02 Speed triple hard starting - sputter starting

[rogue1313]

Hey there guys.....I'm new to this forum, but not new to bikes or Triumphs.

Here's the deal.....I bought a used 2002 Speed Triple a few months back; 25k miles....after market exhaust can. Ever since I bought it, it has started hard. Basically what it does is it will crank for a several seconds without starting. I let go of the button for a couple seconds....then try to start it again....It will crank several times again & then when it catches, it litterally sputters to life. It doesn't just immediately fire. After it catches and sputters up to idle (which only takes a couple seconds)....it will idle and run fine.....well, initially when it gets to idle, if I blip the throttle it might cut out, but after 30 seconds to a minut of idling, it's fine. After it gets going it's fine.....runs fine, no stumbling or cutting out.....it's just that initial start up. If it's colder out, it takes even longer to catch.


Basically, it seems like it's not getting enough fuel/air on the inital start. I've read it could be a valve adjustment problem?? (the guy I bought it from didn't have a service history, so who knows when it was tuned up last).....or maybe a sensor issue due to the aftermarket exhaust??

I don't know, it runs fine other wise....and it's not the battery because I bought a brand new one & keep it on a battery tender. It's getting plenty of juice....it's just not catching.


Anyone had this experience? The sputtering up? It's fuel injected, so it really should just fire up right? Any ideas, help would be great. But please, like I said, the battery is fine....so lets not go there

[James33]

Id start by changing the plugs. Simple things first.

[Chewie.]

If there is no recorded service history....there may be in fact be no service history. There may be a lot of things that are a little off that are combining to make the starting hard. I don't know if the 12 minute tune applies to the Sagem ECU, but that would be something I would do after changing the plugs as James suggests. Perhaps taking it to get a dealer to check the codes with his gameboy might help shed some light on the state of tune.

[rogue1313]

Spark plugs....I guess I just figured since it runs fine after it starts, the plugs were OK....never really considered that. Like I said, I have a feeling the bike wasn't serviced as it should be (after I got it I drained the coolant and found the brown/clay stuff used to cast the motor was still in the fluid...so I don't think it was ever flushed), so thouse easily be the original plugs. Plugs definately might be a good, inexpensive place to start.....and at least they couldn't hurt.

Anyone have any other ideas in case that doesn't work?

[rogue1313]

Well, pulled the spark plugs (little bit or work to do it)....they don't look that bad unfortunately....since I've already done the work, I'll just replace them of course....but I don't think this is the issue. Any other thoughts?


BTW.....I cracked one of plastic connectors for the fuel lines....the quick connect/disconnct ones......had to remove it. Looks like I should be able to just thread in a new one....anyone know where to pick up one of these connectors?

[rnexussix]

I'd replace the air-filter as well and reset adaptive. Also there are posts here and on the "other" forum about replacing the plastic tank connectors with metal ones. Do a little searching here you'll find them.

[dr_gallup]

I designed the fuel injectors in your bike and still work in the plant that made them. PM me if you would like me to check them out. If you want I'll check them out (no charge) and let you know exactly how well they are working.

[James33]

Well, pulled the spark plugs (little bit or work to do it)....they don't look that bad unfortunately....since I've already done the work, I'll just replace them of course....but I don't think this is the issue. Any other thoughts?


BTW.....I cracked one of plastic connectors for the fuel lines....the quick connect/disconnct ones......had to remove it. Looks like I should be able to just thread in a new one....anyone know where to pick up one of these connectors?

The plugs could still be giving a weak spark even though they look ok. Those plastic fuel conectors are a nightmare! I broke one of mine the first time i took the tank off as well. Your local Triumph dealer should have some on the shelf.

[dr_gallup]

The plugs could still be giving a weak spark even though they look ok. Those plastic fuel conectors are a nightmare! I broke one of mine the first time i took the tank off as well. Your local Triumph dealer should have some on the shelf.

IIRC the plastic connectors were replaced free of charge by Triumph with metal ones. Don't know if you can still make good on that after all these years.

I can test coils under load too. Had to replace one of the Denso coils on my '06 which was causing a low rpm stumble.

[James33]

I asked about my Connector when it broke and Triumph said there was no recalls due on my bike. Mines a 99 though so maybe it was the later ones that got changed.