engine hunting GL1800

[collinsa]

Removed the engine to replace a noisy gearbox main shaft bearing and clutch replacement
Engine starts but will not idle and is "hunting"
No adjustments have been made to the throttle body
Plugs are all evenly fouled with carbon like the engine is running rich
each cylinder pressure is 185psi on average
Decent spark on all plug leads
I am quite sure all plugs are in correct sockets and hoses are connected correctly

am at a loss and so is the Honda mechanic

any suggestions will be gratefully accepted before I remove the engine again and go back to square one to see if I have missed anything underneath the inlet manifold

[mcbrown]

Hi collinsa,
Have you tried recalibrating the ECM. You do this by starting the engine cold without touching the throttle at all (turn on the ignition and hit the starter button) and let it idle (assuming yours will idle by itself) until the fans kick in. With the current cold weather we are experiencing it could take 10 - 15 minutes for that to happen. Then turn off the ignition and then restart and the ECM should have reset itself.

Don't know if this will help but give it a try and see what happens.

I notice you also live in Perth Western Australia.

Murray

[collinsa]

G'day fellow Sandgroper

Problem is that the bike will not idle on its own - needs to be raving at at least 2000rpm to keep running

Have decided to remove engine again and double check everything, make sure pipes are clear and all connected, sensors are clean etc

I used a top end cleaner and let it soak in for a few days and I think the result is a dirty sensor somewhere

Problem is that to get to some sensors the easiest way is with the engine out of the frame

I will follow you suggestion and let it idle after starting - if I can get it to idle

Will let you know if I am successful

[mcbrown]

I made the mistake of filling up with E10 fuel one day and found the engine would not idle when I arrived home. The bike definitely had more power.
When I did some research on the E10 alcohol fuels I found that there were a few negatives in the use of these fuels so I decided to let the engine cool overnight and reset the ECM as I stated in my above post. The next morning I did the reset as the engine would idle fast due to the cold morning and after that the idle was back to normal. I rode to Bunbury and back and around Perth until I had used most of the E10 fuel and then filled up with 98 octane and the next morning reset the ECM again and its been okay ever since.

My 2010 Goldwing used to do that hunting at idle right from when I bought it new and when I spoke to the dealer he said that's what they do. I have found it doesn't do it very often now (51,000kms) and if it does, its usually when it gets hot in the summertime or stuck in traffic. I usually do an ECM reset if it starts to do it too often and I find it does help.

Murray

[collinsa]

Problem solved
Removed engine again and found slight air leak in inlet manifold and one dirty fuel injector.
The combination was flooding the engine and confusing the ECM
Cleaned everything thoroughly, applied sealant to manifold gasket and had she who must be obeyed say a few stern words to the bike and it started first try and ran as sweet as a nut.

GIven the amount of crud I found in the inlet manifolds when I first dismantled the engine I will only be using 95 octane from now on

All back together on on the road

One very happy chappy.

[joeincalif]

Given the amount of crud I found in the inlet manifolds when I first dismantled the engine I will only be using 95 octane from now on
You might try using a better brand of gas. Using a higher octane is only a waste of money and can harm you motor in the long run. Lots of information on the myth of using 921 or 93 instead of 97 or 89. It's a ploy by the gas companies to get you to spend more. Run in your vehicle what the manufacturer calls for.


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