At 6PM I rode my gutless VStrompasourus out of the Osorno Suzuki dealer a beaten man!
Start & Stop: Osorno, Chile
Mileage: 10 powerless miles
Hotel: Hostel Riga, Osorno, Chile – $56 USD
Fuel: $716 Chilean Peso /l liter ($1.51/1 liter) or $5.72 per gal!
Currency Exchange: $1 USD = $473 Chilean Peso
Chilean Toll Road: $400-1500 Chilean Pesos ($0.85-$3.17 USD)
Agriculture Theme: Lumber, Dairy, Wheat,
Lisa: Noon-Sorry everyone, we’re still here. (You have NO IDEA how sorry we are.) The fuel injector fix didn’t, the replacement spark plug wires did nada, and now we’re all just standing around the bike, shaking heads from side to side, arms folded, attempting to stare it into submission. So far, nothing. Well, nothing good anyway.
Meanwhile the owner of the shop is on the phone to the Suzuki,CL VP. Lessee where *that* goes.
more later…just wanted to save you all the step of checking our SPOT tracker.
Dean: It is becoming clear that after 2 days in the Vina del Mar Suzuki shop and the day and 1/2 here in Osorno Suzuki dealer, that this problem is not going to get fixed. We originally had plenty of time for unplanned events. However, our December return to Southern California and Lisa’s upcoming IBA Jacksonville FL event means our ride to Ushuaia must be completed by March 1. Bikes will be shipped out of Santiago. We both have flights back to the US March 9.
At 3:00 PM I began searching for a rental bike. The first place we checked was the MotoAdvenura and they did not have any available BMWs!! 30+ bikes in that rental/tour/excursion facility and all are reserved. Pedro had a rental VStrom but it was out. I guess I could buy a bike and as ridiculous as that sounds I actually considered it.
There was a customer 2010 VStrom DL1000 in the shop. Pretty much everything on or around my VStrom’s throttle bodies were replaced and tested. AND truly, after all that, we stood around the bike and just looked at it. The towel was thrown into the ring. The Osorno Suzuki techs put everything back together. The last thing we exchanged again was the Crank Shaft Position Sensor and no joy.
Lisa and I replaced all my plastic and when I asked about the bill, Pedro Kauak, owner of MotoSur, Osorno, Chile said “No Bill!” I was floored. He had tech Christian working for 1.5 days with support from two other techs. After I explained what was done at the Vina del Mar Suzuki shop, Pedro and Christian worked on the fuel injection, then the spark plug wires then on the phone with Suzuki Chile to checked the air filter temp sensor and the cam shaft position alignment sensor. Pedro was involved in every step in analyzing the problem and trying to find a solution. They pulled/removed the throttle bodies and checked the vacuum ports, and metered all the sensors and all the hoses. They checked the rectifier, removed the secondary butterflies, nothing worked!!
After a day and one-half of intense service, Pedro charged me zero! He basically said after a day and one-half I’m leaving exactly as I arrived. No power after 3K RPM sooo no charge! You Chilean Suzuki dealers are golden!!! Thank you.
I rode out of the shop engine loosing power at 3K. I have no ideas except to see if I could drag/push/hump/shove this blankety-blank-piece-of-shinola over the Andes into Argentina tomorrow. I did not sleep well …
I know nothing about FI or stroms…..but I remember you saying that when the secondary butterfly opened is when the bike started to die. Can you disconnect that second butterfly? Sorry for butting in….. But if there’s any fresh thinking, it might come from someone who knows nothing.
Now wait a minute, Ground Hog day is Feb 2, my Birthday. Maybe you mean the “hogs” are grounded. Anyway, really enjoying following your escapades (is that what they are?). Good luck on the rest of the journey – you’re gettin’ there! And do eat, it’s good for you.
OK, why not have the mechanic take off the dang secondary butterflies per BR’s recommendation? Shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes or so, while everyone is waiting on the phone call. Then test ride it and see if it helps. Or have y’all already done that?
