97' TL1000S smoking, dies w/ throttle

[deez_27]

Hey guys--Im in a jam here. My TL1000S starts, but runs muffled, about half as loud and about half as much exhaust blowing out my D&Ds. If you give it gas, it dies, and idling it sounds like its straining. It started abrubtly one morning when I went to head to class and it died when I gave it throttle to take off. It had its major service completed three weeks ago, full oil change, filter, tuneup, and a top-to-bottom inspection, which it passed fine. I went out to start it just now, and it let me goose the throttle, but still, as before, runs like it has no power. Worse, and the reason im freaking out, is I noticed that white smoke is coming out from the bottom of the bike, from around the kickstand/foot peg area. Can anyone help me here? Thanks alot.

[Dave2122]

If you can answer a few questions first, it will help me get on track with the problem.

Did you ride the bike much after it was in the shop?
If so how many miles and how did it run?

Does the bike idle on it's own?
Or does it idle and then stall?

When it is running at idle do you here any odd noises?

In the meantime I would remove the fairings and look at the area that you saw smoke from. Also you may want to look at all the electrical connectors and make sure they are all correctly plugged in. also look for any signs of leaks from fuel, oil, coolant.
Make sure you do not have any pinched hoses such as the fuel lines or vacume lines.

[deez_27]

Thx for the help--Ok, in the last few weeks Ive put about 120 miles on the bike--less than 2 tanks of gas riding back and forth to school, work, etc. It normally runs like a dream, idles normally, no problems. Right now it idles OK, but it sputters some, and of course sounds very weak. Since I wont be able to take the fairings off until tomorrow, the only thing I can think of that has happened differently with the bike is that I had to jump it off a pickup truck last week (I know I know but I was stranded out in BFE) b/c the stock battery was shot. In fact, that was the last day it ran normally, the next morning it started this behavior and the battery went out again, so I ordered a new one that I put in today, and here we are. Ive got a feeling that I may be very, very stupid.

[TL chris]

Originally Posted by deez_27

Hey guys--Im in a jam here. My TL1000S starts, but runs muffled, about half as loud and about half as much exhaust blowing out my D&Ds. If you give it gas, it dies, and idling it sounds like its straining. It started abrubtly one morning when I went to head to class and it died when I gave it throttle to take off. It had its major service completed three weeks ago, full oil change, filter, tuneup, and a top-to-bottom inspection, which it passed fine. I went out to start it just now, and it let me goose the throttle, but still, as before, runs like it has no power. Worse, and the reason im freaking out, is I noticed that white smoke is coming out from the bottom of the bike, from around the kickstand/foot peg area. Can anyone help me here? Thanks alot.

Check out www.TLPlanet.com. Those guys are all about the TL's and more than likely they can point you in the right direction about 99% of the time. Good links to parts and stuff too.

[deez_27]

ok Im checking it out on TLplanet, thanks alot for the link. One more thing, though, if the poor idle/running is due to a fouled plug, what could be causing my engine to foul plugs so often? The plugs ive got in there dont even have 150 miles on them, and the ones before that fouled early as well. I havent cranked the gas on startup (which I know will foul a plug in my TL about 75% of the time, dont know about anyone else's) so what else could do it?

[TL chris]

ECU could be messed up giving you too rich of a fuel mixture. I couldn't say for sure though. Check that site and search in the mechanics section. Probably a few guys close to you. Some guys are nice enough that they might come over and help you out with bike probs.

[Braada]

Originally Posted by deez_27

ok Im checking it out on TLplanet, thanks alot for the link. One more thing, though, if the poor idle/running is due to a fouled plug, what could be causing my engine to foul plugs so often? The plugs ive got in there dont even have 150 miles on them, and the ones before that fouled early as well. I havent cranked the gas on startup (which I know will foul a plug in my TL about 75% of the time, dont know about anyone else's) so what else could do it?

The answer to that might lie within the answer to this question. How far do you ride to school each day?
I've got a couple of friends with the TL's (1S,1R) and the one thing that sticks out in my mind that they have both commented on is how quickly that big twin will foul plugs if you don't ride it far enough to get it up to temp. If you are doing a lot of short trips then you are not getting the cylinder hot enough to fully ignite all of your fuel (heat and spark both play a factor in ignition) and that may be causing your fouling.

Just a thought

[deez_27]

Thanks guys, I FINALLY got some free time today to tear down my TL--replaced the plugs (good god I had no idea how much of a pain the front plug is to get to) and she runs fine. Apparently the thread about weak battery starts fouling the plugs is very true. As far as the smoking, here lies another question--I noticed that the smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe, right under the engine initially, and smelled like oil. After letting her sit for a bit, the smoke stopped coming from the gasket at the start of the exhaust and moved down to the actual pipe under the bike (apparently from the oil burning off the pipe near the engine and starting to burn as the heat built up furthur down the pipe.) Now then, what should I do here? Is it normal to get some oil spray on the exhaust? I noticed that the fairing lining underneath the bike had a fair amount of oil buildup, and the casing with the oil cap has a fair amount of oil on its bottom. You guys have been absolutely incredible help thus far, any suggestions/comments? Thanks very much, again.

[TL chris]

Might wanna go over every nut and bolt with a fine tooth comb so to speak. Oil coming out of the exhaust? Hmm.... that may be a few problems compounded. Piston rings, valves, no idea. Since the Tillis doesn't have fairings ( or did you put some on?) clean the motor off with engine degreaser but watch that paint!!! Hopefully a clean motor will point the direction to an oil leak better than one all gooked up with engine crud. Hope this helps.

[Phease]

If it was serviced recently could it be a little bit of oil that has dribbled down the pipes from replacing the oil filter?