Burning Rich

I just bought a '98 VFR 800 FI - I got a great deal on the bike because it needs some work and has title issues. I'll straighten out the title but I've never worked with an FI bike before - can anyone out there help me out?

The seller told me the bike is running rich and starts to sputter and stall after a couple of hours on the road. The seller said it's most likely a bad oxygen sensor but I googled 'VFR oxygen sensor' and got lost in all the sensor eliminator and PCIII discussions. I plan to travel on the bike so I'm more interested in fuel economy than I am in amping up the power - what should I do? What parts do I need?

 

Faulty O2 sensor should trigger the self diagnostic FI light to come on and flash. Even so, I doubt it would make your bike stutter and stall.

Your description is too vague to even venture any guesses. You could begin by reading the diagnostic memory to see if any codes are stored. Instructions are in the shop manual.

 

Thanks dizzy - that's a start.

I haven't even thrown a leg over the bike yet, I was just trying to do a little pre-emptive research. I've been dealing with the seller strictly online so far - I'm picking the bike up tomorrow morning. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions and more info when I get a chance to ride it and see what it's doing first-hand.

 

If your vfr is a 98 5th gen it should not have O2 sensors.

 

Start with a fresh set of plugs and air filter. Run a few tanks through it and see how it does then.

Does it have a Power Commander in it already? It may have too rich of a map, or lost its mapping and is just pouring it on.

 

Steven is right, no O2 sensors until 2000. As mentioned, try the plugs, filter and maybe some Seafoam to clean the system and injectors.

 

Before you go buying anything, go over all the electrical connections, especially the battery. Pull the fairings and ensure all the coils and leads are on and well connected.
Then buy a cheap voltmeter and test the battery, stator and RR.

Something that runs like crap after 2 hours normally comes from something moving about for 2 hours, or something getting hot.

Just a starter.

 

Good idea...sellers always simplify existing problems. They always seem to know what's wrong. The question in my mind is...if you know what's wrong, why didn't you fix it?

I'd verify the compression as well. Even if you're buying the bike darn cheap...the price of major engine work can make it not a good deal.