After being out of gas...

[GentlemanRacer]

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Just a quick question, not sure where else to ask it:

I ran out of gas the other day because I misjudged how urgent that angry little light was while I had a 2UP. I sputtered to within a block of a gas station and put some gas in, but now it's like I don't have any low end torque anymore. Engine breaks aren't as strong, and the whole thing feels like it's coasting.

A quick google search yielded an explanation for cars, that was gunk at the bottom of the tank can clog the fuel filter when you let it go down to 0. The internet alleges on the EFI bikes, the filter is actually in the tank on the fuel line, which makes it seem slightly less than rider serviceable.
My bike is new'ish (thruxton, 5,500km on it, oil changed at ~4000km) and I'm wondering whether this is common, if I need to take it in to the dealership, or if someone can recommend a downtown mechanic to look at it. A trip out to GP is always nice, but a bit of a day killer.

Your thoughts appreciated.

 

[mac_135]

This may not be of any help but I recently ran my 09 bonneville dry just to see how far I'd get on a tank of gas.... I didn't know this could happen. I haven't noticed any difference after filling up though, and my bike has just over 5000km now as well. I'm curious to see what the issue is here!

Sturgess Cycle in Hamilton is also a Triumph dealer, I had them install my pipes and they were a pretty straight forward shop.

 

[nakkers]

Pull the plugs. They might be fowled. Easy to swap out for new ones and see if it makes a difference.

 

[rib]

try some seafoam?

 

[a.malljr]

Man, seafoam is so key! Definitely try this but I'd love to know what the actual cause of all this is. Keep us posted, man. Goodluck with it all.

try some seafoam?

 

[oren102]

Subscribed...

 

[kiwi]

On some bikes the fuel pump is also cooled by the surrounding fuel in the tank and thus it's not advisable to run the gas too low. I hear some BMWs are like this and that's why the fuel gage on them say empty even when there is 2L of gas still in the tank .

 

[GentlemanRacer]

Awesome, thank you. So appreciated. I will pick up some new plugs (NDK Iridiums) and some seafoam and follow up in a few days once I have time to sort it out.

Down the rabbit hole we go...

 

[el_felo]

probably dirty fuel or crap got in to the carb when drainig to the last drop

I had a different problem with my last bike. but most people suggested

1) try some sea foam

2) I don't know what bike you have but also check the flow of the gas from the tank, if possible. in otherwords, make sure the gas flow is good.


SeaFoam will for sure clean your carb gunk.

 

[robmack]

\I will pick up some new plugs (NDK Iridiums) ...

Not related to the original question -- Check with the manufacturer first before installing Iridiums. I own an older bike and thought substituting the newer technology for the old was a good idea. Turned out I was wrong as the newer plugs could potentially do more damage than performance improvement. It might NOT be the case with a newer Thruxton, but check anyway before moving ahead.

 

[GentlemanRacer]

Thanks to all who replied, particularly RetroGrouch.

Just to close this out, and link it to the other Thruxton issues:

Regarding the loss of torque, this worked.

- Sea Foam worked temporarily.
- Replaced the plugs (stock, not iridium),
- Adjusted the chain.

Plugs were not obviously fouled, but replaced them anyway for control. Will hook them up to my multimeter and see if there are blotches of resistance on the surface of the electrode that could have interfered with firing.

Next issue is that I have been experiencing the crappy mileage issue that some Thruxtons have (precisely half the advertised mpg, which could be explained by a misfiring plug), and I will update this again after I've been through a full tank of gas without any 2up rides.

 

[IV.]

Thanks to all who replied, particularly RetroGrouch.

Just to close this out, and link it to the other Thruxton issues:

Regarding the loss of torque, this worked.

- Sea Foam worked temporarily.
- Replaced the plugs (stock, not iridium),
- Adjusted the chain.

Plugs were not obviously fouled, but replaced them anyway for control. Will hook them up to my multimeter and see if there are blotches of resistance on the surface of the electrode that could have interfered with firing.

Next issue is that I have been experiencing the crappy mileage issue that some Thruxtons have (precisely half the advertised mpg, which could be explained by a misfiring plug), and I will update this again after I've been through a full tank of gas without any 2up rides.

1. check your air filter, remove and clean or replace
2. check the airbox to ensure that everything is tight and sitting tightly on each cylinder head

I saw a Triumph where the airbox was not making a snug fit with the throttle body. A dremel did the job.

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