Honda VTX 1300 / VTX 1800 Motorcycles Forum banner

04 1800c 53,000 miles...

1439 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  PaXman11
I'm having an issue with my x (no, not her...the good x) it's an intermittent problem that comes and goes and it's either fuel or electric (I'm sure that helps a ton) ...it starts and idles like a champ, head out for a ride and usually after about 15 or so minutes later at lower r.p.m. it starts to sputter, almost feels like I dropped a cylinder, but when I throttle it up (increase the r.p.m.) it accelerates normally with no issues and it runs like it should...then it will happen again and I go through the same process and all is well for a while and it happens again, I did the ground fix thinking that might be it, but it wasn't...so, I'm leaning to a bad coil about to go "south" but I'm not much of a mechanic and I know that some on this site are extremely knowledgeable and may have encountered the problem and help to point me in the right direction as so for it hasn't left me stranded...but I know it's coming!.... and if the fix is above my "paygrade" and you know of a good v.t.x. guy/gal in the Ft.Myers area, please pass that info along as well! Many thanx!
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
I'm having an issue with my x (no, not her...the good x) it's an intermittent problem that comes and goes and it's either fuel or electric (I'm sure that helps a ton) ...it starts and idles like a champ, head out for a ride and usually after about 15 or so minutes later at lower r.p.m. it starts to sputter, almost feels like I dropped a cylinder, but when I throttle it up (increase the r.p.m.) it accelerates normally with no issues and it runs like it should...then it will happen again and I go through the same process and all is well for a while and it happens again, I did the ground fix thinking that might be it, but it wasn't...so, I'm leaning to a bad coil about to go "south" but I'm not much of a mechanic and I know that some on this site are extremely knowledgeable and may have encountered the problem and help to point me in the right direction as so for it hasn't left me stranded...but I know it's coming!.... and if the fix is above my "paygrade" and you know of a good v.t.x. guy/gal in the Ft.Myers area, please pass that info along as well! Many thanx!
You might have one of the (not all) 2004's that got the original fuel pressure regulators. AKA: FPR. Easily replaced for around $45-$50 through Honda. These go bad from time and aging, not from high miles or abuse. The small diaphragms develop cracks and cause rough running, hard start, mileage cut in half. Worth checking out. Use "search" for FPR for more details regarding info.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
You might have one of the (not all) 2004's that got the original fuel pressure regulators. AKA: FPR. Easily replaced for around $45-$50 through Honda. These go bad from time and aging, not from high miles or abuse. The small diaphragms develop cracks and cause rough running, hard start, mileage cut in half. Worth checking out. Use "search" for FPR for more details regarding info.
Thank you PaXman11 for your input...I will start there and see where it takes me...for 50 bucks, worth the gamble! much appreciated!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Thank you PaXman11 for your input...I will start there and see where it takes me...for 50 bucks, worth the gamble! much appreciated!
Hey PaXman11...finally got the FPR and installed it this weekend, went for a test and unfortunately after about 15 minutes in, it started acting the same way, so I'm back to square one...not sure if this is a reach but I am also having a bit of an issue with the start button...pulled it apart for clean up a couple years ago(and I will clean and lube again) but now sometimes I need to push the button a few times before it will turn the starter over and a couple of times the starter stayed engaged but when I tap the start button it turns the starter off...can't imagine that has anything to do with the power loss problem...plus the power loss only happens after the bike heats up and it's intermittent...plus as soon as I downshift to higher RPM's it runs fine, I will start searching old forum letters to see if I can find another direction to the problem ..thanx again for at least trying...you were the only response I received!
Hey PaXman11...finally got the FPR and installed it this weekend, went for a test and unfortunately after about 15 minutes in, it started acting the same way, so I'm back to square one...not sure if this is a reach but I am also having a bit of an issue with the start button...pulled it apart for clean up a couple years ago(and I will clean and lube again) but now sometimes I need to push the button a few times before it will turn the starter over and a couple of times the starter stayed engaged but when I tap the start button it turns the starter off...can't imagine that has anything to do with the power loss problem...plus the power loss only happens after the bike heats up and it's intermittent...plus as soon as I downshift to higher RPM's it runs fine, I will start searching old forum letters to see if I can find another direction to the problem ..thanx again for at least trying...you were the only response I received!
