Engine miss

Changed oil in my Silverwing today, then later was going to go for a ride with the girlfriend, she rides a Reflex. I needed fuel before going on a ride, and as I was pulling up to the gas station it seemed to be running rough. Went I got to the fuel pump it would only idle at about 500 rpm. I revved it a few times, and the engine was definitely missing on one cylinder. I shut it off, fueled up, re-started it it ran perfect again. I told the gf we might as well go for our ride, if it broke down we'd just have to double up on the Reflex and get the trailer and haul it home. Went for about 130 miles and it never missed a beat. Anyone have any ideas? It's a 2002 with 3250 miles. It shouldn't have been low on fuel, since it was at three bars and I've had it lower than that. I was wondering if one injector got plugged slightly and cleaned itself out or something.

Rog_DL wrote:

I was wondering if one injector got plugged slightly and cleaned itself out or something.

Or poor quality fuel?

Just a thought, it might be a little water in the bottom of your gas tank. Run a little SeaFoam gas treatment in the next few tanks and see if it clears it up. Good idea to run a little gas treatment every once in a while. You can find SeaFoam it at Wal-Mart.

I usually do run a little Seafoam in it, but I haven't for the last couple tanks. I will add some to it now though. I buy non-ethanol Shell gas at the local station, so if their tanks are clean I shouldn't have problems with water, though "shouldn't" doesn't quite mean the same thing as "won't"!

2002 with 3000 miles.....plain English, doesn't get ridden enough.

Probably old gas/water/crud. If ran for trip, probably ok. At least park with a little Stabul in gas.

John Grinsel

When she was running on 1 cylinder, it's not a fuel problem.

Injector??... Injectors are very reliable;
Dirt in one injector?
Maybe..maybe...????

Question..

Was there maintenance/ work on the scooter in the recent past?

Check also your contacts/terminals on the spark plugs.

eddy wrote:

When she was running on 1 cylinder, it's not a fuel problem.

Injector??... Injectors are very reliable;
Dirt in one injector?
Maybe..maybe...????

Question..

Was there maintenance/ work on the scooter in the recent past?

Check also your contacts/terminals on the spark plugs.

The only maintenance done recently was that I had just changed the oil. Other than that I don't think anything has ever been done to this scooter, I bought it last fall with about 1700 miles on it, so even though it's a 2002 it was basically new. The recalls for the rear rim and center stand hadn't even been done, I had to get with the dealership and have them done.

john grinsel wrote:

2002 with 3000 miles.....plain English, doesn't get ridden enough.

Probably old gas/water/crud. If ran for trip, probably ok. At least park with a little Stabul in gas.

John Grinsel

I have to agree that it hasn't been ridden enough, but in the winter I do put in plenty of Seafoam and leave the tank full of non-ethanol fuel. Also, I have gone through a few tanks this year already without it missing once. That said, I think water can get into fuel anytime, whether from the gas station fuel pump or condensation in the tank. rode it again tonight and it didn't miss a beat again. Just think it was a freak thing.