Some New Concerns

[Sunshyn]

I have two new concerns about my Spyder. First, this has been occuring for quite a while, but it is now getting worse. It started out with backfiring and now it is not doing that, but it is running really ragged and completely dying. It starts back up, but should it do that? The missing is constant until I go fast enough that it seems to smooth out, but I can feel that it is not. I was told that my Hindle is causing it, but I wonder about that. Second, from day one I've heard a faint squeel that some can hear and some not. I decided it was a brake squeel getting worse, and then figured out how to remedy it. However, I heard it loud and clear when I pushed the Spyder backward and forward. I kept pushing it again and again, trying to decide the exact source. Does anyone have any recommendations for these new problems I have. Sandy

 

[trxrspyder]

this may help the poor running condition: can-am o2 modifier kit

http://www.evoluzione.net/evo-cycle-can-am.htm

and did you check your parking brake adjustment and see if that helps your squeal?

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

Have you checked your exhaust gaskets? My '09 GS was backfiring almost every few times I slowed down and the idle was getting ruff. I changed the gaskets with the ones for a GW and after 3 hours of riding not one backfire and now it idles much better hyea:. Your Hindle may just add to the problem a little. Good luck finding the root cause!

 

[COOLMACHINE]

spark plug wires

When my spyder was dying at intersections while waiting for the stoplight to change, it was my spark plug wires. They were arcing. Was idling very roughly and had to keep giving it gas and some fast accelerating to get it to smooth out.

 

[bjt]

The squeel may be a belt / pulley issue. Maybe as simple as a belt realignment. Hopefully the belt isn't worn or the pulleys damaged. That was / is the issue with both mine and my wife's Spyders. Mine required a new belt and pulleys to fix. Hers is at the dealership now waiting for a diagnosis.

 

[AMTJIM]

You have a low mileage '08, brake squeal was a problem that does get louder with miles, but thats' when brakes were applied. They did change pads on later models, you can too. My Spyder had a squealy grumble groan when I pushed it around, possibly related to the original parking brake rigging, also a problem for many.
There was also a fuel smell on many, ever had that? there is a fix for that, too.
Have you been in for BUDS software upgrades, BUDS has changed since '08. Fuel mapping, steering inputs, other BUDS updates. An O2 modifier may help you, it's been off and on for Spyder owners when an exhaust is changed. You are at a low altitude, so not sure how much it will help, but it sounds like you need service.
Have you done your DPS recall yet?

 

[boborgera]

I have two new concerns about my Spyder. First, this has been occuring for quite a while, but it is now getting worse. It started out with backfiring and now it is not doing that, but it is running really ragged and completely dying. It starts back up, but should it do that? The missing is constant until I go fast enough that it seems to smooth out, but I can feel that it is not. I was told that my Hindle is causing it, but I wonder about that. Second, from day one I've heard a faint squeel that some can hear and some not. I decided it was a brake squeel getting worse, and then figured out how to remedy it. However, I heard it loud and clear when I pushed the Spyder backward and forward. I kept pushing it again and again, trying to decide the exact source. Does anyone have any recommendations for these new problems I have. Sandy

Gen 3 brake pads, stopped the squeal on my 08.
The backfiring and running ragged till you hit higher rpms sounds like a bad spark wire. Were your spark plugs changed recently,?
Sometimes in in pulling the wires off the plugs they can be damaged'opcorn:

 

[Sunshyn]

this may help the poor running condition: can-am o2 modifier kit

http://www.evoluzione.net/evo-cycle-can-am.htm

and did you check your parking brake adjustment and see if that helps your squeal?

Thank you, TRXSPYDER, for the suggestion. My Spyder is a 08 SE5 GS that had 1523 miles on it when I purchased it 3/27/2011. It now has 2450 miles on it. I checked out the site you recommended, but under the "air/fuel systems," they apparently only have products for 09's. Sandy

 

[Sunshyn]

You have a low mileage '08, brake squeal was a problem that does get louder with miles, but thats' when brakes were applied. They did changew pads on later models, you can too. My Spyder had a squealy grumble groan when I pushed it around, possibly related to the original parking brake rigging, also a problem for many.
There was also a fuel smell on many, ever had that? there is a fix for that, too.
Have you been in for BUDS software upgrades, BUDS has changed since '08. Fuel mapping, steering inputs, other BUDS updates. An O2 modifier may help you, it's been off and on for Spyder owners when an exhaust is changed. You are at a low altitude, so not sure how much it will help, but it sounds like you need service.
Have you done your DPS recall yet?

