K6 running on one cylinder.

Originally Posted by Baph

OK, take the front plug out, hold it against the frame & crank the engine. Leave the bike in dealer service mode when you do this.

Do you get a spark against the frame? Do you get any error codes?

NOTE: Hold the plug carefully, please!

We've tried shorting the old and new plug aswell, no spark.
Though it wasn't in dealer mode when I did it, make any difference?

Originally Posted by Smoggy

We've tried shorting the old and new plug aswell, no spark.
Though it wasn't in dealer mode when I did it, make any difference?

Maybe not to the spark plug, but it should show the error code when the plug isn't in the socket.

Have you checked the HT lead properly? Could be breaking down.

Originally Posted by Baph

Maybe not to the spark plug, but it should show the error code when the plug isn't in the socket.

Have you checked the HT lead properly? Could be breaking down.

My dad has had a look over it and visually seems okay.

Hi there just read your post and i think i may be able to help.

foremost you say its a K6. Is it still under warranty? If so get it back to your local dealer and get them to look into it. If its not or you would rather fix it yourself i hope whats written below will help.

Can i ask was it raining when the problem started?

if so the sv's do suffer from the front cylinder cutting out when it rains heavily mainly due to a poorly fitted plug cap.

Did the engine make a knocking or banging sound when it happend?

if so dont try and run the bike as you could have done one of two things which are quite serious these are spun the big end on the crank ( grit or some other foreign body in the engine may have blocked an oil gallery) or hit a valve ( caused by over revving the engine- changing down too early or holding a gear too long). if so thn the engine is as good as gone but dont just give up get a qualified mechanic to check it first if your unsure.

things to check

Compression

to check the compression you can either use a compression gauge or more crudelyto check the front cylinders compression remove the rear cylinders spark plug (or vice versa depending which cylinder your checking) stick it in gear and push the bike you should feel the resistance if not then theres a compression issue ( blown gasket, piston failure etc)

Spark
see the steps below


Fuel

injection bikes are harder to check this on and it is usually best to get a trained mechanic to do it but you can check that none of the lines are kinked or trapped.

Air
clean the filter out and make sure theres nothing obstructing the air box intake. any thing further will require a trained mechanic if your unsure as waht to do futher


otherwise heres what i would do step by step;

1) check the fuses under the pillion seat unit make sure none are blown if there is a blown fuse replace it with the appropriate type.

if still no luck

2) remove front plug cap and blow any moisture out using a air line if you dont have access to an air line try to dry it out with some thing absorbant or leave the bike with the cap off for an hour or two some where warm and dry. dont use wd40 as it can cause the rubber to perrish faster ( not serverly but why cause damage when you dont need to). the replace the cap and start the bike up.

if it doesn't work try step three

3) remove front spark plug hold against engine and get some one to crank the bike over to see if there is a spark if there isn't try a new plug be sure to check the gap between the electrodes if that doesnt work the try step 4.

4) remove the seat and tank and air box you should see two coils one for the front cylinder and one for the rear check the connections one could have worked loose. give the engine a try if still no luck swap the coils and ht leads over( use the rear coil and ht lead on the front cylinder)

if the front cylinder now runs and the rear doesnt then you can deduce that the problem is either the ht lead, plug cap or coil to eliminate it one step further swap the ht leads between the coils and try again. and the do the same with the plug caps you wikll then be able to say what component is failing and get it replaced.

if when you change the coils over it still doesnt work then you may have a wire thats shorting trace the wires back and check there condition use a multi-meter to check the continuity if you find that its a wire you can either buy a replacement or splice a new wire in.


hope this help if you have any questions feel free to ask.

all the best
MJP

p.s. sorry for the essay

[Red ones]

Sounds like mine.

Are you SURE its the front pot that is not firing? Start it up, run it for a short while, then squirt a little WD40 on the exhaust headers - the cold one wont smoke.

Mine has a duff rear coil and is sitting in a garage waiting for the new one to arrive.

Originally Posted by Red ones

Sounds like mine.

Are you SURE its the front pot that is not firing? Start it up, run it for a short while, then squirt a little WD40 on the exhaust headers - the cold one wont smoke.

Mine has a duff rear coil and is sitting in a garage waiting for the new one to arrive.

Yeah I've ran it a few times and the front downpipe isn't warm in the slightest.

Originally Posted by parkinmj

eliminate it one step further swap the ht leads between the coils and try again. and the do the same with the plug caps you wikll then be able to say what component is failing and get it replaced.

if when you change the coils over it still doesnt work then you may have a wire thats shorting trace the wires back and check there condition use a multi-meter to check the continuity if you find that its a wire you can either buy a replacement or splice a new wire in.

Tried the above yet?

Originally Posted by Baph

Tried the above yet?

Not had chance yet, will give it a try when I can.

I've noticed the HT lead and coil looks to be one solid unit?

I would take a guess at either, you aren't getting a strong spark, or its your compression!

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

I would take a guess at either, you aren't getting a strong spark, or its your compression!

Its got compression, plenty of air popping out of the spark plug hole and the odd POP BANG.