MISSING OR SKIPPING

[JKMSPYDER]

I have a friend that bought a used 2014 RT SM6 in the spring with 6000 miles on it. He has put about 250 miles on it so far. He started it up several days ago and it started missing or skipping at idle. When he revs it up to 2000 rpm or more, it smooths out. It won't die at idle but does the missing, skipping sound. He did check for bad gas and the gas is fine. Battery checks out OK, too. Any ideas?

 

[canamjhb]

Been in storage way too much. Get it on the road and do a 70MPH tune up..... Jim

 

[Chupaca]

Little checking.....

:agree: give it a good run but start by checking the air intake possibly the fuel filter but does sound like what he said....:thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have a friend that bought a used 2014 RT SM6 in the spring with 6000 miles on it. He has put about 250 miles on it so far. He started it up several days ago and it started missing or skipping at idle. When he revs it up to 2000 rpm or more, it smooths out. It won't die at idle but does the missing, skipping sound. He did check for bad gas and the gas is fine. Battery checks out OK, too. Any ideas?

" He did check for Bad gas " ….. how was this accomplished ???? ………….. very Old gas will loose it's Octane rating / level etc. ….. but I don't think it will get low enough in 6 mos. to cause this ………….. Have Him check the battery connections for tightness ….. Have Him re-move the terminals clean and put Internal tooth STAR washers on before re-assembling …. 24 hrs on a Battery MAINTAINER won't hurt either ….. Mike :thumbup:

 

[GOZFST]

Make sure some critter hasn't made a home in the air box.

 

[ofdave]

Jim is right
it needs to be ridden, maybe a shot of SeaFoam and then a good long ride.
Starting in the garage doesn't do much.

 

[youngers]

if this problem still exist , after a good running , and higher octane gas added , you might be in for new plugs , and possibly the vacuum lines from the throttle body ... ( those little ones ,about 3 inches long ---2 of them ... ) his might be just enough worn on the ends at the connections too let air pass ... ( just a thought , hope just running her out in the wide open highway will do it :yes: )

 

[Jarred]

I’m not sure about the 2014 RT’s but when I had some problems w my 2018 RT, first thing everyone told me to do was check the oil. Not sure if this applies to this situation however that was the advice I was given, I didn’t see it mentioned above so thought I’d throw it in the ring.
Also, when I was at my dealer there was a customer complaining about the same thing on his Ninja. Long story short, he was using lowest octane gas and wasn’t riding much. Dealer told him to use highest octane. They were so certain of that, they didn’t even charge him for looking at it. High octane is the way to go.
Last thing-my boat mechanic told me that gas companies change the gas this time of year (due to weather). Gasoline is “better” during the summer months and worse for boats this time of year. From the year 2000 to about 2005 I’d fill my boat gas tank up before storage (to prevent moisture build up). But for the past few years I was told it’s better to run the boat till empty (or close to it) before taking it out of the water for storage.
Maybe start by using battery tender, topping off w some new, 91-93 octane gas w some Seafoam, go for a good, hard ride. Then check oil after the ride. If that doesn’t work, do the more labor intensive advice mentioned above (plugs,filters,vacuum lines etc). I’ve also read on this forum that it’s not good for Spyders to just start them during the winter, without going for a ride.
Good luck, pls report back after trying all the advice from everyone above my post. Would be good to know what fixes it.

 

[JKMSPYDER]

My friend did siphon all the gas out and filled with fresh gas. I will ask him what octane gas he used. Will also have him tighten battery terminals and check the oil. Do the 1330 engines use the same vacuum hoses as the 998’s?

 

[tibadoe]

I would be leaning towards moisture in the fuel. Like others have said, fill with fresh fuel and some fuel treatment and take for a good ride.

 

[Mikey]

I have had good luck with sea-foam, drop a can of it in, will not hurt and run it down the road! Good luck, you can not let this gas we are getting sit around.

 

[spyder01]

You didn't mention if the check engine lite was on,if it was this may point to the problem.If the engine is truly misfiring then the lite will come on.If its just a rough idle then I agree with others that say ,seafoam and drive thru that tank and refill.I doubt that sitting for 6 months will cause the gas to go bad but I had a similar problem with my boat when the gas was 2 years old and seafoam fixed that.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

The 1330 engine does not have the vacuum hoses like the 998 v-twin

 

[Easy Rider]

He did check for bad gas and the gas is fine.

How do you "check for bad gas" ??

My friend did siphon all the gas out and filled with fresh gas.

It is almost impossible to get ALL of the gas out of a tank by siphoning. There may still be "stuff" left in the bottom.

I suggest a healthy dose of a name brand multi-purpose fuel system cleaner first.
Might be something in there that his "check" missed......or an injector might be sticking.

OR he might just have too much of some gas additive in there already. Mine did that when I had too much fuel stabilizer in it.

 

[Easy Rider]

I have had good luck with sea-foam, drop a can of it in, will not hurt and run it down the road!

:gaah:
A can of SeaFoam is intended to be used in a minimum of about 15 gallons of gas......so a whole can in a Spyder is way too much.
And too much can MAKE it run bad sometimes.