HARD START

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Warranty long gone. Of course it is raining so not push/pul starting it today. Won't touch it again till next weekend. My super reliable Ducati will take the lead if I can get out this week.

 

[markjenn]

Re: Very hard starting today

This is beginning to piss me off. WOT, nothing, 3/4 nothing, ........... Third day of trying, about ready to drag it around with the ATV. Not happy. 20k miles and first problem I had, caused by a worn out battery. Pulled fuse resulting in a couple of burbles, try again, nothing.... Don't want to burn up the starter.

Jump it with a car so you have lots of battery. Go WOT and hold it against the stop. DO NOT BACK OFF THROTTLE WHILE CRANKING.....EVER......UNTIL IT STARTS. Persistence is everything here - if you start screwing around with other techniques, you'll undo everything you've done. Crank for 20-secs at a time, resting the starter motor a couple minutes between attempts. Eventually it should sputter, then finally start and run.

If this doesn't work, pull the FI fuse and do the same.

If this doesn't work, replace plugs and do the same.

I bet you a dollar to a donut that in 30-60 secs of cranking, it sputters to life.

- Mark

 

[markjenn]

Re: Very hard starting today

So far I haven't had this happen but one thought I have is how many shut the bike off with the key and how many with the kill switch? I always have used the key; just wondering if that could be making a difference. Just a thought.

Been speculated about tens of times over the years. Doesn't appear to make the slightest difference..... the hard start has bitten those who shut their bike off with key and who shut their bike off with kill switch.

- Mark

 

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Jump it with a car so you have lots of battery. Go WOT and hold it against the stop. DO NOT BACK OFF THROTTLE WHILE CRANKING.....EVER......UNTIL IT STARTS. Persistence is everything here - if you start screwing around with other techniques, you'll undo everything you've done. Crank for 20-secs at a time, resting the starter motor a couple minutes between attempts. Eventually it should sputter, then finally start and run.

If this doesn't work, pull the FI fuse and do the same.

If this doesn't work, replace plugs and do the same.

I bet you a dollar to a donut that in 30-60 secs of cranking, it sputters to life.

- Mark

Will do Mark. Have left it alone this week in hopes of clear roads and warmer temps to aid in starting (or aiding me while I disassemble the bike).

 

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Well still no luck. Drug the thing for a tenth of a mile and still no start. Fuel yes, compression seems good, spark? I am sensing an ignition or timing problem. Spark plug check next (perhaps AMA towing to the nearest dealer). Thank the lord for my reliable Ducati.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Very hard starting today

It's a long shot, but we've seen the scenario before; What was the last thing done to the bike before the failure. Days, weeks, months even...

 

[Kevhunts]

Re: Very hard starting today

Just keep cranking until it catches on fire, then contact Yamaha for a free replacement. ::015::

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Very hard starting today

Just keep cranking until it catches on fire, then contact Yamaha for a free replacement. ::015::

::008::

I think that may only work once. ::025::

 

[AVGeek]

Re: Very hard starting today

::008::

I think that may only work once. ::025::

Reminded me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxohDs2-UM

 

[Olive Bee]

Re: Very hard starting today

It has happened to me to the point of giving up and battery was getting weak.I have a 2013 ( bought in 2014) with 15000 miles and I ride it everyday.Now I know that if it doesn't start on first turn of engine, I give just a little twist of the throttle ( maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch at the most)and it works every time.Hope that helps.

 

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Update on my saga. The bike is at the dealer. Has spark, has fuel, has compression, no start. They are checking timing now. I am guessing it may have skipped a tooth. I am liking the idea of a single cylinder again. Don't have the time to tear apart a bike to get to an engine. Oh well, hopefully the dealer will get it figured out soon and I am enjoying the Ducati in the mean time ::001::

 

[Juan]

Re: Very hard starting today

Curious on what the dealer finds. Keep us posted please.

 

[neilbarnwell]

Re: Very hard starting today

What do you do if WOT doesn't work?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Juan]

Re: Very hard starting today

I suppose it would be time to say WTF

There are good threads on what to do, so search the forum for this. In summary, assuming it's just the normal hard start and not something else (like blown fuse) leave it overnight to get rid of the excess fuel. In the meantime, put the battery on charge to ensure good power. Try WOT again the next day.

 

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Ok, so the cam chain skipped 6 teeth and I thank the Lord my valves are still intact. This happened at 18,300 miles on a 2012. Owners of updated models shouldn't need to worry about this because of the revised can chain tensioner. On the plus side, I got a complete tune up for half the price of the local BMW/Ducati dealer. If you have starting issues with an early model be aware of this possibility.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Very hard starting today

Ok, so the cam chain skipped 6 teeth and I thank the Lord my valves are still intact. This happened at 20000 miles on a 2012. Owners of updated models shouldn't need to worry about this because of the revised cam chain tensioner. On the plus side, I got a complete tune up for half the price of the local BMW/Ducati dealer. If you have starting issues with an early model be aware of this possibility.

No bent valves!? Outstanding. Everybody that I recall that has had their chain jump have also bent valves. I know of one that damaged the top of a piston enough to need a replacement.
Were you having the cold start chain clatter that we've determined is caused by the tensioner going slack over night? I think just about everybody here with that clatter has done something about it by now, at least I hope so.

 

[Juan]

Re: Very hard starting today

No bent valves!? Outstanding. Everybody that I recall that has had their chain jump have also bent valves. I know of one that damaged the top of a piston enough to need a replacement.
Were you having the cold start chain clatter that we've determined is caused by the tensioner going slack over night? I think just about everybody here with that clatter has done something about it by now, at least I hope so.

That is important information we need to know. Was there cold start chain clatter?

 

[switchback]

Re: Very hard starting today

Yes had the cold start chain noise. It was persistent for so long that I didn't realize how bad it was. Never really got worse it was just there. Must have slipped when the battery went dead and I tried to start, otherwise valve job. By the way it was 18,300 miles not 20k like I originally said. Bike runs fine now, no clatter and must have gotten lucky on the valves (thank the lord, knock on wood, ...). Don't know what else to say but the bike is quiet now, no other signs of trouble, runs smooth from 0-80 mph.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Re: Very hard starting today

Yes had the cold start chain noise. It was persistent for so long that I didn't realize how bad it was. Never really got worse it was just there. Must have slipped when the battery went dead and I tried to start, otherwise valve job. By the way it was 18,300 miles not 20k like I originally said. Bike runs fine now, no clatter and must have gotten lucky on the valves (thank the lord, knock on wood, ...). Don't know what else to say but the bike is quiet now, no other signs of trouble, runs smooth from 0-80 mph.

That is awesome. Good for another hundred thousand now! ::008::

 

[tomatocity]

Re: Very hard starting today

It will run smoother than you can imagine if you upgrade the clutch basket.