No start

[JoshuaCJCohen]

Hi,
I recently bought a used 900 and this morning it wouldn't start.  I've been riding it for about a month without any problems.  This morning, after it sat for two days, I turned the key and no fuel injector hum was noticed.  When I hit the start button it turned over but just chugged.  I rolled it out of the driveway and down the hill, dropped it into first gear and instead of turning over and starting is clanked and came to an abrupt stop. 

I'm not a mechanic and know more about aircraft jet engines than I do about car or motorcycle engines.  Any ideas?

Thanks,
Josh

[SpikeC]

Battery.

[Howie]

How is the cranking speed?  By  "chugging" do you mean cranking slowly?

[ducpainter]

Some Ducati's kill the fuel pump with the kill switch...Is it in the off position?

[JoshuaCJCohen]

If it was just the battery wouldn't jump starting it still work? I had a completely dead battery on a Kawasaki Vulcan a few years back (when I left the key on during lunch) and was able to roll it down a slight decline in the parking lot and it started right up. 

Initially it seemed to be turning over just fine, but after a few tries it slowed down significantly, as I would expect, due to battery drain.  I described it as "chugging" due to the unique sound the Ducati makes.

Kill switch is in the on position.  Check, checked again and rechecked.

[ducpainter]

Bump starting won't work if the battery is dead enough to not run the fuel pump.

If you have a battery charger hook it up overnight and see what happens.

Does the headlight come on when you turn on the key? If it does, does it get really dim when you hit the start button?

I don't think the battery was that dead though because the bike cranked.

[memper]

and why not a multi meter while youre at it.

[kokis]

check sparks. Take off spark, connect spark cable to it, touch metal screw part of spark with bike engine and press start, you should see sparks if spark is ok. if not, spark is dead - replace.

[JoshuaCJCohen]

Thanks guys. I'll check those out and get back to you.

Josh

[JoshuaCJCohen]

Headlamp almost goes completely out when I hit the start button.  Haven't tested the spark plug yet.

[ducpainter]

Headlamp almost goes completely out when I hit the start button.  Haven't tested the spark plug yet.

You need to start by charging the battery and have it load tested.

[suzyj]

Battery.

[JoshuaCJCohen]

Took one spark plug out and it was completely coated with carbon.  Lifted the tank and pulled the battery.  When I lifted the tank a small amount of gasoline ran down the back of the tank and collected on the ground.  (more on that in a minute)

Went to the motorcycle shop down the street.  They hooked up the voltmeter and the battery is fine, 12.61V.  They did suggest replacing the spark plugs since I had one out already.
They suggested the fuel pump relay is bad and told me to recheck the fuses. 

Went home, checked all the fuses (since I don't know which fuse runs the relay because only certain items are on the little black box ), put the battery back in (more gas on ground and my shirt) and partially installed one new spark plug. 

When I took the spark plug cover off and removed the original spark plug I noticed the plug end was not a copper looking funnel as I was used to, but just the metal screw.  I thought, "I guess Ducati uses a stripped down spark plug.  Funny Italians."  When I went to install the new one I didn't think to remove the top piece and, of course, it didn't fit.  I then realized the copper funnel thing was in the plug cover.  I found the front plug and pulled the cap off and sure enough, bare metal screw on the exterior end of that spark plug as well.  As it's 2133 here I didn't bother to check but I'm willing to bet that copper funnel piece is also in the plug cover. 

Did they rattle lose?  I'm planning on using needle nose pliers to pull them out unless someone warns me not to for some reason.  I was reading up on replacing spark plugs and lubricating them before inserting them and head spacing.  I don't know crap about head spacing or how to determine it.  Is there a method for determining that doesn't require calipers and a electromagnetic microscope?  I don't think the copper piece coming lose from the spark plug has anything to do with my fuel pumps not humming when I turn the key but as I know more about jet turbines than I do about piston engines I'm willing to admit I'm wrong.

Lastly, the fuel tank.  Previous owner told me he has replaced the factory issue fuel cap with an after market product.  It is a large metal disk with three hex bolts holding it onto the gas tank and a non-key required cap that has a push and twist release in the center.  I could see that there was some space between the large disk and the tank and asked him if water can get in the tank and he said, "No, but it will collect a little in the depression."  When I lifted the tank to access the battery gas was slowly leaking from that gap.  Only a small amount would leak out, it didn't do it the entire time, so I know it isn't a direct leak from the opening but clearly there is a path for some gas to get out when lifted, which tells me there is a path for water to get in under the correct conditions as well.  I have attempted to include a picture.  I suspect the leak is coming from between the copper disk and the white colored ring.  Anything I should be worried about?  I cover it at night but I live in Okinawa, Japan and we get tons of rain.

Since the battery is good, is the fuel pump relay a good next suspect or is there another option?  I have noticed that on two or three occasions, when I push the start button nothing happens, no noise, not turnover, no nothing.  I simply released it and pressed it again and it works no problem so there is a contact issue somewhere.  However, the last two days it is turning over, it's just not catching fire and, of course, the fuel pumps are silent.

Lastly, I believe my bike is a 2006 Monster 900 Eurospec.  I have not been able to find out any info on this model and, most importantly, if I can bring back to the states with me when I depart Japan in the future.  Is there a way to tell from the VIN this information the year and if I send that to Ducati will they be able to tell me if it is eligible for import?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200754758465221&set=a.1729288845944.92633.1650164700&type=1&relevant_count=1

Thanks in advance.
Josh

[ducpainter]

A simple voltage test isn't sufficient to test a battery. It needs to be load tested.

The fact that the headlight goes out when you hit the starter means either the battery is no good, or you have a very bad connection somewhere.

Re: the spark plugs...that is the type Ducati uses. The top looks like a threaded stud. NGK part# 4339.

You need to verify that the pump primes. If it does then maybe new plugs will help, but with no pump it won't start no matter what.

Water should not collect in the depression under the cap. If it does the drain is clogged or the hose under the tank is pinched. The fuel leaking is probably something you'll have to live with because of the aftermarket cap. You should be very careful when raising the tank with over half a tank of fuel. You can damage the hinge and then you'll have the Monster hinge leak.

[JoshuaCJCohen]

1) Roger, load test.
2) So don't remove the copper funnel thing?  Get NGK 4339.  Got it.

3) Any ideas on the pump relays?  Is that a real option or are they just pulling my leg?