Reluctant starts

Braaapster · Jul 19, 2024

The starter motor seems mildly anemic but the bike has been starting quite reliably after a few cycles.

The bike is normally parked underground, except at work. With warmer weather now, I’ve had two instances where it seemed like the bike was not going to start when leaving work at the end of the day.

I’ve also been surprised to find the tank being mildly pressurized when refueling at the gas pump. Starting to wonder whether the hot & cold weather starts are being aggravated by tank pressure/vacuum being caused the apparent lack of direct vent line on the tank.

I wonder if the vent line is the plugged hose, hanging under the rear side of the engine case, and whether the plug is some Euro 5 BS that is intended to force venting through a restrictive evap canister.

Thoughts?

Braaapster · Jul 19, 2024

My surprise is based on my ‘16 KTM 690 Enduro: it had an evap can (which I removed with a sensor bypass) but it also had a direct tank vent hose, near the filler hole.

Wiggum · Jul 24, 2024

Braaapster said:
The starter motor seems mildly anemic but the bike has been starting quite reliably after a few cycles.

The bike is normally parked underground, except at work. With warmer weather now, I’ve had two instances where it seemed like the bike was not going to start when leaving work at the end of the day.

I’ve also been surprised to find the tank being mildly pressurized when refueling at the gas pump. Starting to wonder whether the hot & cold weather starts are being aggravated by tank pressure/vacuum being caused the apparent lack of direct vent line on the tank.

I wonder if the vent line is the plugged hose, hanging under the rear side of the engine case, and whether the plug is some Euro 5 BS that is intended to force venting through a restrictive evap canister.

Thoughts?

Hello: I have had the same issue as you. Usually starts normally every time, when hot or cold. It’s when it’s sat all day in the heat (shade or open) like after leaving work. It acts like the battery is dead for the first attempt at starting ( check battery voltage = 13.3V). Then next try it turns over normally however it won’t start. It eventually does start after about 6 tries and acts like a flooded carbureted bike until it clears itself. It has happened about 5 times in the last 3 weeks and 1500 km. Last time it threw an engine fault. I will get the fault code read in the next couple days and report back.

Braaapster · Jul 24, 2024

Totally seems like it’s flooded.

I’m away from the bike for the next three weeks, but next chance I’m gonna open the gas cap (to “burp” the tank) before I turn on the ignition and fuel pump.

I’m wondering if the injector dribbles a lot during the power up / boot sequence.

Braaapster · Jul 24, 2024

Might even start burping it after each ride, just to see if that makes a difference.

Wiggum · Jul 24, 2024

Thanks for your reply. For me after the first time it happened I opened the gas cap snd there wasn’t any apparent pressure buildup, but maybe I didn’t notice it. Good to know I am not the only one experiencing this!

Braaapster · Aug 22, 2024

I been burping the tank before every ride. Lots o' venting and fumes but no problems with starting anymore.

If this is the fix then I'm thinking Ducati can probably remedy with a minor firmware update; I suspect they may be cycling the injector on boot.

Wiggum · Aug 22, 2024

Wiggum said:
Great to know, thanks for sharing!

Paul1098 · Oct 1, 2024

Only been out for 3 rides on mine and last ride bike was difficult to start after it had been in garage overnight then OK all day and nearly didn't start after last petrol stop of the day, had to leave it a couple of minutes and tried again.
Be interesting to see what dealer says as it's in for first service on Thursday

Braaapster · Oct 1, 2024

You've only put three rides on the bike and it's going in for the 600 mile service? Lol, my ass aches just imagining anything over 100 km.

You get my vote for honoris causa membership in:

Paul1098 · Oct 1, 2024

I was out for 8 hours on sunday to get the miles on ready for it's first service. Didn't think it was that uncomfortable although it's certainly not a long distance tourer.

Reluctant starts

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