Engine trouble

[Sean]

Help me diagnose an engine issue, if you would? Here is all of the info I know leading up to the temporary death of my 05 KTM950Adv. The engine is a carbed V-twin.

- Bikes was running fine, a little weak because we were at 11,800 ft, but not bad.

- I drop it on a steep uphill. Get it back upright, give it a few minutes because it flooded and she starts up. Not strongly, but starts.

- About 10 min later I drop it again (the trail was getting stupid-hard). Get it back upright, let it sit for a few minutes, and no starting.

- Keeping waiting (thinking it's flooded) and nothing. Eventually the battery seems like it's going to die from trying to start it to many times.

- Thinking it's electrical now, I try to jump it off of another bike. No luck. But it seems like there is power to the bike. The dash lights up fine.

- Get it to 30+ mph downhill to bump start it (these bikes need serious speed to bump start, it turns over but only runs for about 1-3 seconds before dying. I do this multiple times (It was a big hill). Sometimes turning the throttle, sometimes no throttle, sometimes choke, nothing. And what's odd is that there was no strong smell of gas. At least not that any of us could smell.

- It kind of seemed like the more times I tried to bump start it, the shorter the interval of engaging the engine would be.

- Tried to start it last night and the power would come on fine but when I turned the key the starter would click but the engine wouldn't try and turn over.

At first I was thinking it was the fuel pump (a common issue with these bikes) but now I'm wondering if it's something with the spark plugs since it's not firing at all. Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.

[rybo]

Carbs?

Perhaps there is a stuck float from dropping it that's preventing gas from getting to the engine?

Thats a first guess

[dirkterrell]

Sounds like fuel starvation to me. Fuel pump and filter shouldn't be hard to check.

[Sean]

I didn't know that carbs could get stuck? It didn't fall that hard. But I'll def check it out.

[TinkerinWstuff]

replacing spark plugs are easiest and cheapest 1st step.

check for spark, fuel supply to carbs, compression test (stupid simple and rules out any mechanical issues), and then carbs themselves.

[Bueller]

replacing spark plugs are easiest and cheapest 1st step.

+1 fuel fouled plugs will act like that.

[Sean]

Plugs wouldn't be a bad idea. I'm the third owner of the bike and I have no idea if they have ever been changed. Good idea.

[Matrix]

Here's an idea...stop dropping it!

[Sean]

Here's an idea...stop dropping it!

Let's keep the resolutions realistic, shall we?

[Zach929rr]

This sounds like SOP for KTMs.

[Sean]

This sounds like SOP for KTMs.

The bike does require a bit of maintenance (which I'm slowly learning how to do) but I love this bike. It's perfect for what I want to do. Sure, it'd be nice to have a 450 and a track bike also, but for an all-around bike, life doesn't get better! Worth all of the time spent doing maintenance.

[cptschlongenheimer]

I agree with Dirk. Check your plugs but it sure sounds like fuel starvation.

[Sean]

So I've been reading...I mean working hard at work, and it sounds like the plugs are a pain in the ass to change, but when doing so, people recommend syncing the carbs. Questions:

1. Are NGK plugs the standard? That seems to be all that pops up when I search.

2. I'm almost at 10k miles, should I try and sync the carbs since I have to remove them to get to the plugs (pending I get it running). Should I pick up one of the tools in this thread? link Or should I just take it to a shop for something like that?

[TransNone13]

Is the KTM direct coil ignition? I have sportbikes, but I've always used NGK or Denso iridium plugs. Although, be forewarned if you purchased the NGK premium plugs it cost me like $15/$20 per from a shop.

[Aracheon]

Here's an idea...stop dropping it!

[Sean]

Is the KTM direct coil ignition?

I am inclined to say no, because that sounds fancy, but I have no idea.

[TransNone13]

Like, is there a fancy looking thing that plugs into the spark plug or is just a standard plug cap etc...

[TFOGGuys]

NGK plugs are OE in 90+% of bikes manufactured world wide. The plugs in your bike SHOULD have dual ground electrodes, but are otherwise unremarkable. If you let me know year and exact model, i can tell you if there's an optional "upgraded" plug that's applicable..

Edit: NM, looked at the info in your sig... The correct plug is NGK CR8EK. I have one , more coming in tomorrow

[bodhizafa]

Here's an idea...stop dropping it!

You should have seen the trail....with a 500lb bike

[rybo]

Sean! I found the answer to your question in another post! Here you go!





Solution: set server NIC to negotiate at the same speed that the switch port is set to

[TinkerinWstuff]

In light of plugs being a PITA to change:

check fuel flow to the carbs first.

change plugs because they are relatively cheap and part of preventative maintenance.

Do a simple carb cleaning as it's part of preventative maintenance and you pulled them anyway.

sync carbs on reinstall because it's part of normal tuning and generally recommended when pulling and reinstalling carbs.

ride your ass off and enjoy dropping your bike because that's what it's for.

[brennahm]

Why would carb cleaning be part of regular maintenance?

[TFOGGuys]

I think the root problem is the nut between the seat and the handlebar...

[Sean]

Edit: NM, looked at the info in your sig... The correct plug is NGK CR8EK. I have one , more coming in tomorrow

If I can find a time to make it to Golden, I'll give you a heads up.

You should have seen the trail....with a 500lb bike

Jay should know. He helped me push the bike uphill, multiple times, to level ground!

Solution: set server NIC to negotiate at the same speed that the switch port is set to

That was obviously the first thing I checked, or did, or whatever the hell that means. But yeah, I did it.

In light of plugs being a PITA to change:

check fuel flow to the carbs first.

change plugs because they are relatively cheap and part of preventative maintenance.

Do a simple carb cleaning as it's part of preventative maintenance and you pulled them anyway.

sync carbs on reinstall because it's part of normal tuning and generally recommended when pulling and reinstalling carbs.

ride your ass off and enjoy dropping your bike because that's what it's for.

From what I read, the plugs are underneath the carbs. So if I'm going to do one, I'll just do the other too.

I think the root problem is the nut between the seat and the handlebar...

Which foot is the front brake?