AMTJIM, thank you for taking the time to try to help me. I resolved the brake squeal, while traveling, early on by just not using continuous pressure. Back then I barely got out of first gear. The theory or method still works for me, however, of hitting the brake quickly one time, coasting as it downshifts, and then solid pressure to stop. In emergency situations, quick firm pressure rarely makes causes squeal. My Spyder now has 2450 miles on it. I have not had a fuel odor so far. My parking brake was causing a problem initially. A mechanic friend took the machine apart with the help of AKSpyderman via phone. The problem was that something was telling the computor or whatever that the brake was on even when it was not. The pad was pressed tightly against the fender which I suppose sent the signal that the brake was on, even while driving. He adjusted it and the problem was fixed I thought, at least the RED exclamation mark stopped blinking. I just now went out and pushed the Spyder back and forth several times and there is not one sound coming out of it. After I posted the original message, I determined that the squeal was coming from somewhere around the back wheel. On 4/16/2011 Steven (can't think of his SL.com ID) drove my Spyder over to Pensacola Motor Sports for whatever needed attention. It had 1727 miles on it. Warranty work including Ground Wire Update, ECM Software Update, and DPS Module Update was done. I do not know if any of these things are any part of the "BUDS" you mentioned. However, I do know for certain that the backfiring and (then) slight missing sound were apparent at that time. I was told the Spyder was taken for a test drive after work work was completed. I do not know if the backfiring/missing issue was noticed. What is the real advantage of having a Hindle anyway? For sure I know it makes the Spyder sound BAAAAAD, but does it really help anything? It was installed along with the other two pages of mods the previous owner ordered, so the original is probably not available. Thank you, again, AMTJIM for your help and recommendations. When I can catch him, I will ask my mechanic friend to have a look/listen while he is here to install the heat shield thing and air management thing I ordered from Spyderpops. He is hard to catch. I will post new findings/fixes and maybe not drive it for a while. I am absolutely going to get AAA insurance. Having the thing quit and then knowing that it feels like it wants to quit like yesterday when it was only 94 degrees here is very scary, at least for me.:gaah:

 

[Sunshyn]

The squeel may be a belt / pulley issue. Maybe as simple as a belt realignment. Hopefully the belt isn't worn or the pulleys damaged. That was / is the issue with both mine and my wife's Spyders. Mine required a new belt and pulleys to fix. Hers is at the dealership now waiting for a diagnosis.

BJT, thank you for your input. Would my :spyder2: with only 2450 miles on it be likely to have belt/pulley issues?

 

[Sunshyn]

Have you checked your exhaust gaskets? My '09 GS was backfiring almost every few times I slowed down and the idle was getting ruff. I changed the gaskets with the ones for a GW and after 3 hours of riding not one backfire and now it idles much better hyea:. Your Hindle may just add to the problem a little. Good luck finding the root cause!

JJW SpyderRider, I appreciate your input regarding my backfiring/rough running issues. I hate to admit it and realise I need a crash course on working on this RED beauty, but I have not the first clue. I can do a lot of things, even fix my own irrigation (most of the time) problems, but this baby is a whole new frontier for me. Perhaps, if I could find and purchase a shop manual for her, I could do more than stand there with a puzzled look and then run in here to pester y'all. So, would you suggest I purchase GW gaskets for it? I have never done ANY work on a motor before. Perhaps this would be better to leave to my mechanic friend. Will you tell me how to figure out what to ask for or probably order off the web to do the gasket work you suggest? Thank you, JJW SpyderRider, for trying to help. Sandy

 

[Sunshyn]

When my spyder was dying at intersections while waiting for the stoplight to change, it was my spark plug wires. They were arcing. Was idling very roughly and had to keep giving it gas and some fast accelerating to get it to smooth out.

