So I was riding home from Spyders in the Redwoods, it was about 95 degrees out, and we were on Highway 1 between Leggett (101) and the coast (near Ft Bragg). I was forced to pull over when the Spyder decided to overheat. I got a high-temp code, the gauge was full on hot, and it was in limp home mode.
Once I was able to find a spot to pull off safely, I shut it down to let it cool and Geoff pulled up on the RT behind me. A few moments later when I wasn't looking Geoff said "your Spyder is on fire"
I turned around and saw this and just had to take a picture.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
My best guess was fuel blow-by into the exhaust system. It was backfiring and must have ignited.
As far as the over-heating issue, I don't know. I checked the coolant and it was low, but no sign of a leak. I am hoping I didn't damage the head gasket. I will know when I do my oil change.
I had some bottled water, I topped off the coolant tank and was able to get her home. It helped that it was 30 degrees cooler on the coast.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
I had a similar fire in my 2008 GS. One plug wire failed just above the plug boot. Started to lose power, temp started to rise then a backfire and limp mode. Pulled to the side of the road and when I shut it down I watched as fire shot out of the muffler. Burned for about 30 seconds and then went out. I did not have any extinguisher so just stood back. After letting it cool I started it up and running on one cylinder. Limped the final few miles home. Check the plug wires.
I had a similar fire in my 2008 GS. One plug wire failed just above the plug boot. Started to lose power, temp started to rise then a backfire and limp mode. Pulled to the side of the road and when I shut it down I watched as fire shot out of the muffler. Burned for about 30 seconds and then went out. I did not have any extinguisher so just stood back. After letting it cool I started it up and running on one cylinder. Limped the final few miles home. Check the plug wires.
-Scotty 2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine) 2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes 2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder
I had a similar fire in my 2008 GS. One plug wire failed just above the plug boot. Started to lose power, temp started to rise then a backfire and limp mode. Pulled to the side of the road and when I shut it down I watched as fire shot out of the muffler. Burned for about 30 seconds and then went out. I did not have any extinguisher so just stood back. After letting it cool I started it up and running on one cylinder. Limped the final few miles home. Check the plug wires.
Plug wires are brand new. I bought them from Ron a few months ago.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
Plug wires are brand new. I bought them from Ron a few months ago.
I'd check them and the plugs anyway, but it may be a difficulty with the coil or ECM in that case. ...possibly heat-related? Ignition woes are almost always the root cause of unburned fuel in the exhaust on fuel injected vehicles.
-Scotty 2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine) 2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes 2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder
I'd check them and the plugs anyway, but it may be a difficulty with the coil or ECM in that case. ...possibly heat-related? Ignition woes are almost always the root cause of unburned fuel in the exhaust on fuel injected vehicles.
I will check them and the coil. I was thinking that I need a EFI controller for my HMF pipe.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
I will check them and the coil. I was thinking that I need a EFI controller for my HMF pipe.
I's possible, but not common. If the fuel mixure is so lean that it won't fire in the cylinder, fuel can collect in the pipes. I'd look for other causes first, unless a change in weather brings a dramatic improvement. Just remember, new wires can be bad (not likely), vibrated loose, or arcing to the head or engine. Normally, reading the plugs is the first step in troubleshooting, but it is a royal pain on a Spyder. You are good at this stuff, I'm sure you'll find the culprit(s) in short order.
-Scotty 2011 Spyder RTS-SM5 (mine) 2000 BMW R1100RTP, motorized tricycle & 23 vintage bikes 2011 RT-622 trailer, Aspen Sentry popup camper, custom motorcycle trailer to pull behind the Spyder
I's possible, but not common. If the fuel mixure is so lean that it won't fire in the cylinder, fuel can collect in the pipes. I'd look for other causes first, unless a change in weather brings a dramatic improvement. Just remember, new wires can be bad (not likely), vibrated loose, or arcing to the head or engine. Normally, reading the plugs is the first step in troubleshooting, but it is a royal pain on a Spyder. You are good at this stuff, I'm sure you'll find the culprit(s) in short order.
I'm sure I'll track it down. I'll report back once I am able to investigate further.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
Sorry about your problem.. but glad it didn't totally go up in flames!
Spyder #1 - 2008 GS SM5 Premier Edition #1977. RIP after 80,000 miles.
Spyder #2 - 2012 RT SM5. Traded in after 24,000 miles.
Spyder #3 - 2015 F3 SM6. Put 13,000 miles on and sold it.
Spyder #4 - 2017 F3 SM6. Too good of a deal to pass up!
Sorry about your problem.. but glad it didn't totally go up in flames!
For real!!!
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
I suppose that if you take the viewpoint that, "it could have been a heckuva lot worse!"; then it makes it easier to sit down and figure out what caused this informal marshmallow roast to occur...
Good luck, and we're all hoping that it's nothing serious and can be fixed easily!
Does ATGATT include fireproof britches?
I suppose that if you take the viewpoint that, "it could have been a heckuva lot worse!"; then it makes it easier to sit down and figure out what caused this informal marshmallow roast to occur...
Good luck, and we're all hoping that it's nothing serious and can be fixed easily!
Does ATGATT include fireproof britches?
It should on the RS with all the heat on the right side. I told our local BRP rep that they need to make pants with a built in heat shield on the right pant leg.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
Sorry... I've got to say it...
Perhaps a fireproof bikini??? I feel so ashamed...
Hey now... I've seen Geoff in a bikini..... and it was NOT a pretty sight!
Spyder #1 - 2008 GS SM5 Premier Edition #1977. RIP after 80,000 miles.
Spyder #2 - 2012 RT SM5. Traded in after 24,000 miles.
Spyder #3 - 2015 F3 SM6. Put 13,000 miles on and sold it.
Spyder #4 - 2017 F3 SM6. Too good of a deal to pass up!
Hey now... I've seen Geoff in a bikini..... and it was NOT a pretty sight!
Hmmm, that's interesting.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6
I have seen Geoff fully dressed, and that is not a pretty sight
Geoff is sitting here wondering how he got dragged (in drag) into this.
We are a happy THREE Spyder family!
My Rides: 2008 Quantum Blue Premier Edition Spyder GS SM5 (#1344)
2015 Pearl White / Red Can-Am Spyder F3-S SM6
2016 Intense Pearl Red Can-Am Spyder F3-T SE6
2019 Chevrolet Volt (ER-EV)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Sport X 4.0L I-6