Common Dealer Set-Up Mistake?? Milage/Gas Smell

[- Tim -]

Another thread (about rear fender brackets) linked to this tips page from the Australian Spyder Ryders: http://www.spyderryders.net.au/tips.html

Just about at the bottom of the page is the following section about the Ambient Air Pressure/Temperature sensor and how it should be mounted as opposed to how it is shipped... apparently it is common for the dealer to miss during set-up. I see alot of posts about poor mileage and gas smell and thought it should be pointed out. It is said that someone who fixed this went from 30 to 40 mpg and the gas smell issue was fixed.

I do not own a Spyder yet, but am wondering if any of you have found this to be the case with your bike??

I pointed this out in the other thread as well... I apologize for the double post but this looked important enough to have a thread of its own. I hope I'm not repeating a previous topic...

Tim

Ambient air temp and pressure sensor not installed? This seems to relate only to Spyders assembled by Gold Coast Seadoo
In a recent post on Can Am Talk.com ," Beemerboy" says - "Do you smell a lot of gas fumes? poor gas milage? Dash air temp gauge read a lot higher than it is outside, and climbs real high in traffic? rough running in traffic? I sure did and fouled two spark plugs in 1200 miles. A 1 minute inspection needs to be done. Go to your bike right now, stand in front of, and looking at the hood, look into the front small air intake hole on left side, do you see a 10MM headed bolt holding a sensor or just a open slot? If not, your dealer did not unwrap the AAPTS (ambient air pressure and temp sensor) from around the frame and laying right on your coolant over flow bottle. This needed to be done when the trunk was installed at the dealer. He fixed his and now says "My bike went from 30mpg to over 40 , temp gauge seems accurate compared to bank sign temp, no more gas smell! Really smoothed out every thing, Easy low rpm control. SMOOTH SMOOTH SMOOTH"
In a post on Spydertalk.com,
(http://www.spydertalk.com/forums/ind...showtopic=8302) Tharkun#409 has pointed out that a few owners have learned that the AAPTS (ambient air pressure and temp sensor) was not installed during the PDI (product delivery)
When I (Martin) fitted my Evoluzione swaybar I discovered that mine also was never installed! It makes sense as my ambient air temperature reading was always miles too high. You can see it here cable tied to my frame as it came from the factory .

It should be fitted with a foam cover as below. If the AAPTS has been installed, you will be able to confirm it by looking at the lower air inlet below the headlight on the right side of your Spyder -right side when on the bike, left side facing the bike - if all you see is an empty mounting point (like below but without the sensor) then it has not been done.

The piece of foam that is intended to protect the tip of the sensor, the bolt and plastic nut that secures the senor to the Spyder are all included in the PDI kit which is shipped in the storage compartment.
The foam cap can be seen in the PDI kit on the right. Not sure where this is now!
Be aware and check yours.

[Firefly]

This was unfortunately somewhat common early on - at various dealers. Always good to check the dealer prep list yourself--- there's a copy floating around out here somewhere.....

[IWN2RYD]

We have always had a gas smell. Good to know. We will check this. Thank you for posting! I never would have known to even look for it

[- Tim -]

You're welcome, I hope it is helpful. I'm just a rookie doing as much reading as I can!

Tim

[fastfraser]

Someone gets over 40 MPG . That is the highest MPG I have herd of.

[groundeffect]

Someone gets over 40 MPG . That is the highest MPG I have herd of.

Wow, 40mpg would be very nice. I'm currently getting between 28-32mpg depending, of course on ryding conditions and type (city vs. highway etc...).


Cheers.

[bjt]

Like Firefly said, that was a problem in the spring / summer of 2008 when the first large group of Spyders were hitting the road. After it was noticed by a small but significant number of Spyder owners, I think BRP made certain that dealers knew about this sensor and installed it properly.

[groundeffect]

In fact that was one (of the many) items on my list to check once I took delivery. My dealer got the AAPTS installation right! As bjt mentioned, they correctly it soon after they noticed it happening.

A few of the other things I found, however:
1. Taillight wire chafting on the rear tire.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=17092


2. The 12V outlet was slightly off so I had to customize the hole in my trunk liner for it to fit correctly.



3. The oil was overfilled.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=17326


All of these things could have gone a very long time unchecked if was not deligant with checking things myself and learning more about my ryde in the process. I was happy I did these checks, on all counts.