Cool Machine, I appreciate your input. Even though there are not many miles on this :spyder2:, checking out the spark plug wires sound like a plausible place to begin. As I mentioned in another post, I've never really "worked" on any kind of engine or motor, but have closely watched others. Like you, accelerating does seem to make it smooth out, but in my case, I THINK I can still feel the roughness, only a more speedy roughness if that makes any sense.

Do you, or does anyone else think it is likely that this beauty will leave me stranded as a result of the missing/backfiring condition it has? It should probably stay in the garage until it is fixed. Thank you for trying to help. Sandy

 

[Sunshyn]

Gen 3 brake pads, stopped the squeal on my 08.
The backfiring and running ragged till you hit higher rpms sounds like a bad spark wire. Were your spark plugs changed recently,?
Sometimes in in pulling the wires off the plugs they can be damaged'opcorn:

BOBORGERA, thank you for your input in regard to my backfiring/running ragged issue. As far as I know, no work has been done on the spark plug wires. Surely they were not subjected to harm while at the shop getting warranty work done. Would that be likely? However, I think you are right on as to the sound spark plug/wires cause, b/c I have had spark plug wire issues with automobiles in the past. I am going to show all of the posts people here have so kindly written to my mechanic friend. Surely all of the ideas will assist him in working on this :spyder2:. Sandy

 

[ARtraveler]

Sledhead has just posted that he has an OEM exhaust for sale--since he replaced it with a Hindle--you might check it out--FS by owner threads.

 

[Sunshyn]

Sledhead has just posted that he has an OEM exhaust for sale--since he replaced it with a Hindle--you might check it out--FS by owner threads.

Thank you, AKSpyderman. I will check out the posting.
Sandy

 

[trxrspyder]

Thank you, TRXSPYDER, for the suggestion. My Spyder is a 08 SE5 GS that had 1523 miles on it when I purchased it 3/27/2011. It now has 2450 miles on it. I checked out the site you recommended, but under the "air/fuel systems," they apparently only have products for 09's. Sandy

It fits....I have it on my 08 GS. lol

 

[bone crusher]

AMTJIM, thank you for taking the time to try to help me. I resolved the brake squeal, while traveling, early on by just not using continuous pressure. Back then I barely got out of first gear. The theory or method still works for me, however, of hitting the brake quickly one time, coasting as it downshifts, and then solid pressure to stop. In emergency situations, quick firm pressure rarely makes causes squeal. My Spyder now has 2450 miles on it. I have not had a fuel odor so far. My parking brake was causing a problem initially. A mechanic friend took the machine apart with the help of AKSpyderman via phone. The problem was that something was telling the computor or whatever that the brake was on even when it was not. The pad was pressed tightly against the fender which I suppose sent the signal that the brake was on, even while driving. He adjusted it and the problem was fixed I thought, at least the RED exclamation mark stopped blinking. I just now went out and pushed the Spyder back and forth several times and there is not one sound coming out of it. After I posted the original message, I determined that the squeal was coming from somewhere around the back wheel. On 4/16/2011 Steven (can't think of his SL.com ID) drove my Spyder over to Pensacola Motor Sports for whatever needed attention. It had 1727 miles on it. Warranty work including Ground Wire Update, ECM Software Update, and DPS Module Update was done. I do not know if any of these things are any part of the "BUDS" you mentioned. However, I do know for certain that the backfiring and (then) slight missing sound were apparent at that time. I was told the Spyder was taken for a test drive after work work was completed. I do not know if the backfiring/missing issue was noticed. What is the real advantage of having a Hindle anyway? For sure I know it makes the Spyder sound BAAAAAD, but does it really help anything? It was installed along with the other two pages of mods the previous owner ordered, so the original is probably not available. Thank you, again, AMTJIM for your help and recommendations. When I can catch him, I will ask my mechanic friend to have a look/listen while he is here to install the heat shield thing and air management thing I ordered from Spyderpops. He is hard to catch. I will post new findings/fixes and maybe not drive it for a while. I am absolutely going to get AAA insurance. Having the thing quit and then knowing that it feels like it wants to quit like yesterday when it was only 94 degrees here is very scary, at least for me.:gaah:

Uh, the hindle adds 4 hp and your bike moves faster...plus, it sounds better as the stock really sounds like a sewing machine...add a better air filter/system, and you're able to accelerate faster (if that matters at all)...oh, a juice box comes in handy for tighter control of the fuel/air mix...