Lisa,
Having followed you along this far, checking your spot tracker is but one way, as simple as it may seem, to send a signal to both of you that we’re all here pulling for ya.
It’s my way of tagging along for the distance, whatever you determine that to be.
Thank you for the opportunity to do so.
Keep Going! The best is yet to come…
Brian R. Suggested removing the external butterflies or whatever they are called. Would that be worth a try? Put them back on if no dice?
Sorry and bummed to hear you are still having trouble…
Secondary TB butterflies were removed. Techs wanted the diagnostic to be near stock a s possible so they reinstalled after test ride. Still cuts out at 3K.
Dean, I imagine this has already been looked at, but just in case – is the O2 sensor functioning properly?
Dean and Lisa,
Some info about throttle plates here.. maybe helpful, maybe not..
http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,6477.0.html
Quick update – man, if there is something that hasn’t been done or checked, i don’t know what it is. The plates were removed – nothing. There is no O2 sensor on US 2004 models. We swapped a bunch of sensors with another bike, ran diagnostics on others, etc etc. So far, here we are, almost 3pm on Friday and nothin’ good goin’ on here. sorry guys
Sorry for my unsolicited 2cents but I’ve been an auto tech for some 30 years and I agreed with a previous post about an exhaust restriction. Maybe try dropping down the pipes at the heads and taking a test drive. It will be quite loud but should eliminate the complete exhaust as the culprit. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
*secondary butterflies not external *rolls eyes*
Arrg.captcha captchaed my post.
I’d sure try switching tanks to see if the problem remains or transferred…
Dean, if the problem transfers to Lisa’s bike, ride away as quickly as possible!
(just kidding Lisa, don’t kill me)
I’m thinking something simple.. fuel tank vent lines, etc.
It appears removing the throttle plates is simple..
http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,10844.0.html
Good luck, Don
Don, thanks for your comments/help. The secondary throttle plates (top butterflies) were removed and the bike tested. All it did was make the idle rough. It also messed up the Suzuki Diagnostic System readouts. To keep the techs happy, the secondary throttle plates were reinstalled.
Dean check and recheck the coil(s).
If there is current leakage on either in the coil it needs dwell time and at a certain rpm runs out of time tobuild the magnetic field sufficiently.
Another experienced Strom rider told me offline that y’all should look at the high-pressure fuel filter, not the low-pressure filter shown earlier in the blog.
He was going to send Lisa an email directly.
That’s not a bad idea – I did a google search and found this. Sounds like this guy had a lot of what Dean was talking about.
http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=12949.0
Although, end result was electrical?
You need to bypass the stock fuel filter. The pressure side of the fuel filter is plugged.
Check on vsri.com or stromtrooper forum for the procedure and replacement filters.
The reason for the bypass is $$$$.
The filter is part of the $600 fuel pump. Bypass is an odd operation, but cheap and effective many times over.
So far, mine has needed it, but will someday…
Good Luck
A fuel pump flow through test was done for 3 minutes. Through put was normal.
Sheeeeeaat!!! Thought for sure that would have been it!
Love the FI’s, but at times like this you got to love a carb.
When it rains, it pours… Let’s hope it doesn’t hail though…
Might be time for plan B soon..
Don’t worry – one way or another you will be rolling again.
Having owned a fuel injected Suzuki since 2006, this sounds suspiciously like a CKPS crank position sensor, or signal generator (all the same thing). When they get faulty, the ignition sequence is fouled up and the bike runs rough, if at all. Good luck. Hope you are on your way soon.
What a Bummer! If you have to struggle on it might be ok. I was looking on google earth and it seems to be down hill all the way for the rest of the trip!! Have you tried making new butterflies out of One of Deans DVDs??
I’ve been searching the internet trying to figure out what might be the problem but you seem to have covered everything.
If it were me….I’d ditch the bike and rent one. Worry about your own later.
Good luck guys.
How ’bout installing a pair of FCR’s? Then again, there’s still that 990. Once you’ve had Orange, you never go back.
