Urgent I'm Stranded In Peru Ktm 990 Won't Start!!!

Hi guys...

My friend's KTM Aventure 990 just died on us today. We need help urgently.

This how it happened:

Almost ran out of fuel in el Cañón del Pato so had to buy from a can

Bike started to miss a bit. It stalled a couple of times but started right up.

Got to Huaráz ok.

Changed oil (By the way, are the gear box and engine oils separated on this bike? if so how do you put oil back into the gear box how much and what kind?) dissasembaled gas tanks to empty them and wash them.

Put everythig back together and the bike won't start. Double checked everything... no go.

The electric starter works fine, engine turns but doesn`t start.

Please advise.

Balam

With how many miles?



Sounds like your fuel pump. Some people have been able to get there fuel pump to come back to life with a little cleaning.

There's only one oil reservoir. If you drained it, but didn't chage the filters, you only need 3L to fill it. The oil reservoir cover has a dipstick to measure it.

If you washed the fuel tanks, it could be because of poor fuel quality or something, right? Maybe the fuel filters got clogged and there's no fuel going into the injection system. Have you tried feeding the system directly without using the bike's tanks? Bad fuel pump is also a symptom.

Bike has 20 k miles on it. Too son I think for pump faliure... or mayb enot.

When the key is turned on the classic humming of the pump getting up to pressure can be heard. Even with this the pump can be the culprit???

How do you clen a semi dead pump???

Thanks for such quick responses!!!

Balam

My fuel pump went out right around the same mileage. My friend took it apart pretty simple you will see, he cleaned I think there called the connecting points and was able to use it as a spare for a week or so why he waited for a replacement.


With the humming its a hard call where to start. My friend picked up on the lack of humming and went right for my fuel pump, and he was right.

Did you remember to open the petcocks after installing the tanks again?
It is just one of those things I've seen overlooked (and done myself)
Other than that, maybe still dealing with bad gas. Flush out the pump and lines.

Hi Juan,
It should be easy to check if your fuel pump is working.
Take the left tank off, leaving the electric connected and take the fuel line off the pump. Turn the key on and you will see if gas is coming out of the pump.
If the pump is good, and flowing gas you might have dirt clogging your
injectors.
There is a good KTM dealer in Lima with capable mechanics.
You can also look on Horizons Unlimited in the communities sections for
help. I see there is someone in Huaraz in the Peru community.We were there
last year and there are a lot of off road clubs so I am sure you will find a
friend to help you solve you problem.
Motoriders Club Del Peru is one group you could try to get in touch with.
KTMPeru.com in Lima I think Diego is the owner and he is very knowledge-
able and will help you in any way he can.
It sounds like you have a small issue that will be solved in short order and
you will be traveling again soon.
Twist It, Max

We haven't had any reports of the high pressure pump on in the 990's fuel tank failing yet. There is a filter in tandem with the pump that "may" be clogged. You must remove the pump from the tank to get at it.

You "washed" the tanks? What with????
Did you then flush them out with clean petrol, or is some of whatever you washed the tanks with now stuck in the fuel filter/line/pump/ system and needs cleaning out??

Definately sounds like a fuel problem, the likely cause being contamination.
Myself and a friend both had identical symtoms on our 950's after a fill up - uneven running, poor throttle response, stalling, etc. Filled up with decent fuel at the next stop and the bikes were back to normal. We suspect there was probably water or some other contaminent in the fuel.

Get some good clean fuel, rinse out the tanks, remove the pump and clean the filter and reassemble.
With fuel in the tank but the hose disconnected flick the ignition on and off a few times to draw clean fuel through the pump. Hopefully this will purge most of the old fuel out of the system.

Your fuel filter may be waterlogged ... any filter that fits is an acceptable replacement.

Turn the ignition on after opening the line to purge the fuel pump and lines.
CAUTION: The fuel will shoot several feet.

I could easily see overlooking this step. double check that you turn all three back on.
Cheers

KTM PERU
AV BENAVIDES 2854 MIRAFLORES LIMA
1 260 8854
Don,t know how good they are but you can also try Tators I,ve used him a couple of times and so have my mates he,s right next to the Honda dealer in Miraflores here,s the address
Desert Racing
Colina 480
Miraflores Lima
1 241 0484 or 1 445 0462 the one is the code for Lima
He pulled the carbs off my 950 cleaned them out put in an extra inline filter and charged me $30 for the pleasure.
Albert theturtleshead

Oh yeah gas in Peru is notoriously crappy:huh been there done that

Yes your right those guys at Desert Racing are great and the Honda shop
is well equipped.

djmase: very good tip, let's hope his solution is that easy.
cpmodem: I've just read about a 990 fuel pump failing on a fellows trip from the
U.K. to S.E.Asia, while he was in western China. seems like it seized a bearing.
He was successful in freeing it up and finished his trip. Check out BlueUK's thread
down the page in the O.C.
Twist it MAX

I just checked out the 990 fuel pump and filter set :eek1
KTM wants $469.00 for the pump and the dirty dogs want over $100.00
for the filter set which installs in the pump housing. I intended on carrying
a spare on my RTW next year but these prices are outrageous.
MAX

Maybe we need to find an alternate.

I think they (KTM) got by the short hairs.
MAX

I think the selling price of used 950's with carbs and those crappy $120 fuel pumps hanging off the bottom of the battery case that you have to replace every 10k miles just went up.

I wouldn't mind seeing someone convert a 990 to carbs.
Just sayin'