Triumphrat

thewar · 07-23-2009, 07:19 PM

Hey guys. I layed my 08 S3 down in the grass on its left side. It was pretty minor, just came up on a twisty too fast and got nervous instead of doing the right thing. Retarded I know. Anyway, the only thing is the left engine cover is scuffed/scratched up & the lower radiator hose was pulled off, so I lost all my coolant.

So, the first problem is that after the accident the bike starts up from cold really wierd(compared to how it used to). The starter doesnt turn over consistently is the best way I can describe it. Also takes alot longer to start from cold. However, once I do get it started, it runs fine, so If I had to guess.....its not a fuel problem. I have done quite a bit of research on this forum and 1 other & the two main things that I keep coming up w/ are the MAP sensor & the crank position sensor. I also couldnt seem to find in any of my research where these sensors are located, or if there is anyway to check them other than them just being obviously busted. I talked to my local dealer & they dont think that it could be either of these two, they want me to bring it in to retune it. What do you guys think? Could the impact have effected the tune?(Arrow 3-1, btw) I did notice a little bit more popping on downshift/decel since, but that could very well just be my imagination.

Second problem is the cooling system. I flushed & refilled the system. Then bled/burped air out w/ the bleeder screw. I have done this repeatedly, but it still keeps hitting 8 bars when it used to never go over 7. I keep taking it out for test rides after bleeding it & it stays at 7 for the most part, but eventually if you hit enough red lights it will get up to 8. The fan also doesnt cycle on & off at idle like it should, it just stays on constantly. As long as the bike is moving the temps are fine. Its wierd tho, cause I let it sit on in my driveway for nearly 10 minutes today & it stayed at 7. Its like theres an everlasting amount of air in there, cause everytime I crack the bleeder screw open, a little bit of air will hiss out. Been thru this more times than I care to share. Thinking about replacing the rad. cap. Any other suggestions. Sorry bout being a little longwinded.

j beede · 07-23-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewar

Hey guys. I layed my 08 S3 down in the grass on its left side. It was pretty minor, just came up on a twisty too fast and got nervous instead of doing the right thing. Retarded I know. Anyway, the only thing is the left engine cover is scuffed/scratched up & the lower radiator hose was pulled off, so I lost all my coolant.

So, the first problem is that after the accident the bike starts up from cold really wierd(compared to how it used to). The starter doesnt turn over consistently is the best way I can describe it. Also takes alot longer to start from cold. However, once I do get it started, it runs fine, so If I had to guess.....its not a fuel problem. I have done quite a bit of research on this forum and 1 other & the two main things that I keep coming up w/ are the MAP sensor & the crank position sensor. I also couldnt seem to find in any of my research where these sensors are located, or if there is anyway to check them other than them just being obviously busted. I talked to my local dealer & they dont think that it could be either of these two, they want me to bring it in to retune it. What do you guys think? Could the impact have effected the tune?(Arrow 3-1, btw) I did notice a little bit more popping on downshift/decel since, but that could very well just be my imagination.

Second problem is the cooling system. I flushed & refilled the system. Then bled/burped air out w/ the bleeder screw. I have done this repeatedly, but it still keeps hitting 8 bars when it used to never go over 7. I keep taking it out for test rides after bleeding it & it stays at 7 for the most part, but eventually if you hit enough red lights it will get up to 8. The fan also doesnt cycle on & off at idle like it should, it just stays on constantly. As long as the bike is moving the temps are fine. Its wierd tho, cause I let it sit on in my driveway for nearly 10 minutes today & it stayed at 7. Its like theres an everlasting amount of air in there, cause everytime I crack the bleeder screw open, a little bit of air will hiss out. Been thru this more times than I care to share. Thinking about replacing the rad. cap. Any other suggestions. Sorry bout being a little longwinded.

Not to be alarmist, but... You might get a compression check. Some bikes can suffer from hydraulic lockup after being laid over. As you probably know this is casued when oil gets into the head due to the bike being at an odd angle. When you right the bike and hit the start button damage can result as the dislocated oil does not compress or leak away according to PV=nRT like proper gases do. Cases I've heard of resulted in fairly catastrophic failures, e.g. bent rod, twisted crank, cracked block, etc--not slow starting as you described, so you are probably okay. Might be something to ask about though.
...j

DEcosse · 07-24-2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j beede

Not to be alarmist, but... You might get a compression check. Some bikes can suffer from hydraulic lockup after being laid over. ...

That only happens on your generation jbeede
- 02+ bikes do not have this issue with air being sucked into airbox and through the intakes, when bike goes down on left.
The breather design is completely different.

thewar:
Is your charging system working efficiently? Is it possible you damaged your stator in the left side fall (behind the cover on that side) It sounds as if your battery is lower than maybe should be?

You definitely have air in your cooling system which seems to be the root of your cooling issues. So follow the procedure implcitly and if you can't get it resolved, maybe you have to let the dealer address that one for you.

thewar · 07-24-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the replies.

DEcosse- Im not sure about the charging system. It seems to have plenty of power to start, just doesnt like to start. I guess the stator couldve been damaged if its right behind the cover that took the impact. I guess Ill search the forums for some voltage checks, or how to check the stator.

For the cooling system, Ill just keep workin on it, even tho Ive bled soo much air out of it already that I barely have any black paint left on the bleeder screw...

DEcosse · 07-24-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewar

... Im not sure about the charging system. It seems to have plenty of power to start...

I'm sorry - perhaps I misunderstood this part in your initial post......

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewar

....The starter doesnt turn over consistently is the best way I can describe it. ....

I had read that to mean not cranking properly.

If the battery has plenty of cranking power, then the stator is unlikely the issue.

thewar · 07-24-2009, 09:44 PM

Sorry. What I meant was that the battery seemed to have plenty of juice to turn it over/start it. The difference is, before the accident the starter would kick over in a uniform pattern, for lack of better terms. Now it starts wierd, like in a completely diff. pattern & takes a couple tries. Today I tested the voltage of the batt. with it off, ignition on, & bike on & the charging system is definitely good. 12.9vdc off & around 14vdc on. So, the charging system can be pretty much ruled out.

What do you think about the dealers idea of retuning? Waste of time, or could this have somehow been effected from the impact? Any comment on the 2 sensors I mentioned possibly being the culprit? Thanks