Starting Issues at the end of the day.

[Redd]

Just finished day two of my road trip, approximately 950 miles in so far, with many more in the next few weeks. When I arrived at the hotel tonight, I dropped off my gear and went to go to dinner. When I started the Beast, she idled REALLY sluggish and then died after about 15 seconds. Tried again, revved, and then drove off. After dinner, left the restaurant and it happened again. She's fine after I'm moving, but first off she's trying to die. Last week I had her serviced by pros for the pre-trip, so all fluids should be good. Oil is new, and was full two days ago. I added about 4 oz of Sea foam with my first tank right before I left, haven't added any since. NOTHING but premium on the fillups. 91 in Oklahoma and Arkansas, 93 here in Tennessee.

And that's it, I got nothing. Haven't googled the issue yet, thought I'd check in with my resident subject matter experts before I exercise my google-fu. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[redjay]

Why are you running 93octane in a stock 1700 ?
Has the throttle body been cleaned lately ?

[Redd]

Either that or 89, it's all that's available, and all texts say to use 91 at a minimum. I'll take advice on that topic, of course, my Triumph was a different beast altogether. As far as the throttle body, I just cleared 3000 miles on the odometer, I didn't think it would need that this early.

[DaPreacha]

I had a problem with my Nomad a few weeks ago with starting and display settings. It ended up being a loose connection in the headlight bucket where everything runs. It won't hurt to look and inspect, I searched for a solution for three days before I happened upon the loose connection. Hope you solve your problem soon!

[mbarr10]

Octane is a retardant for combustion. 93 vs 91 should not be your issue. It only retards the combustion. And that much should not be enough.
You did not give enough information to help in your diagnosis. Age of the Bike, Miles on the bike Ect. It could be to many things but more information and we may be able to Offer better suggestions.

[Redd]

2013 Voyager, 3k miles.

[gv550]

Hard starting and/or low idle when hot are symptoms of an intake manifold leak.

[recumbentbob]

Finish your trip (hoping it doesn't get worse) and fix it at home.

3,000 miles on a 2012 is really low mileage. I'd run seafoam in every tank of gas on your trip.

[smokier]

Originally Posted by Redd

Just finished day two of my road trip, approximately 950 miles in so far, with many more in the next few weeks. When I arrived at the hotel tonight, I dropped off my gear and went to go to dinner. When I started the Beast, she idled REALLY sluggish and then died after about 15 seconds. Tried again, revved, and then drove off. After dinner, left the restaurant and it happened again. She's fine after I'm moving, but first off she's trying to die. Last week I had her serviced by pros for the pre-trip, so all fluids should be good. Oil is new, and was full two days ago. I added about 4 oz of Sea foam with my first tank right before I left, haven't added any since. NOTHING but premium on the fillups. 91 in Oklahoma and Arkansas, 93 here in Tennessee.

And that's it, I got nothing. Haven't googled the issue yet, thought I'd check in with my resident subject matter experts before I exercise my google-fu. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Had a similar story with my '10 Nomad years ago. Turned out to be a bad connection at the battery. Check electrical connections.... Headlight bucket, under the seat. Loosen and retighten, unplug, replug...

Best wishes, ride safe,
Smokier

[Spondulas]

Similar thing happened to my 1600 on a high temperature trip thru Oklahoma. Reminded me of old fashioned vapor lock. I was going to try opening the gas cap to see if that made a difference but it never happened again. Don't know if it would help but only takes a few seconds and zero $ to find out.

[rick6375]

Had a hard starting ans rough/low idle on my 2012 Voyager the 1st year I had it. Did this for about a week, 2-3 tanks of gas, then just cleared up. Since you are on a road trip, you are likely getting gas from unfamiliar stations, could have gotten water or dirt in a tank or 2. Mine did this 4 years ago and has not done it since and dealer ould not duplicate it at the time.

[Redd]

I read somewhere that the ECU needs a few seconds (12 or so) to run it's BIT. Not sure if that's 100% accurate, but better safe than sorry, been waiting a bit after turning the key ever since. It's been 3700 miles so far, and it's only happened a few times, so I'm not gonna stress it, but thanks for all the advice. Well, the majority that gave advice.

[mbarr10]

I read somewhere that the ECU needs a few seconds (12 or so) to run it's BIT. Not sure if that's 100% accurate, but better safe than sorry, been waiting a bit after turning the key ever since. It's been 3700 miles so far, and it's only happened a few times, so I'm not gonna stress it, but thanks for all the advice. Well, the majority that gave advice.

So has the waiting for the ECU to boot up Helped your issues??

I use the radio to tell me when to start. After the radio comes on I feel the booting is complete then I start the beasty. Worked on the 1500 and now the 1700. Once I jumped the gun on a boot when I first got my 1500 ( My first Fuel injected bike) it ran crappy. Turned it off and waited on the next try. It fired right up and ran fine.

[Redd]

It seems like it, Mbarr, but correlation of course doesn't equal causation. Like I said, I've come 3700 miles and it's only happened 3 times, all before I started waiting 12 seconds. I'll run with that technique for now, and update if anything changes.