fire in the muffler

[MMcc]

Went for a short ride today. Actually it was to be a longer ride but after about 5 miles the engine started to lose power. At first it sounded like a exhaust gasket leak not really a misfire. Pulled off the road to make a quick U turn to head back home. Engine stalled but no codes displayed. Turned the key off and then on and it started right up. Tried to accelerate but it would hardly go. Finely got it moving about 40 mph in 4th gear. Kept it running back to my driveway. When I shut it off it really stunk, then saw the saddle bag over the muffler was smoking:gaah: I quickly undid the straps and removed the right side bag from the bike. The rain cover on the bag was badly damaged, melted plastic and all that. Then I notice that there were flames coming out of the tailpipe. :gaah::gaah: I got the H*** away from the bike and just let it burn. The flames were not shooting out but were more like a bic lighter flame. This lasted about 30 seconds and then the flames died but the muffler continued to smoke for about 3 minutes but it seemed like forever. The rear stainless steel portion of the muffler has now turned a golden brown. Called the dealer and he said bring it right in. Winched it up on the trailer and off to the dealer. Tech quickly looked at it and after I described what happened he thought that a plug or plug wire had failed. Raw gas had been pumped into the exhaust system and ignited. He will start on it tomorrow. Told me I was lucky that the :spyder2: did not go up in flames. Now I will wait to hear about the damage.

 

[Big Arm]

Sorry to hear about this problem. Keep us posted opcorn:

 

[Schultzi]

Sorry tho hear!
What modell you're riding RT or RS? Stock exhaust?
Keep us posted

Went for a short ride today. Actually it was to be a longer ride but after about 5 miles the engine started to lose power. At first it sounded like a exhaust gasket leak not really a misfire. Pulled off the road to make a quick U turn to head back home. Engine stalled but no codes displayed. Turned the key off and then on and it started right up. Tried to accelerate but it would hardly go. Finely got it moving about 40 mph in 4th gear. Kept it running back to my driveway. When I shut it off it really stunk, then saw the saddle bag over the muffler was smoking:gaah: I quickly undid the straps and removed the right side bag from the bike. The rain cover on the bag was badly damaged, melted plastic and all that. Then I notice that there were flames coming out of the tailpipe. :gaah::gaah: I got the H*** away from the bike and just let it burn. The flames were not shooting out but were more like a bic lighter flame. This lasted about 30 seconds and then the flames died but the muffler continued to smoke for about 3 minutes but it seemed like forever. The rear stainless steel portion of the muffler has now turned a golden brown. Called the dealer and he said bring it right in. Winched it up on the trailer and off to the dealer. Tech quickly looked at it and after I described what happened he thought that a plug or plug wire had failed. Raw gas had been pumped into the exhaust system and ignited. He will start on it tomorrow. Told me I was lucky that the :spyder2: did not go up in flames. Now I will wait to hear about the damage.

 

[MMcc]

More information

2008 GS SE5. 76xx miles. Just had ABS sensor and reverse switch replace 2 weeks ago. Limp mode due to the ABS and it would not shift into reverse. I have not put much more than 50 miles on it since that work was done. I believe this is a completely different problem as the bike rode great when I got it back from the dealer. The exhaust is stock. I did fill up with 91 octane alcohol free gas on my last ride and had put about 10 miles on that tank of gas.

 

[jedd]

Sorry to hear, for sure un-spent fuel build up in pipe the cause is baffling, hope dealer figures it out soon for you.

Jim:thumbup:

 

[SethO]

man that sucks.

Hopefully vic can get you fixed up quick, i would spend the money and get a hindle from HH or get a different exhaust. that stock can is just problems.

I have a extra one if you need one and a few others if you are in a real bind.

 

[skeetshooter]

FIRE

Mine did the same thing on a trip to yellowstone.Front plug went bad replaced and and everything ran perfect.

 

[Campverdefela]

:shocked: Wow! Unbelievable

 

[ARtraveler]

Yeah! that's scarry. Kind of the way my bike was acting last week. Its in the shop today for some work and they are going to try to figure out what is going on.

 

[MMcc]

fire update

Dealer called so I went to look myself. It seems at some time they feel that a needle noses pliers or something was used to try to remove the rear plug wire. Anyhow the boot had a hole burned through it and shorting out to the engine. They also said that the plug was fouled due to just pumping gas into the cylinder. Not sure about that. I am having them replace both plug wires and installing the platinum/iridium plugs. Of course the wires will have to be ordered. Because they feel that the plug boot was damage from outside sources it will not be covered under warranty. They did not say if there was any damage to the exhaust system. Hopefully no, I think I will be looking at a $300 repair bill.

 

[WackyDan]

Dealer called so I went to look myself. It seems at some time they feel that a needle noses pliers or something was used to try to remove the rear plug wire. Anyhow the boot had a hole burned through it and shorting out to the engine. They also said that the plug was fouled due to just pumping gas into the cylinder. Not sure about that. I am having them replace both plug wires and installing the platinum/iridium plugs. Of course the wires will have to be ordered. Because they feel that the plug boot was damage from outside sources it will not be covered under warranty. They did not say if there was any damage to the exhaust system. Hopefully no, I think I will be looking at a $300 repair bill.

If you know for a fact that you never messed with the plug wires... then you better fight them on it. There have been a few reports here about plug wires arcing at the boot.

 

[RAL]

Dealer called so I went to look myself. It seems at some time they feel that a needle noses pliers or something was used to try to remove the rear plug wire. Anyhow the boot had a hole burned through it and shorting out to the engine. They also said that the plug was fouled due to just pumping gas into the cylinder. Not sure about that. I am having them replace both plug wires and installing the platinum/iridium plugs. Of course the wires will have to be ordered. Because they feel that the plug boot was damage from outside sources it will not be covered under warranty. They did not say if there was any damage to the exhaust system. Hopefully no, I think I will be looking at a $300 repair bill.

If you are the original owner and they have done your service, ask them why their tech used the wrong tool on your bike and damaged your plug boot :gaah:

RAL

 

[bruiser]

If you are the original owner and they have done your service, ask them why their tech used the wrong tool on your bike and damaged your plug boot :gaah:

RAL

''

:agree:I'd be doing a dance on someones head.

 

[boborgera]

Dealer called so I went to look myself. It seems at some time they feel that a needle noses pliers or something was used to try to remove the rear plug wire. Anyhow the boot had a hole burned through it and shorting out to the engine. They also said that the plug was fouled due to just pumping gas into the cylinder. Not sure about that. I am having them replace both plug wires and installing the platinum/iridium plugs. Of course the wires will have to be ordered. Because they feel that the plug boot was damage from outside sources it will not be covered under warranty. They did not say if there was any damage to the exhaust system. Hopefully no, I think I will be looking at a $300 repair bill.

Check the Federal emissions warranty in the manual that came with the Spyder
I had a wire go bad, They said i was past the warranty, So i paid for the wire just to get the repair done faster, Then i sent them a copy of the emissions law, Got my money back.:thumbup: