More (lack of) combustion
Yesterday I wrote about my motorcycle problem.Today I dove deeper into the fray.This morning before work I pulled the fuel injectors. It's a simple job that takes one screw per side. When I tried to start the bike I got nothing out of either one. I should have figured it wasn't the injectors because the chance of both going bad is quite low.I was really getting ready for a "don't try this at home" situation when I would try to clean the injectors by soaking them in gas in my ultrasonic cleaner. Wouldn't be a good thing to do, but I figure if I'm outside I'd likely have walked away from it. 8-) Really though... just because I would try that don't do it yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you.With nothing coming out the injectors I can safely say I have a fuel issue. Air and spark have both been verified. That, and it's somewhere upstream from the injector ports.
After work I pulled the fuel supply from the injectors. If I get gas pouring out the hose when I power up the bike then I can safely say it's the injector. If I don't then it's further up from there.
I didn't get anything. Just a dribble when I pulled off the hose -- but that's just what was there from before.
At this point I'm running out of options. Between the tank and the fuel hose is just a few things: fuel pump, fuel pump controller, distribution tubes. There's also the carbon canister, but that should not interrupt the flow of fuel, just perhaps make things run rough.The tubes and hoses are not likely to be the problem. They might constrict the flow, but shouldn't cause a dead stop. The pump is an option, but I'm hoping that's not the case.The fuel pump controller, on the other hand, is a known source of problems.
What this guy does is modulate the speed of the fuel pump. There's no distinct problem to running the pump at 100% all the time other than it's wasteful and loud. However, if something leaks under it there have been many reports of it spontaneously frying itself. Someone took it upon themselves to make a cable to bypass it. I ordered one up from BurnsMoto to try this option. It's another $40, but it can save my bacon if I'm in the boonies and it dies (even if it's not the problem now).
So, I have two options I see:
- Fuel pump controller is broken. I'll know as soon as I get the bypass cable and try it out. If that's the case I can order a new controller for $150 and get back on the road.
- Otherwise, it's the fuel pump. This is a bigger task since I need special tools to get into the tank to replace it. I've not heard any systemic problems with it so I'm crossing my fingers that it's not the problem. If it is the pump I can likely pull the tank and drive it to a BMW shop to save the tow. Cost for this option is likely $330 + markup + labor. It's still cheaper than with a tow.
Wish me luck!