Cheers and all the best.
hope this helps.
Cheers.

[pierrelogic]

I will be checking this today on my Ryde for sure. Got mine brand new and had the foam just sitting in the frunk still shrink wrapped on the paper. No other items...just the foam. I wondered what the hell that was...now I know. Thank you very much for point this out!!!

Yes, my outside temps run much higher than normal on the readout on the display. I guess I just got used to ignoring it. This could be the reason why.

Good research!

Another thread (about rear fender brackets) linked to this tips page from the Australian Spyder Ryders: http://www.spyderryders.net.au/tips.html

Just about at the bottom of the page is the following section about the Ambient Air Pressure/Temperature sensor and how it should be mounted as opposed to how it is shipped... apparently it is common for the dealer to miss during set-up. I see alot of posts about poor mileage and gas smell and thought it should be pointed out. It is said that someone who fixed this went from 30 to 40 mpg and the gas smell issue was fixed.

I do not own a Spyder yet, but am wondering if any of you have found this to be the case with your bike??

I pointed this out in the other thread as well... I apologize for the double post but this looked important enough to have a thread of its own. I hope I'm not repeating a previous topic...

Tim

Ambient air temp and pressure sensor not installed? This seems to relate only to Spyders assembled by Gold Coast Seadoo
In a recent post on Can Am Talk.com ," Beemerboy" says - "Do you smell a lot of gas fumes? poor gas milage? Dash air temp gauge read a lot higher than it is outside, and climbs real high in traffic? rough running in traffic? I sure did and fouled two spark plugs in 1200 miles. A 1 minute inspection needs to be done. Go to your bike right now, stand in front of, and looking at the hood, look into the front small air intake hole on left side, do you see a 10MM headed bolt holding a sensor or just a open slot? If not, your dealer did not unwrap the AAPTS (ambient air pressure and temp sensor) from around the frame and laying right on your coolant over flow bottle. This needed to be done when the trunk was installed at the dealer. He fixed his and now says "My bike went from 30mpg to over 40 , temp gauge seems accurate compared to bank sign temp, no more gas smell! Really smoothed out every thing, Easy low rpm control. SMOOTH SMOOTH SMOOTH"
In a post on Spydertalk.com,
(http://www.spydertalk.com/forums/ind...showtopic=8302) Tharkun#409 has pointed out that a few owners have learned that the AAPTS (ambient air pressure and temp sensor) was not installed during the PDI (product delivery)
When I (Martin) fitted my Evoluzione swaybar I discovered that mine also was never installed! It makes sense as my ambient air temperature reading was always miles too high. You can see it here cable tied to my frame as it came from the factory .

It should be fitted with a foam cover as below. If the AAPTS has been installed, you will be able to confirm it by looking at the lower air inlet below the headlight on the right side of your Spyder -right side when on the bike, left side facing the bike - if all you see is an empty mounting point (like below but without the sensor) then it has not been done.

The piece of foam that is intended to protect the tip of the sensor, the bolt and plastic nut that secures the senor to the Spyder are all included in the PDI kit which is shipped in the storage compartment.
The foam cap can be seen in the PDI kit on the right. Not sure where this is now!
Be aware and check yours.

[Firefly]

Someone gets over 40 MPG . That is the highest MPG I have herd of.

I'm not buying it. Maybe downhill with a monsoon behind you....

[boborgera]

I'm not buying it. Maybe downhill with a monsoon behind you....

Any thing is possible ,but 40

[Dragonrider]

I was delighted to get mine back to 28. The only time I have ever seen higher than that, was when I pushed it with the engine off....

[pierrelogic]

Well I'll be dipped in butter...

Mine was not installed. Hey, wasn't that long ago I had all the tupperware off the left side of the Spyder for the oil change...now I have an excuse to take off the other side and the frunk.

You know, working on these Spyders really is fairly easy. I'm no mechanic but I can tear things apart and put them back together with the best of 'em. Besides, gives me a perfect oppotunity to check things out all over the place.

As far as the dealer not putting it on, hey..crap happens. I did call them and they said well...if could be the sensor was not installed. Which I came right back and said I'm not voiding any warranty by checking things out myself and they laughed and so no way...go for it. I'm not that overly concerned about it because quite frankly, it can be rectified in a snap. Should be interesting once it's properly installed how it changes things. I will bet the temperature indicator is better...but I'm a bit skeptical about an increase in MPG by ten. Right now I've established a consistent 30-31 MPG and no gas smell before putting the senosr where it belongs.

