ignition coils

[pahako]

Hi everyone, first post here. I have been a xs650 owner for a while now but, have recently aquired a 79 xs1100 special and am working on getting it started. Took care of all the usual carb issues and, still no start. Checked for spark, and got decent spark from #1, no spark on 2 and 3, and intermittent weak spark on #4. Before I go out and spend money on new coils and plug wires, I just wanted to make sure I am not missing anything else. Also what is the proper way to test the coils?

Thanks

Paul

[BA80]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=583

You could also be having a pickup coil issue.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=543

That'll give you a good place to start. 2 and 3 run off the same ignition coil and pickup coil.

[DGXSER]

Check reisstance on the coils for 15k ohms across the high side and 1.5 ohm across the low side. The 15k is with the spark plug caps removed. Each cap is worth 5k ohms, so with both caps would be 25k ohms. The older coils (78-80) were 1.5 ohm coils, in 81 they went to 3 ohm coils. With the 1.5 ohm coils there is a ballast resistor worth 1.5 ohms in the circuit.

If the coils read fine, then check the pick-up coils. Wiggle wires while you check ohms.

The stock coils do not have replacable plug wires. That is one reason I like the replacement coils. I tend to go cheaper with the Honda VF1000 coils.

[motoman]

+1 with the VF coils. Most any of the VF series Honda coils are 'plug and play' for the 81 XS11's. They are 3ohm and can just un-solder original plug-ins from the tired Yammy coils to the Honda coils. Both sets of my Yammy coils had internal failings after almost thirty years with 2.3-4ohms....not good. A plus is you get to make up a set of new solid core 7mm wires,color choice being optional.

[fredintoon]

Hi everyone, first post here. I have been a xs650 owner for a while now but, have recently aquired a 79 xs1100 special and am working on getting it started. Took care of all the usual carb issues and, still no start. Checked for spark, and got decent spark from #1, no spark on 2 and 3, and intermittent weak spark on #4. Before I go out and spend money on new coils and plug wires, I just wanted to make sure I am not missing anything else. Also what is the proper way to test the coils?
Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul and welcome,
like they said, it may be the wires from the ignition triggers are broken, check that first.
Aftermarket coils will give a hotter spark anyway so if in doubt, swap them out.
Note that the stock coils have 1.5 Ohm resistance and most likely the replacements will be 3 Ohm. Pull the 2 red/white wires off the resistor and plug them together.
Check that the dreaded PO didn't already fit 3 Ohm aftermarket coils but kept the resistor in circuit.
After Mr Stupid finally noticed that his PO had done that very thing and did the correction my bike ran much better.

[tweeleft]

You might try unscrewing the plug caps off the wires and cutting about a 1/4 inch off. Then rescrew them back on.

[pahako]

Thanks for all the replies. I found a break in one of the pick up coil wires that had been fixed before. Soldered it back together with some temporary wire and, I now have spark on all 4 cylinders. Haven't got the bike started yet do to the fact that I found a fuel leak when putting the tank back on. Hopefully tomorrow I can get this beast running.
Does anyone know what the proper gauge and stranding of the pick up coil wire is so I can get a more permanent fix, or even where to get it?

[fredintoon]

- - - Does anyone know what the proper gauge and stranding of the pick up coil wire is so I can get a more permanent fix, or even where to get it?

Hi Paul,
that wire needs to be real flexible, to have lotsa thin wires rather than a few fat ones.
A readily available source is the leads from a multi-meter.

[pahako]

Success. The bike fires up no problem. Ignition coils seem to be within specs. Took it out for a ride today without a seat (30 inseam). Now I can start focusing on all the other issues that are popping up.
Are there any parts suppliers for these bikes other than the dealer for gaskets and things like that? I need a new O ring for the oil filter too.

[BA80]

Most quality oil filters will come with new O rings.

Yamabond or threebond 1194 will work in place of most of the gaskets. What gaskets do you need?

[pahako]

Most quality oil filters will come with new O rings.

Yamabond or threebond 1194 will work in place of most of the gaskets. What gaskets do you need?

I have a massive oil leak when the bike is running, and I can't tell if it is from the oil filter or the pan at the bottom of the engine. All bolts are tight but, it only leaks when running.

[BA80]

I have a massive oil leak when the bike is running, and I can't tell if it is from the oil filter or the pan at the bottom of the engine. All bolts are tight but, it only leaks when running.

If it only leaks when it's running it's probably because it's leaking from somewhere with oil pressure. That would most likely be the oil filter cup. pull the cup off and check to see if the spot is obvious.

If you go get a new filter it should come with a new O ring for the edge of the cup and a new one for the bolt. Here's a list of oil filter part #s in the after market. Be sure and check in the box and be sure every thing is there before you buy it.

If the parts house doesn't have it they can usually get it. Oreillys usually carries them in stock.

Autozone SP2

Napa 4933

STP SMO-2

Wix 24933

Fram CH6002

[pahako]

Thanks for all the great info.

Paul

[MaximPhil]

Thanks for all the great info.

Paul

Hi Paul,
Your oil filter housing may not be seated properly or the oring got pinched as it was tightened. When you get that new filter let the O ring sit for some time to take its correct shape. I find pushing the cup UP once the bolt has a few threads in and hold it while you tighten the bolt.
Phil