Yet another 'what's wrong with my berg' thread

[dhawkins]

2010 FE 450. Two years old and only 15 hours because total lack of confidence in this machine. I end up using the ol' KTM 400 or reliable two stroke when I go out. Have had three failures on the trails and called Rick at BOSS several times to try to identify why this POS paperweight tends to fail. As such, have changed fuel filter and spark plug. It's a pretty machine (and expensive), a joy to ride when it's working and I would like to get it working, did some more searching and figured that the problem might be with the fuel pump (vapor lock problem) as the bike, after being towed, or pushed home, would start 30-40 minutes later.

Here's the current issue:
Bought the CA Cycleworks pump and had it installed at a local dealer. Bike fired up right away and it put a smile on my face. Even did a couple of laps around my soCal neighborhood. I then went on vacation for a couple of weeks, returned and now the bike won't fire up. Battery well charged, gas in tank. I can hear the whine of the pump working when the seat is off. Any idea as to why this no longer works?

I am not a skilled mechanic by any means...didn't even want to mess with installing the fuel pump,but hope there is something simple at play here. Could the fuel line be turned off (I know there isn't a petcock, but is there some way to restrict gas flow?). Do you think one of the fuses needs to be changed out (not that I understand the mess of wires underneath the seat)?

Questions:
Is there a 'no brainer' fix to this?
Is there any one in SoCal that can get this thing reliably running? Would pay someone for a house visit to get this thing bullet proof. I have a lot of money invested in it and would like to get some enjoyment out of it.
Is anyone interested in buying this 'like new' machine (it's got a lot of extras including trail tricks suspension) for a good deal, so I can buy myself a KTM or another two stroke?

Should of learned after countless 2007 FE 550 issues that this a brand for those that like to fix bike problems.
Your advice is appreciated....

 

[brian011952]

Boy oh boy, your situation doesn't sound good. I can't say for sure what is wrong with your bike, but it's probably something very simple. I'd check my fuel pressure from the pump in the line at the disconnect under the seat. If you have full pressure reaching the injector, check the spark next. Gas and spark equal combuustion if you are getting air. If there is no spark, either someting is off, unplugged, or your tip over switch is malfunctioning. My guess here would be a fuel issue since the recent work was done, probably a line came off of the pump in the tank.

I wish I lived in So Cal, I'd get with you and help you sort that bike. Mine is at almost 3000 miles without any failures at all. There have been some small issues that were easily fixable, but no more than I had with my previous KTM.

 

[bkowal]

I had the same problem, more or less. It was the fuel pump. Ca cycleworks sent out some bad pumps. I got a new one on warranty, and bike fired right up.

I think there was a check valve failure on mine since the pump had a distinct rattle when you shook it and you could blow through the pump in both directions. The new pump would allow flow in only one direction.

 

[Noppy]

Do you happen to have any ethanol in your fuel? When you store the bike for longer than a week, try Startron to keep the sludge out of your gas filters.

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/content/view/34/46

A new pump which has to push fuel through a 10 micron in-line filter which is fouled up with Ethanol gunk will not work and soon fail because of internal heat by the build up of pressure.

Try to get some race gas or pure gas from a company that sells fuel without ethanol (Aspen, do you have that in the USA?). No ethanol / corn **** with molds, yeast and bacterias.

Hope you sort it out!

 

[dhawkins]

I am looking into the defective fuel pump issue..... Thanks for all of the guidance.