings most likely, which means it's sitting in the cylinder - faulty injector(s)?

As for diagnosing ignition problems, start at the cylinder and work your way out. If it's not starting, pull a plug and make sure it's getting fire, correct gapping, electrodes clean, etc. See if there's any fuel getting into the cylinder or too much getting in. I tend to believe that the fuel pump itself or the injectors are causing problems, but I have not had any major issues that required tearing into my FI bike, so this is limited experience talking. I'd start by simple process of elimination next time it tries to act flaky. Just quickly pulling the spark plug and examining it can often tell you a lot about ignition problems.

Have you tried removing the power commander and using a stock map?

[Edited on July 29, 2010 at 5:36 PM. Reason : .]

7/29/2010 5:36:09 PM

I can't seem to disconnect my PC at the moment. I'm going to try it this weekend and then work on eliminating electric issues and moving to fuel.

7/29/2010 9:17:02 PM

1. Make sure you have a good battery. A good battery should read ~13.6 - 14 VDC, 12 is not enough

2. disconnect and ohm out your regulator / rectifier (see Honda Service Manual for readings)

3. disconnect and ohm out your stator (see Honda Service Manual for readings)

4. see troubleshooting section in factory service manual.


I had a CBR900RR and it had similar symptoms. It absolutely sux getting stranded on a bike. My problem was a partially shorted stator, but make sure your battery and rectifier assembly are good before going there.

7/29/2010 11:53:24 PM

so this is why you are selling this bike.

lolz

7/30/2010 9:58:51 AM

got a chance to work on it more today. spark is fine, plugs are dry. I think it's either the fuel pump, injectors, or fuel pump relay. I removed the power commander for testing

8/10/2010 8:46:33 PM