Have you done the "Ground Fix"? Not hard to do, and it solves some problems such as yours. Use Search for Ground Fix.
Have you done the "Ground Fix"? Not hard to do, and it solves some problems such as yours. Use Search for Ground Fix.
Ya...that was the first thing I tried after reading the forum...it's just such a goofy problem... has to be hot.... and it's intermittent...higher RPM and it runs fine but a little more backfire on decel ...I'll keep looking through posts...I'm back to 2012 so far!
Ya...that was the first thing I tried after reading the forum...it's just such a goofy problem... has to be hot.... and it's intermittent...higher RPM and it runs fine but a little more backfire on decel ...I'll keep looking through posts...I'm back to 2012 so far!
Have you considered different fuel, like from a different station or brand? Have you tried any additives like Seafoam, or Startron blue? Gotta eliminate the easy stuff first. I'm no expert, but we do have a few on here maybe they'll chime in. I know what I've experienced with my C and 11 years.
Hey Bud...thanx, I will order some seafoam, try the cheap stuff first...I sure hate going to the garage and seeing it parked but I really don't have a ton of confidence in bike shops ..they just do what I'm doing, throw it against the wall and see if it sticks... I sure hope I can find out what sticks before having to turn the bike over to some knucklehead that "guesses for a living!" Thanx again for your help!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Hey Bud...thanx, I will order some seafoam, try the cheap stuff first...I sure hate going to the garage and seeing it parked but I really don't have a ton of confidence in bike shops ..they just do what I'm doing, throw it against the wall and see if it sticks... I sure hope I can find out what sticks before having to turn the bike over to some knucklehead that "guesses for a living!" Thanx again for your help!
Hey Bud...tried the Berryman B-12 injector cleaner but no change...I am convinced it is electrical...computer or whatever when it gets hot is breaking down and causing the spitting coughing at low R.P.M. because when I drop down a gear, increasing the R.P.M's it performs as it should...not sure if a local mechanic will have the diagnostic tools to figure this one out and as much as I hate the thought, I think back to the dealer is my best bet...won't be cheap but hopefully they will find the answer...just wanted to thank you for at least "jumping in" to try and help (you were the only one!) Thanx again!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Hey Bud...tried the Berryman B-12 injector cleaner but no change...I am convinced it is electrical...computer or whatever when it gets hot is breaking down and causing the spitting coughing at low R.P.M. because when I drop down a gear, increasing the R.P.M's it performs as it should...not sure if a local mechanic will have the diagnostic tools to figure this one out and as much as I hate the thought, I think back to the dealer is my best bet...won't be cheap but hopefully they will find the answer...just wanted to thank you for at least "jumping in" to try and help (you were the only one!) Thanx again!
Sorry about your troubles, you may wanna ask local riders if they recommend a shop near you, all you need is 1 good mechanic it’ll restore your faith in the profession, good luck and please let us know what the problem is if you get it fixed!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I had a similar problem at one time. Bought some ac Delco rapid-fire #5 spark plugs to trouble shoot. I read in the forums that the iridium plugs are good for 100,000 miles, so I looked every else for the problem. Then I found out the 5's are a direct cross reference and figured spending 25 bucks for a set was worth the troubleshooting. Plugs took care of the problem. Ran them for about a month while I ordered a new set of factory iridium. Now I keep them on hand so I have a known good set for trouble shooting.
I had a similar problem at one time. Bought some ac Delco rapid-fire #5 spark plugs to trouble shoot. I read in the forums that the iridium plugs are good for 100,000 miles, so I looked every else for the problem. Then I found out the 5's are a direct cross reference and figured spending 25 bucks for a set was worth the troubleshooting. Plugs took care of the problem. Ran them for about a month while I ordered a new set of factory iridium. Now I keep them on hand so I have a known good set for trouble shooting.
While it's true that the Iridium plugs are "good" for 100K, that doesn't mean someone, like you, can't have a problem with one or more going 'bad'. Glad you figured what was wrong and will have many more trouble free miles & smiles.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Top