I'll report back my findings.

[Yazz]

My ambient air sensor was not reinstalled in the nose. Don't have nut-plates laying around and needed the foam cushion so took it to a different dealer than I bought Spydee from. (If they didn't get it right the first time would you trust them again?) They relocated the sensor but have been waiting over three months for the foam padding.

[bone crusher]

I'm not buying it. Maybe downhill with a monsoon behind you....

Yeah, no way over 40 unless you only go down hill and aren't in any gear (just in neutral)...

[BajaRon]

My ambient air sensor was not reinstalled in the nose. Don't have nut-plates laying around and needed the foam cushion so took it to a different dealer than I bought Spydee from. (If they didn't get it right the first time would you trust them again?) They relocated the sensor but have been waiting over three months for the foam padding.

The foam padding is generic and there are plenty of reasonable (and redily available) alternatives. It's not like the piece you will get will say BRP on it or anything.

I think the ambient air temp sensor (and other items) not being properly located in the setup proceedure was common if not epidemic in the early days. Both Lamont's and my Spyder had more than one piece that we had to relocate.

They were set up by the same Florida dealer about 2 months apart. But as others have said, I think it is probably rare these days.

[boborgera]

The foam padding is generic and there are plenty of reasonable (and redily available) alternatives. It's not like the piece you will get will say BRP on it or anything.

Amost any foam will work. I'll bet most people will find some under their kitchen sink.

[NancysToy]

Amost any foam will work. I'll bet most people will find some under their kitchen sink.

A coarse, open-cell foam will work best. The others would insulate a bit too much to respond as quickly.

[BajaRon]

A coarse, open-cell foam will work best. The others would insulate a bit too much to respond as quickly.

I don't think that sensor samples very often. At least it doesn't register temperature changes very quickly. My guess is every 90-120 seconds.

It also appears as if the maximum change per sample is +/- 2 degrees. In other words, if the temperature suddenly changes 10 degrees the dash readout would change 2 degrees after some time (depending on when in the sample cycle you start), then wait another 2 minutes or so and change another 2 degrees, etc.

They say air temperature has to change about 2 degrees for a person to notice the difference. Don't know if that is true but I've ridden in the mountains where hills and valleys have very obvious temperature swings and my Spyder temp reading just sits there like nothing happened unless the temperature changes for a fairly long period of time.

[pierrelogic]

Torn open the Spyder for a closer look. The sensor was in fact installed...just not where the pictures already posted indicated. Those pix were showing it to be installed on the right side near the frunk. Mine was not installed there at all. Also, those pix looked a little different than my RS. Perhaps the RT models have the sensor installed a different place than the RS? Only thing I could surmise. The dead giveaway was the extra lights (fog lights?) that were right there in the pictures, the plastic cowling was not exactly like mine and there was no bolt hole for securing the sensor.

See below for a photo's. Mine was installed near the top of the frunk latch...go figure?

Before


Closeup and rotated view


After foam installed

[Malathion]

If the Aussie gallon is an imperial gallon it will be about 20% larger than an American gallon. 32 +20% is about 38.6 , now throw in wide open country, I think most of you can do it.

[ARtraveler]

If the Aussie gallon is an imperial gallon it will be about 20% larger than an American gallon. 32 +20% is about 38.6 , now throw in wide open country, I think most of you can do it.

This thread dates back to 2010. 2014 and the 1330 three cylinder solved the mpg issue. We get 39-41 average.

Dealer prep is also much better these days--but glitches do pop up from time to time.

[pitzerwm]

This thread dates back to 2010. 2014 and the 1330 three cylinder solved the mpg issue. We get 39-41 average.

Dealer prep is also much better these days--but glitches do pop up from time to time.

I usually get 30, 2 up, city or highway. A couple times 34.

[ARtraveler]

I usually get 30, 2 up, city or highway. A couple times 34.

Interesting. We usually get 30 - 31 on our 2011 with the 998 two cylinder, but 40 ish is the norm on our 1330 three cylinder. Ours is all one up riding with mostly highway and country roads.

[Bob Denman]

Everybody's right wrist can dance a different tune with the Loud Grip...
Lower your rpm levels and cruising speeds, and your mileage will climb.