maintenance issues with my '03...

[katrider]

Hiyall...well, my dependable '03 Sprint is starting to falter a little.

It has 18,000 miles on it, was fully serviced at 12,000 per the book (except the air filter was back ordered), I threw a new air filter in at 16,000 miles and I just changed the oil and filter at 18,000, so maintenance hasn't been neglected.

I went on a ride a few weeks ago with some friends and they all commented on the amount of black smoke coming out of my exhaust when I accelerated. Hmmm...means she's running rich, and not long after the new air filter (stock brand). And today she wouldn't start. First time ever for that! I was going to take it to work but it would only stumble after a minute of cranking and wouldn't catch. Ran out of time so I took my truck, but I did notice a pronounced smell of gas after all that cranking, so it was flooded.

Now to my question: after 6000 miles, can it be that the plugs have already gone off? I will say that it sat for a week without being started (I was waiting on new brake pads...), it started but ran on two cylinders until fully warmed up, then it cleared and ran fine. I pulled it in the garage, changed the pads, and about two hours later tried to start it and it wouldn't. Spark plugs again?? What say ye knowledgeable Triumph owners???

[steventhechef]

I'd be checking the plugs first and the fitment of the air cleaner to makes sure that it is snug and not leaking air.

The week sitting shouldn't make a difference to how it starts !!

[katrider]

I thought the same...it should fire right off!

Checking the air filter is a good idea. The problems really seem to start right after I changed it... :???:

[steventhechef]

it may just not be seating properly and letting air in. :???:

My RS often sits quietly and patiently waiting for me for a week and always starts in the first 3 or so seconds.

[DaveM]

I would suggest the same as steven.

If the air cleaner is sucking gobs of unfiltered air with less restriction than normal it could cause problems, possibly confusing the ECU too.

DaveM

[CYNCRZR]

I'd be sure that you got the fuel vent lines and fuel lines correctly re-installed. Since the tank came off for the air filter, this may be a candidate for the culprit!

[SEAsprintah]

On 2007-06-13 09:37, CYNCRZR wrote:
I'd be sure that you got the fuel vent lines and fuel lines correctly re-installed. Since the tank came off for the air filter, this may be a candidate for the culprit!

echo the air filter comments, but echo cyncrzr's fuel line comments also, since the gas you smelled wasn't flooding. only carbs flood. I'd make this a priority before riding anymore.

[SEAsprintah]

On 2007-06-13 09:37, CYNCRZR wrote:
I'd be sure that you got the fuel vent lines and fuel lines correctly re-installed. Since the tank came off for the air filter, this may be a candidate for the culprit!

echo the air filter comments, but echo cyncrzr's fuel line comments also, since the gas you smelled wasn't flooding. only carbs flood. I'd make this a priority before riding anymore.

[katrider]

Pulled the filter back off and pulled the box completely...everything looked good :???:

Pulled the plugs and they were complete junk...18000 miles and when theyb say change the plugs they mean it!!

New plugs and voila...started right up and runs fine again. Except my check engine light is now on. Ran the battery down a bit trying to crank it up so maybe it read low voltage on the battery?

Probably need to have that code read and the light reset...

BTW...I have a genuine Triumph repair manual, and nowhere in that book does it talk about the ignition system! I had to figuire it out the shade tree method...pull stuff off 'till you see something you recognize. Man, I am bummed about that, I thought that was a class act manual, now it's like a Chilton's minus the important stuff!! Anyone else have a similar experience??

[JasonS]

The Chk Engine light will go out after three start warm off cycles...