Cold engine miss

[Thud300]

Xaviera's been running very well while being pressed in to service as a daily commuter, but now she's developed a dead hole miss at cold ambients (35 or colder) for a short time until warmup, the last time I had her out it was 30F and it felt like two cylinders dropped out, this lasted a couple minutes then as things warmed up she came out of it and ran fine.

I'm thinking with over 100k on the clock, it's a secondary ignition problem, and she's overdue for spark plugs and/or wires. Any sage advice on this condition, or tackling this maintenance job?

[Mr Jensee]

Still might not be anything more than a fuel problem. I realize this seems to be the universal answer for engine misses but before I would do anything else I would put in a heavier concentration of Seafoam in the gas and running for a bit. Do this for a couple of tanks full see if there isn't a dirty needle valve or two that might clean up. I realize the bike is over 20 years old and a bike that old is bound to have issues with the ignition wires and vacuum hoses. Check all the plug wires for splits and cracks. Check your plugs for gas or oil on the tips. One more thing, check to make sure your carb boots are in good shape and the clamps are tight. Any air that inadvertently gets by into the engine especially at higher rpms will give it a miss.

[hank43]

Ya know, when we went to the rally in WI, my trike (2009 Voyager 1700) started missing when accelerating, I was sure it was something major, it took several full tanks of gas to settle that out though, now I think it was either water in the gas, or just bad gas (but from different stations, I think in 2 different states!) But anyway, that is what it was, just bad gas. No problems since then......


hank43

[cranky]

... recently had the same thing, but I run 15x50 Mobil 1 and I think it just took a bit
for the thicker oil to pump the lifters up..... and I burn Chevron gas and frequently
run Seafoam thru 'er.... just cause she has carb's...

[Thud300]

Update, her most recent ride was some late afternoon therapy with temps in the low 40s, no miss.

I run only Shell 87 octane, supplemented with a bit of TCW3 oil and Startron. My oil is Rotella T4 15W40, with a dose of Marvel Mystery OIl, which the clutch and trans seem to benefit from on all 3 of my Kawi's.

The oil might be thickening up a bit, she's coming up on first oil change interval since her resurrection.

[Mr Jensee]

FYI from someone who knows, trade secret. All gas comes from the same refineries. Makes no difference of the brand. Personally the wife and I use Valero exclusively unless we cant find a station. We go for the lowest price.

[cranky]

FYI from someone who knows, trade secret. All gas comes from the same refineries. Makes no difference of the brand. Personally the wife and I use Valero exclusively unless we cant find a station. We go for the lowest price.

I don not believe that to be true.... can't "prove" it, and not going on a witch hunt.... Hopefully
someone else will be alone with some "proof".... JM2C

[Thud300]

Top Tier fuels are certified to have sufficient additive and detergent packages to prevent deposits in engines. As a GM dealer tech I've seen firsthand what bad fuel can do, so I stick with the Top Tier brands. (Valero is on the list)

http://www.toptiergas.com/licensedbrands/

[hank43]

That link lists just about ALL of the gas brands, including some I have never heard of. I use the cheapest gas I can find, once or twice I have had to pay for that, but really, as long as it's 90+ octane, and hasn't sat underground for a winter, it's all good.

hank43

[cushman eagle]

Thud300,I wonder if your enricheners are not working properly on the cylinders that misfire in cold weather ,so the engine has to warm up to get those cylinders to run.You said it ran OK in slightly warmer weather,which makes me think that may be the case.