Coil packs Twas the night before the big ride

[zimtuff]

Ive been servicing my bike for a 1000 ride which was supposed to take place today,but last night the bike was firing on 2 cylinders only. Its not the 1st time.It has happened before intermittently maybe 4 times , over the last 2 years.Its been fine for at least 6 months or more
Usually with some RPM or about 4-5 minutes it would come good ,but not this time. I have checked the leads and wiring to the plugs and coils and all seems good.
I was thinking if it was 1 spark plug or lead it would probably still fire on the plug ,but with a totally dead cylinder Im thinking its a coil pack.
I spoke to a few mechanics who said it would be hard to diagnose unless it played up while they were inspecting it,so I let it go.

I can smell unburnt fuel in the exhaust so I can assume the injector is pumping fuel in there.

Its still dark so I havent had time to start digging


Anyone have any thoughts on my problem?

 

[TriumPhil]

Beyond their inspection, did you clean and recrimp the connections from the spark plugs to the coils? If not, do so and put a dab of dielectric grease on each one!

 

[zimtuff]

Beyond their inspection, did you clean and recrimp the connections from the spark plugs to the coils? If not, do so and put a dab of dielectric grease on each one!

No ,I havent got in there yet.The problem started at sunset yesterday and my shed does not have good lighting. I was going to to try and find an ignition tester this morning to find out which cylinder is not firing

Are the coils specific to each cylinder or can they be swapped around?The reason I ask is because I saw some used ones on ebay being sold to suit individual cylinders.

 

[zimtuff]

Are the spark plugs fouled up?

I havent had a chance to look at them but the way it has played up leads me to think otherwise. In the past ,the cylinder has either fired continously or not at all.
I've haD iridium plugs in there for the last 30000 klms

A bad coil should through a CEL and TuneECU or TuneBoy should be able to pick up the error code.

Ive only just bought a laptop but not sure how to use the software. Will be researching it today.

 

[ruzzle]

Hey Zim, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the bike's stuffed, mate. I'll give ya fifty bucks for the remains........

 

[TriumPhil]

Sayeth The Grim Reaper

Start with what I recommended to do, it's simple, and go from there!

 

[zimtuff]

So far I know its #1 cylinder that is not firing. Im working on the theory that its dead coil pack.Im swapping it around with #3 coil and see what happens. I dont have the cable for tune ecu and cant seem to find one locally and it will be at least a week getting one off the net.

Beyond their inspection, did you clean and recrimp the connections from the spark plugs to the coils?

Do you mean the plug leads Phil? How do you recrimp them,they just plug onto little spikes on the coil end?
In any case its hard to believe both of them would die at precisely the same moment

 

[Battersea]

I would try the low tensions lead connections, I have had this problem as have with quite a few other members.

 

[Trirocket3]

I fitted higher output coils (better for higher performance motors)
Have some for sale if anyone in UK is interested.

 

[pjsmithres]

squeeze/crimp all connections on plug wires and HT leads.
I put a spot on di-electric grease in all connections to avoid odd moisture of corrosion.
Check plugs for fuel deposit.

If Tune ECU doesn't tell you, SWAP the coils around for 1 to 2 to 3 to 1. ride for 30 minutes if possible.
Recheck the plugs for fuel or proper operation.

I can't tell how many times I have had a problem and it was fixed by disassembly and reassembly.

I would expect that tune ECU will spot it.