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Thread: Troubleshooting advice: Rough running XB

  1. #1

    Troubleshooting advice: Rough running XB

    Hello Buell XB people!

    To make a long story short, I've just picked up a 2006 XB12X Uly that's been sitting for around a year and half. Got it running with a new battery, and on the way home could not help but notice how horribly rough it ran.

    Throttle response was all over the place, it sputters and surges big time. The check engine light was on all the way home, and although it didn't cut out while idling, the RPMs would tend to flutter and drop.

    Anyway, I'm really just looking for some basic advice on what to check, and would also welcome any thoughts as to how I can properly diagnose the trouble I'm having. I'm really new to Buell, and would be really grateful for any guidance.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Cooter's Avatar
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    With no info to go on, strangers on the internet will cost you money, time, and frustration. They can only be guesses and should be treated as such.

    IMO step one: RTFM

    Buellmods.com

    Diagnostic chart is in the back

  3. #3
    Senior Member Barrett's Avatar
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    Sir: your Ulysses running condition is actually quite typical for these abandoned orphans. and usually the result of 1 or more of the following situations:
    1-failing fuel pump/loss of pressure hastened by extended lack of usage
    2-fouled spark plugs
    3-failing grounds resulting from corrosion/loose attachments
    4-weak/failing battery with loose/corroded cable connections
    5-vermin who have either eaten thru wiring insulation....or nested up under the airbox assembly...or both

    as shaughn mentioned, download a free service manual @ buellmods....do some basic trouble-shooting on your own...and retrieve your historical fault codes. those are the key to the rough-running condition and why your CEL is active.
    and if you're in southern PA area, bring it by and i'll run the diagnostics for you on shop computer, free of charge.

  4. #4
    Senior Member 34nineteen's Avatar
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    OK, so unless you left out a bunch of details...

    1. You are running the bike on year and a half old gas (aka varnish and gum). Drain/flush/refill the tank with fresh gas.

    2. Since you ran the bike on old gas, you probably have varnish and gum inside the fuel filter and likely the fuel pump and injectors. The filter is cheap, less than $10. You will want to do a pressure test on the fuel pump to make sure adequate pressure is being supplied to the injectors and the injectors are not clogged or leaking. Do not just run some fuel system cleaner through it, as all it will do is flush all those contaminants to the injectors, and likely clog them if they arent already. If you have a weak fuel pump or just want to replace a 15+ year old pump that sat in old gas for a year and half, contact user "lunatic_fringe" for a replacement. Failing that, reach out to resident covered bridge decorator, and big game hunter "Barrett" for a QUALITY fuel pump kit. You can save a few bucks buying one from Amazon, but do you really want to do this twice?

    3. You need to do an oil change and filter change. Just because the bike has been sitting for a year and a half, who knows how old the oil and filter is. Oil breaks down and old oil may have broken down and now you have sludge and acids circulated around your motor. Drain the oil, change the filter. Flush the system with fresh oil and replace the filter and refill with fresh oil.

    3a. Don't forget to drain and refill the primary oil. I'd recommend pulling the cover off and flushing all the gunk out of the bottom of the case, as it can be circulated through your transmission. Just refill with HD Formula +. Once you have everything figured out and can insure it is working correctly, you can use LUCUS SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL in your primary or whatever snake oil your heart desires.

    4. You need to figure out what is going on with the check engine light. There is a procedure to perform in the service book, that only requires a small piece of wire. The most the most challenging part is downloading and reading the manual. Or you can purchase a Buelltooth module from Revision Moto and download ECMDroid on an Android device. Or take up resident Buell whisperer Barretts kind offer to scan for codes for you. Figuring out and resolving the issues causing these codes is another immediate and mandatory task.

    5. You want to check the date codes on the tires. Most recommend replacing the tires after about 5 years. All it takes is one blowout and all the work above could be for nothing, along with the last XX years of your life.

    6. Like Kwai Chang Caine aka Barrett recommended, replace the spark plugs and wires. They are likely original and pushing 15 years old.

    7. Change and flush the brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture out of the air. The moisture will damage internal brake components, and can boil when the bike is pushed hard or the wrong brake levers are installed on the bike. Unless you are into having your lever go suddenly to the bar when you need the brakes the most, spend the $10 and replace the fluid.

    8. I always take my new bikes to the coin op car wash with a bottle of degreaser and a scrub brush. This will help alert you to any leaks or other areas that require attention.
    Last edited by 34nineteen; 10-29-2020 at 03:22 PM.

  5. #5
    As mentioned above - it could have a bunch of liquid formerly known as gas in the tank. It may have 'soured', or at least lost the octane rating.

    Down here on the Redneck Riviera the alcohol-contaminated gasoline starts to break down in less than a month.

    Fresh (Premium) fuel, with a healthy dose of B-12 Chemtool Fuel Injector cleaner or Seafoam might make a big difference.

  6. #6
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    Sea Foam for the win

  7. #7
    Hey gang,

    Just wanted to say thank you, especially to Barrett, Cooter, and 34nineteen for your suggestions and input. That should give me plenty to chew on for the next couple of weeks while I try to give my Uly some much needed TLC.

    I'll try to post progress when I can.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Cooter's Avatar
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    Awesome. Do a little checking and post back here what you find. As you can see, theres some smart and helpful people here to guide you once you start

  9. #9
    UPDATE:

    So, in my big old box of spare parts I found the USB cable needed to interface with my ECU! The problem, is that upon booting ECMSpy I get an prompt asking if I have a host FTDI drivers installed. I apparently didn't, so I downloaded the appropriate drivers (For XP) and just don't know how to install them. Anyone else had this issue?

    Thanks!
    Last edited by Mr.Buell Man; 11-03-2020 at 10:26 PM.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Cooter's Avatar
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    If you are going to attack the ECM as the culprit, may I suggest the FREE download of ECMDroid (GooglePlay store). It uses a wireless bluetooth connection to your android device so its way easy (no driver BS). It is also a very simple program to use for diagnosis, datalogging, and swapping Fuel maps.

    I use the bluetooth dongle I got from Buelltooth.com (now rev-mo.com) and I like it.



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