 

[AMTJIM]

Good, sounds like your on your way.
There were some needle or roller bearing recalls for the SE5 also. Had to do with the shift function of the SE5, as opposed to the manual SM5. May be something in our future.
The Hindle is a performance exhaust upgrade, more horsepower. If you like the sound, a sound upgrade as well. A better airfilter helps even more, there are several vendors for that. It's even noticeable if you decide to go back to stock exhaust. I did the Evoluzione airfilter on my first Spyder before I got the exhaust, the airfilter was very noticeable.
BUDS, the Spyder has a some what unique connector under a black access panel that can be accessed when you open the trunk. The relay/fuse box is on the left and the connector is on the right, near the top. It's used to connect the Spyder to a computer terminal that has access to BRP, the system is called BUDS. It checks the machine for faults, upgrades or corrects the onboard computers, programming, sensors. Has maintenance functions like bleeding the ABS brake system, adjusting sensors, clearing faults . It's required for a lot of the maintenance on the Spyder, you can't take it just anywhere for repair because you have to be approved by BRP for repair of the Spyder which requires being a dealer.
Sounds like you are well on your way.

 

[Sunshyn]

Have you checked your exhaust gaskets? My '09 GS was backfiring almost every few times I slowed down and the idle was getting ruff. I changed the gaskets with the ones for a GW and after 3 hours of riding not one backfire and now it idles much better hyea:. Your Hindle may just add to the problem a little. Good luck finding the root cause!

Thank you, Jeff, for the exhaust gasket advise. I am ordering the recommended o2 filter. Do you know the part number of the GW gasket you used? Did you order it online and if so, from what company? I hope to order one of those to replace what is on the Spyder now. I already have the "missing part" for resolving the hot right foot problem along with an air management part. Once I have all of these parts, a friend of mine is going to do the work for me and we will also check for damaged plug wires. Is it likely that the plugs could be fouled? If the wires are damaged, I wonder how/why. Pensacola Motor Sports did the warranty work on it in April. Would it be likely that the wires were damaged at that time? Thank you, again for your valuable advice. Sandy

 

[Sunshyn]

Good, sounds like your on your way.
There were some needle or roller bearing recalls for the SE5 also. Had to do with the shift function of the SE5, as opposed to the manual SM5. May be something in our future.
The Hindle is a performance exhaust upgrade, more horsepower. If you like the sound, a sound upgrade as well. A better airfilter helps even more, there are several vendors for that. It's even noticeable if you decide to go back to stock exhaust. I did the Evoluzione airfilter on my first Spyder before I got the exhaust, the airfilter was very noticeable.
BUDS, the Spyder has a some what unique connector under a black access panel that can be accessed when you open the trunk. The relay/fuse box is on the left and the connector is on the right, near the top. It's used to connect the Spyder to a computer terminal that has access to BRP, the system is called BUDS. It checks the machine for faults, upgrades or corrects the onboard computers, programming, sensors. Has maintenance functions like bleeding the ABS brake system, adjusting sensors, clearing faults . It's required for a lot of the maintenance on the Spyder, you can't take it just anywhere for repair because you have to be approved by BRP for repair of the Spyder which requires being a dealer.
Sounds like you are well on your way.

AMTJIM, thank you so much for all of your valuable advice. I said in my reply to Jeff that I have some of the parts I ordered, am getting the recommended filter, and will get the GW gasket if I can get the part number for it and perhaps the supplying company. I will soon have everything for my friend to begin. I will be watching him very closely in hopes of learning how to do some work on it. Knowing how to get to things will be a good start. How will I know about the "needle or roller bearings recall?" I wonder why nothing was done about this when it was having warranty work done in April. Can you tell me what sypmtoms to look/listen for? Where are these parts and what function do they perform?

Well, SO MANY very kind people have come to my rescue and I am most certainly grateful for the advise and suggestions. I hope someday I can help someone. Right now, the best I could do is call Triple A. Sandy