Hello My Triumph Tiger Sport has recently developed some engine issues. Im reluctant to take it to the garage looking so clueless, as Im bound to be ripped off. Can anyone help? Im suspicious because it only had a major (24k) service 1,000 miles ago which involved valve clearances which is my first guess of the cause. Since then the engine has developed a rough note (it sounds like a tractor) and will stutter or cough. This is worse on startup, and sometimes lasts several minutes. I tried to attach a recording but the extension wasnt allowed. Any suggestions very welcome. Thank you
have you checked for leaks from the headers, by tractor do you mean knocking n rattling or rough sounding exhaust
Haven't looked at the headers, to be honest I wouldn't know where to start. By rough, I mean - engine sounds deeper and interval sounds longer. Sort of chugging along instead of the usual higher pitched 3-cylinder purr. Its not rattling just "coughing" Sorry this is so vague - Im not an engine person.
sounds like it could be misfiring, could be a plug or coil, run the motor for 30 seconds and check the exhaust pipes to make sure they are all hot as a start
Genius idea with youtube. Now with sound !!! Its quite a distinctive noise so I hope this helps. Thanks for all the help so far.
You are a bit short of detail to help with diagnosis. Did the problem emerge straight after servicing or later? If the former your mechanic owes you a free check. Were Valve clearances actually re-shimmed? It would unlikely cause chugging but your description could be an electrical misfire or a mechanical air leak Does it improve with warm up? It is all a bit too vague to pinpoint on the basis of a limited description..... Videos crossed with post!
Update - all 3 exhausts get hot when the engine is run. So its not that. It does seem to get better when the engine has been run for a while. Also its not consistent - sometimes it will be really bad but other times not (usually when im trying to record it). The issue didn't start immediately after the service, not that I noticed anyway.
Sounded to me that it was only firing on two with the third cylinder occasionally trying to join in. But as all three header pipes are getting hot it would appear that I am, as is normal in these cases, talking total bollox! Some things never change, but at least I am consistent!!
It did seem like one was hotter than the others, maybe it was 2 and my finger tips had got desensitised by then! So its possibly one cylinder down.... Im guessing its not something like spark plugs or that would take the cylinder out completely?
Well it was the Triumph dealership so I should be able to.... but Ive had a bad service from a different dealership before so in reality, not so much ! I wanted to get the stamp for a big service like that, but Id trust a local garage much better. Ive found some recommendations on a local facebook page Im going to try those but I wanted to get at least some idea what it was so I don't sound like a total numpty. Checked the service report. The spark plugs were renewed as part of the 24k....on paper at least
Mark36 You went to a triumph dealer then get it back there and kick ass. Welcome to the family by the way. Yes you have a cylinder dropping out. Coil plug air leak blocked injector. If they have gone down then you may have to pay if not then the dealer should put it right. Regards Joe.
After a 24k service including valve check, the ride home was awful Loss of power, misfiring and general very mechanical instead of smooy I took the tank and air box out and found one of the spark plug connectors was very loose, I gave it a push and it clicked info place Poor job at the garage Ran super smooth after that Take off what you are happy doing and check electric connections and pipes...just make sure everything is tight n propper
Sounds like something might be loose, as @Red Thunder says check connections in high tension and low tension , middle cylinder is the likely culprit , it's the awkward one to access ! There's less room to get hands in. Wiggle all contacts , also if you have jumper leads , connect a good battery to bike before starting , see if it gets better , as ECU can play up if voltages are low.
if it goes as the engine warms up it would suggest it is mixture related or electrical ie running weak when cold or an electrical component getting better as the engine warms. I would remove the tank and check the hoses and the plug lead & coil connections to start with.
To me it sounds like a miss but could also be a leaking exhaust in the first video but more like a miss in the second also check for intake leaks.
I would not trust any garage an less I know them well. Do most my own stuff. I once had a mate brake down and called a local main dealer they picked his bike up. And got it started. My mate knows nothing about bikes. They told him his battery had died which was more than likely true but also told him his plugs were old and needed changing badly and billed him £256. Funny I had put brand new plugs in 2 weeks before when I serviced his bike. Funny that.
