Converting a 2013rt to a 2014rt

[Bob Denman]

93 octane duel shouldn't be the source of any problems... UNLESS there's an unknown quality issue. :shocked:
At worst; I'd think that the computers would just "dial back" the timing to prevent pre-ignition... That's if the octane wasn't high enough.
I don't see any workable way to move the Vee-Twin's pipes out from under the Tupperware. I honestly feel that's the major source of heat that needs addressing...
CuznJohn's bike; with all of his additional venting that he's added, may point to the best solution.
But we need some riding weather up here in order to prove his genius! :thumbup:

 

[jcthorne]

While ALL 2013s have excessive heat under the Tupperware, it seems only a few actually run hot. As in water jacket temp goes high enough to set a check engine light and go into limp mode.

At this point, I think the under Tupperware heat is solvable. The running hot is in the cooling loop somewhere but not so easy to find. If I was looking to buy a 2013 (and we are for my wife) I would have the engine heat demonstrated before taking delivery. 45 minutes at idle without bike movement should do the trick. It will either heat up or not.

I personally think the 2013s, for the near future anyway, will turn out to be real bargains. $10k less than a 14.

I admit if the 14s were available in blue, I might have gone that route. But, at least for the moment I am finally enjoying riding my 13. So much so the wife is now seriously considering parting with her Harley for one.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've given a fair amount of what passes for "thought" to this... pps:
BRP's hoses and vacuum lines seems to be suspect... they deteriorate quickly!
Could we have a leaky line that's causing a lean condition?
That would heat things up... :shocked:

 

[frenchek]

2013

it is a real shame that 2013's have gotten such terrible press. there are many that do not have the heat issue, mine included, and they are great machines. why in the world doesn't BRP step up and do something about the problem, or at least publicly let people know they are working on the issue. I'm sure there are people with these HOT machines that just can't trade off because of fixed incomes. c'mon BRP, at least step up and say something !!

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: But they have; and they're looking at even more... :thumbup:

 

[JkRbbt]

:shocked: But they have; and they're looking at even more... :thumbup:

They have for the 2014. Band-aid, at best, for the 2013 problems.

 

[stewartj239]

If I was looking to buy a 2013 (and we are for my wife) I would have the engine heat demonstrated before taking delivery. 45 minutes at idle without bike movement should do the trick. It will either heat up or not.

I think you have nailed it right there. This is awesome advice for anyone looking to buy a 2013. You'll know whether you've got a problem child or not before you lay out the cash.

 

[Questions]

EXHAUST HEAT

Has anyone tried wraping the exhaust with heat wrap to bring down temperatures?

 

[frenchek]

doing something

:shocked: But they have; and they're looking at even more... :thumbup:

exactly what has brp publicly said about the heat issue in the 2013?
what have they said about the action they may take ?
everything that has been said about the issue is from members postings saying that they talked to brp.
has the gentleman that posts on here from brp ever come on here and admitted there is a problem and they are working on it--NO.

if your wondering why I care about the heat issue,when I don,t have one---because like every other 2013 owner, my roadster takes the hit at trade in time-either now or three years from now.

 

[Bob Denman]

PM him, and see what he says...
Then, report back to the gang! :thumbup:

 

[frenchek]

pm him

PM him, and see what he says...
Then, report back to the gang! :thumbup:

I have no desire to pm him--that would be just like the other members who have reported talking to brp and brp said.....
brp or a representative needs to come on here and say whats what--that yes they have a problem-and yes they are going to fix it, I think with all the speculation, good and bad about the issue, that they would want to address the issue---doing or saying nothing just causes more anx and more speculation.

ok, enough ranting from a old man

 

[cuznjohn]

today

I have no desire to pm him--that would be just like the other members who have reported talking to brp and brp said.....
brp or a representative needs to come on here and say whats what--that yes they have a problem-and yes they are going to fix it, I think with all the speculation, good and bad about the issue, that they would want to address the issue---doing or saying nothing just causes more anx and more speculation.

ok, enough ranting from a old man

today i wrote to steve from BRP and told him that i let him alone during the winter and the release of the 14's, so now i would like to know what's going on with the 13's and that people on the forum are also asking why BRP has not posted anything about the 13's on the forum. so if you get the answer to my question let me know because he did not get back to me yet

 

[Ramjet]

Lets see things that effect heat output of and engine;

Ambient temperature.
HP going to waste.
Friction (maybe synthetic vs standard oil)
Drag due to poor setup and drag based on poor alignment?
Lean running engines with restrictive air flow?
Driving styles?
Engine or drive train defect?

They keep track and should be looking at serial number ranges to continua this and try and identify any potential reasons related to Mfg date or raw materials.

Simply a function of cost if 5% of the customers complain it is less expensive to say good bays to those 5% than fixing with major renovations all the 2013 machines or worse yet open up a "can of worms" by admitting a problem. Again very costly.