Dear Lisa and Dean
i will receive the racks ( metal crates ) for your v stroms next monday… i have ordered that they will be locked until you guys return to the shop.
i’m deeply sorry to hear that you still had problems with Dean’s Bike… also i feel shame about people don’t know about mechasnichs and charge for something they don’t do… ( that gay that tell you the inyectors was clugged)…( we tested them and they are ok )…
i’m still pretty sure about the failure is on the tps/stator ( regulator too )…. in order to really do a good job on yor bike you will need at least 3 days dedicated only on the bike… the SDS ( Suzuki Diagnosis Sistem ) is very basic … it only check for sensors failures… ( you have to look out for all the connections, plugs, everything)….
Really sorry for my english.. ( i havn’t practiced in so many years )
if i can help you please let me know….
Matias – you rock! your english is so much better than our Spanish so don’t worry. we are sooooo happy that you have secured crates for the bikes. MUCHAS Gracias, my friend. We hope that your schedule allows us to treat you and your girlfriend to dinner but otherwise we will see you in California.
This problem with the bike is very confusing and we will all look forward to finding out the real cause.
see you soon, amigo!!! and am praying for your complete healing!
Matias,
My thoughts and prayers are for you friend!
Thank you for securing the V-Strom metal shipping crates!
Pedro Kauak, owner of MotoSur, Osorno, Chile had tech Christian working for 1.5 days with support from two other techs. After I explained what was done at your shop, Pedro and Christian worked on the fuel injection, then the spark plug wires then on the phone with Suzuki Chile to checked the air filter temp sensor and the cam shaft position alignment sensor. Pedro was involved in every step in analyzing the problem and trying to find a solution. They pulled/removed the throttle bodies and checked the vacuum ports, and metered all the sensors and all the hoses. They checked the rectifier, removed the secondary butterflies, nothing worked!!
After a day and one-half of intense service, Pedro charged me zero! He basically said after a day and one-half I’m leaving exactly as I arrived. No power after 3K RPM sooo no charge! You Chilean Suzuki dealers are golden!!! Thank you.
AMAZING!! You guys found some truely golden people!
Sorry you are still stranded – no wise ass remarks today – just sending all the karma in the bank your direction – make sure it doesn’t slip past you. on the way NOW – but I’m not sure what the avg. speed for karma transference is.
Keep an eye out.
Can’t send u any mechanical advise but can send you wishes that your problems are soon solved so that you can go merrily on your way. Love ya
I love you more!!!!! thanks for following along and can’t wait to see you xoxoxooxo
Does your ‘strom have any sort of crank position sensor? I’ve found a few wiring diagrams on the web but some of the acronyms are ambiguous. It looks like there is a separate sensor for the secondary throttle that could be confusing the ECU. There is also a PAIR sensor. I have no idea what that is.
I suspect you are looking for a faulty sensor that has gotten worse over time. It is losing its ability to respond and the diagnostics may be fooling you. Often those cannot replicate conditions under load.
Of course it may not be the sensor itself. It might be a connection to the wiring harness or … horrors … a section of the wiring harness that has worn partially through and now has just the right capacitance to ground that anything above 3 kHz is AC coupled to ground.
Have you checked the full extent of the harness and all connections?
Jeff,
There was a new customer DL1000 in the shop. The techs exchanged most of the sensors in the air cleaner, throttle body and crank position sensor, air filter temp and test ridden. Same with the EECU. No change. Still lost power at 3K. All wires to the sensor were checked and continuity tested.
Yay! They’re movin’ again this AM. Past Bariloche and on their way south on the 40.
Dean,
Similar frustrating problem with Vee’s have been reported many times at the VSRI forum.
Since you have eliminated the top 2 causes, ECU and Fuel delivery, that leaves the
third, a Throttle Position Sensor going from bad to worse.
Evidently, a TPS can test good electronically but still be bad in operation. Only a
test by replacement is definitive according to the posts about successful fixes.
Best of luck, ride safe.
I’m starting to think a very small crack in the block or manifold.