[ValkRdr]

I am DonnaM's husband...just wanted to give you an update on our experience with her Rune running rich. After the incident at the Hoot, where Hoville changed plugs only...had it happen again about 100 mikles into a poker run, got it home, pulled the (practically new) plugs and cleaned them, rode fine the next day to lunch (approx 100 mi.), was running just great, upon starting to come home, black smoke, very rough idle, etc. After getting out on I95 at 85, it seemed to clear up. Few days later, she fired it up to ride to work, no joy...dealer had the bike for a week, replaced MAP sensor, bike ran 4.0. She is currently on the last day of a week long trip of riding in NY, Ver, and NH. Bike has run flawlessly...until today. Same problem. Only thing that is different on this trip is it rained today. I must say that rain has played a part in these events except for the first time. At the Hoot, we rode to the Wheels through Time museum on Wednesday, rode 70 mi. back in a monsoon, no problem. Next day, went to Cumberland Gap, no rain, but she laid it over while turning around on an incline. No apparent problem, until about 10 miles later, when it began running rough, finally quitting, we had to rescue it (75mi from Kville, HRCA wanted to take the bike to Greenville, closest dealer). While on the poker run, it rained but not while riding...problem started about 15 miles from last stop, where we sat out a torrential downpour for about 2 hours. Next day, just slight rain. And now today. She is fed up with the bike and Honda. She was calling them, but I haven't heard back to see what happened. She wants to leave the bike in Albany, and have them ship it home, give her a new one, or give her money back...from what I've seen on the board, none of these scenarios will play out. I guess the throttle bodies are next. BTW, our dealer is Honda of Jacksonville, the one that Blew Rune is so fond of. When it took it in, I told them to change oil...she picked it up, oil change was not on the bill, when she questioned this, they told her "Honda took care of it for you."

Also, she was basically not moving when it fell over, no significant damage, bent Rivco peg, scratched bottom of exhaust, but it did crack the bottom of the radiator cowling. Drilled the crack, but it will eventually have to be replaced. Sorry this is so long...

 

[frankvalk1]

black smoke

I`m the author of the original Big black smoke and thought i`d give you an update. Since replacement of the throttle bodies-since the sensor in question can not be replaced independently- the bike has run great. Like you i was throughly disgusted at one point. Actually my enthusiasm for the Rune has been perminantly damaged, although i still love the bike.
My Interstate has been to Daytona a dozed times with 80,000 miles on it. The first time i rode the Rune there it malfunctions. Maybe better times ahead. Leaves me wondering wich one to ride to Biketoberfest this year. Once again i report no problems since replacement of throttle bodies. Bike was never down and dealer reported no moisture in electrical connectors or any other effected area. Good luck

 

[RUNE102]

RUNE TROUBLES

Sorry to hear about your problems. My B/C Rune just turned 1year old and has over 15,000 trouble free miles on it. That includes an (almost) 1200 mile one-day run and a 1600 mile 2 day run. (800 each day).

Do you have a lemon law in your state? If so, I would use it. But get another RUNE, they are not all like that.

 

[Rich Oas]

Big Black Smoke - Alert

Well... after 7500 miles of absoultely great and trouble free riding...the big black smoke monster bit me.... Here are a couple unusual circumstances which preceeded the problem. It is very possible that none or all of them could have contributed.

Wed - 8/19 - caught in rain - sought cover - actually stayed relatively dry - no symptoms. rode additional 50 miles after rain.

Thu -8/19 2pm - gassed up at remote filling station (bad 92 octane gas???) - no symptoms

Thu - 8/19 4 pm - washed bike at car wash... not high pressure but high volume - left the bike running while I washed it - no symptoms - rode a total of 180 milesafter fill up. First time I left the bike running while washing.

Fri - 8/20 - 11am - washed bike at car wash (hit a bug storm Thu)... not high pressure but high volume - left the bike running while I washed it (I do think this may be the cause) - rode 120 miles - first symtom.

Started engine...ok ... suddenly the revs dropped as if it needed choke. I squeezed the throttle a bit and the rev's picked back up and seemed to idle ok... this was after filling with gas...my first thought was "big black smoke" issue I read about here... why? ..because the sputter was combined with a noted drop from 35-40 MPG to a little under 30 MPG.

Rode for 5 miles and as I let off the throttle to turn into a parking lot the bike stalled. I was able to restart but it would not idle without increasing throttle and revving... terror struck... I was 10 miles from home and figured I would try to get there. By keeping the revs up I was able to get the bike moving. As long as the revs were up the bike seemed to run good. I thought I would burn out whatever the problem was.. Whenever I let down on the throttle and the revs dropped to what would be an idle, the bike stalled. Lots of black smoke - terror... :shock:

Next morning Sat 8/21 I was planning a ride but figured I would see how it was running and try to get the 45 miles to my dealer. Very rough starting, sounding and smelling...like Friday, when I got the revs up it seemed to run great . I didn't notice any power drop at the higher revs and speeds... 10 miles from the dealer as I slowed down for some stop lights and traffic I noticed that the problem seemed to have moved up the rev curve... it was now sputtering at higher revs.... by the time I reached the dealer I was blowing black smoke and the bike was spitting and sputtering.... :shock:

Dealer looked things over, cleaned the plugs and still had the problem.. I showed their service guy Ray this web site and he read the original postings and the items above on this list. He couldn't reach HONDA Tech - Saturday... so the bike will be there until they find out options this week. Scott at the dealership (Scooter's Motorsports - Marquette ,MI) gave me a used 1300 VTX to take for the weekend -so altho I didn't get to ride my RUNE and am very concerned about getting it back asap... the weekend wasn't a total loss..I did get to ride. A real customer oriented dealer.

Sooooo! - I do feel that washing the bike with the engine running may be what triggered this... It would have simulated a torrential downpour and maybe something happened as a result.... But then as my Dad always says ... it's not what you don't know that hurts you.. it's what you know for sure that ain't so that hurts. Any feedback from those who have gone before me with this problem that can add to this appreciated...we all seem to be thinking water is the culprit... Sure hope I get my bike back soon and to 100%....

Safe Riding
Rich

 

[frankvalk1]

My dealer made a special effort to check for any signs of moisture before the throttle bodies were replaced and found none. Seems unlikely to me that moisture would cause failure of a sensor that is in the throttle bodies.

 

[WIZ]

wash my bke every week no probs......

 

[f6rider]

i bought my rune sight un seen. it was blowing black smoke and running with a hesitation. i drove it around for a few miles and i would just not go away even after sme good thrashing.
I turned it off and filled it up with 94 octane wa la i ran great. i do have reason to bieve that the bike was dropped as well. what does all this mean?? i dont have a clue...
also, ihave been caught in the rain a bunch of times and for some extended periods(on my way to erwin) with no problems...
in ohio if you have the same problem 3 or 4 times you can apply to a state appointed arbiration board for posssible buy back..I dont know if this aplys to motorcycle's... check your states attorney general office.

john wodarski

 

[Rich Oas]

TPS

In every case of BBS so far...if the problem gets progressively worse....the cause has been the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). I have read of a few who had some smoke but with fuel change or running time the problem got better.... This bike leans far to the left when on the kick stand and maybe allows the oil to migrate to the 3 cyliders on that side... I have thought that may be the reason for some smoke on start ups....excessive oil on that side of the engine....burning some off when starting. Regardless....if the problem gets progressively worse...it is probably the TPS....It is like porn...you will know BBS when see it....think of the semi tractor when you see it billow black smoke on start up....it will get that bad... :shock:

 

[WIZ]

have been real lucky no bbs just soot........