I am taking things into my own hands and really do not see real bad issue excpet roasting my right foot.

But I am doing the following;

CAT gone.

Heat wrap the pipes past the CAT Y.

Aftermarket Exhaust Two Bros and their fuel management system with 5 maps based on the setup I end up with.

Kewl Metal Air box and filter. The two above to allow that motor to move more air in and out and run a little richer and cooler. Mid range performance concentrated.

High temp insulation on the fuel tank and the recall provided protection for the brake cylinder.

I am also looking at higher cooling capacity radiator made from a higher heat draw material and higher BTU rating per cubic foot of air. Slightly thicker but dissipation is much higher so is the flow capacity.

One other thing I am looking into is fan for drawing air out of the tupperware thermostatically controlled. This will be an option of the other steps do not work.

I will be spending about $1700.00 yup ticks me off but I am not going to take hit on 2013 machine I just got. All the above also will give ma little better engine performance so its not all for the cooling but that certainly will be a benefit.


Feedback appreciated.

 

[jcthorne]

Has anyone tried wraping the exhaust with heat wrap to bring down temperatures?

Yes. It works wonders to remove heat from under the Tupperware. I never had an engine overheating problem, I had a heat on the gas tank causes bad fumes problem.

 

[frenchek]

ramjet

I certainly give you credit for all the things that you have done to improve your roadster. I,too have done a few mods to cool my machine for the sake of longevity to the "innards". not that I am a crusader, but what about the older person or mechanically challegened person who can't do that stuff ? no, your not going to take a "hit" on it now--but in time, all 2013 owners who want to trade are going to be affected. I really think that brp has a responsibility to the consumer who has shelled out the $

 

[stewartj239]

Has anyone tried wraping the exhaust with heat wrap to bring down temperatures?

Yes, many have done this with excellent results. Just do a search on the forum and you'll see all of the testimonials. Another great option is to get the headers ceramic coated. That is claimed to reduce the emitted heat by 50%.

 

[stewartj239]

I am taking things into my own hands and really do not see real bad issue excpet roasting my right foot.

But I am doing the following;

CAT gone.

Heat wrap the pipes past the CAT Y.

Aftermarket Exhaust Two Bros and their fuel management system with 5 maps based on the setup I end up with.

Kewl Metal Air box and filter. The two above to allow that motor to move more air in and out and run a little richer and cooler. Mid range performance concentrated.

High temp insulation on the fuel tank and the recall provided protection for the brake cylinder.

Feedback appreciated.

I applaud you for taking the initiative to make things better. I am in the midst of performing all of the mods you've listed above and even a few more. Putting money into a new bike to make it right is not unique to the Spyder. I've had to do this with every 2-wheeler that I've owned. They typically are tuned to meet emissions - which many times causes them to run hot (lean).

 

[Ramjet]

I certainly give you credit for all the things that you have done to improve your roadster. I,too have done a few mods to cool my machine for the sake of longevity to the "innards". not that I am a crusader, but what about the older person or mechanically challegened person who can't do that stuff ? no, your not going to take a "hit" on it now--but in time, all 2013 owners who want to trade are going to be affected. I really think that brp has a responsibility to the consumer who has shelled out the $

I agree fully and understand why folks are ticked off I am too but unless all are willing to file class action law suit then you have to wait for Can-Am to either do nothing or do something so depend what your level of tolerance is.

Me I am going to solve the issue myself it must be the engineer in me. I am also impatient.

If Can-Am was really "resolving" this wouldn't they be inquiring and communicating with those who have heat issues and would they not at the very least put out a questionnaire to those affected negatively by the issues? How about asking the dealers? Well they have not had any communication with the 3 dealers I talked to. So the approach is the ostrich approach i.e. Head in the sand.

Unless they are aggressively testing and cannot duplicate the issue?

 

[Magdave]

Went for ride today not too far in 60deg temps. Came home parked it and it started dripping gas again. I got a parking mat full of drips. Flamingobabe has reported on another thread her ST MC has melted even AFTER the recall and lots of work her husband has done trying to solve the heat issue. I am going on another ride tomorrow, a little longer, and see what happens. It also reved and stalled on me after the second restart (no codes) today. That is something new :banghead: I have contacted Steve and the home office. Customer service or even answering a question gets the pat "see your dealer" answer. As if they have a clue....

This is what FB posted
"2013 owners beware. I've had my bike at dealer since Dec. I had the recall done in Sept when I bought bike bit brp put another recall for the same problem. The first fix wasn't good enough. I now have melted parts they have to replace. The second recall is for a plate to be installed. Just warning if u only had the one recall done it's still not safe. Brakes can go out and parts can melt. Sigh
This is the original poster on GOS....my guess is that the first recall had a plate...sort of...it was not tall enough...on mine we designed a larger plate and cut off the OEM plate..this is getting dangerous"

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: I'm sorry to hear that the troubles appear to be ongoing...
Where is the fuel dripping from? :dontknow: