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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142303
07/27/18 05:45 AM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 18
AlexK
OP
Junior Member
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OP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 18 |
The Caltric stator has gone bad I think. No spark at all. The bike was idling for 3 seconds and then just stopped. At least it happened at the truck! It lasted 6 months lol. It's not the coil since I tried another one and still no spark. Ordered OEM stator and will install tomorrow.
I have another XT225 (2003) and it has a weak spark too! Hard starting especially when hot. Only 3700 miles on this bike. One thing I just tried is decreasing the spark plug gap. It was 0.025". I reduced the gap a bit to I don't know what since my tool's smallest size is 0.025". Now it starts right up. So keep in mind this could be a band-aid solution to weak spark.
2001 XT225, 2013 KTM 500 XCW
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142304
07/27/18 01:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623
Muniac
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623 |
I've had a similar experience with stators. Documented in Bike Problems. My bike's stator died a slow death with erratic temperature dependent performance. Jeannie's just died one day before a ride. These were OEM stators at about 10k miles. Replaced them with OEM stators, now with about 4k miles. All is fine so far.
If a stator pukes, you'll be pushing your bike.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142315
07/28/18 06:31 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,114
Paul49
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,114 |
Would a volt meter give us a bit of warning as to when the stator might be on its way out?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-Digital-LED-Panel-Voltmeter-Voltage-Meter-Display-For-Car-Motorcycle-Boat/192486623119?epid=22010391219&hash=item2cd118c78f:g:MlsAAOSwaMpZnAEV
Current: 1958 Ariel 650 FH, 2014 Tiger Sport1050, 1995 XT225 Serow, 2016 Tiger 800 XRx.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142316
07/28/18 07:04 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,168
peejman
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,168 |
It might. I suppose you could do the ohm checks periodically and track the results to see how it's changing over time.
This shall pass, be still and know. 2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142321
07/28/18 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623
Muniac
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623 |
It's the magneto coil integrated into the stator that usually goes bad. It's wound with very fine wire (.004"). Coil resistance measurements are in the manual as:
Stator coil 0.48 -> 0.72 ohms (approx). Magneto coil 584 -> 876 ohms (approx) @ 68F. Pulser coil 656 -> 984 ohms (approx) @ 68F.
I'm told the stator and pulser coils rarely go bad. That leaves the magneto coil as the most probable "coil" related failure.
These coils are immersed in oil. They are subject to wide temperature swings. My theory is the oil breaks down the magnet wire's varnish causing windings to short out. This reduces resistance and the coil's ability to produce power. The coil may also open up completely. If you get a good resistance measurement cold, that isn't a guarantee the coil is good. Heat causes things to expand which can change the dynamic. A magneto coil can fail slowly too. This was the case for my bike. Jeannie's bike just quit suddenly. Same exact bikes with similar trail miles. I also think, for all its virtues, synthetic oil may hasten dielectric breakdown. Can't prove that, it's just a gut feeling watching it wick around gaskets. Meaning the oil can get into spaces dino grades can't. Mostly good, sometimes bad.
An open circuit or very low resistance is telling of problems. Worth checking to see what's going on. I guess you could heat up the bike and take another resistance reading. Manual doesn't spec out a "hot" reading, however. Copper will increase its resistance as it heats. I guess you could find its temperature coefficient and do some math to get a hot resistance estimate. Not knowing how much wire is wound in the coil won't make the job any easier. I'd wild ass guess the oil temperature to be 275F for a hot bike. Has anyone measured it to set me straight?
Magneto coils tend to be somewhat of a crap shoot predicting and/or preventing problems. Wide range of behavior too. If you can see your way clear, replace a suspect stator and use OEM parts. Good luck.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142332
07/29/18 04:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 672
#brer15
Silver Member
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Silver Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 672 |
I have over 27,000 miles on the original oem stator. No issues. Most of my riding is on the street in high gear. And never use synthetic oil.
2004 XT225 purchased new in October 2004 0 miles. Current miles over 27,000.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: Muniac]
#142344
07/30/18 02:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,168
peejman
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,168 |
I'd wild ass guess the oil temperature to be 275F for a hot bike. Has anyone measured it to set me straight? I recall some past threads where oil temps were measured in the 250F range during desert heat type conditions. 275F would be awfully hot. My experience with water cooled engines is that oil temp follows pretty well with water temp. Obviously there will be local hot spots (such as at the head), but bulk sump temp should remain below 250F. I'd guess sump would be in the 180-220F range during "normal" use. http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=126717&page=1http://www.xt225.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=89165&page=1
This shall pass, be still and know. 2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142347
07/30/18 06:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623
Muniac
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,623 |
Thanks for the clarification. I just remember water hitting the engine case and it vigorously boiling off.
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: AlexK]
#142652
08/24/18 09:07 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 18
AlexK
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Junior Member
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OP
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Posts: 18 |
The Caltric $90 stator from ebay definitely went bad after 6 months. I replaced it with a Rick's Motorsport Electrics stator ($200 directly from Ricks) and it starts right up with very bright spark. We will see how long this one lasts.
2001 XT225, 2013 KTM 500 XCW
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Re: Weak spark caused by stator
[Re: Muniac]
#145520
06/10/19 11:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 66
Bush Pig
Junior Member
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 66 |
Hi Muniac,
I am having a similar problem but with what I believe may be an older model than the one discussed in this thread. I have a 1987 that is having trouble starting. My electrical guy needs to know the resistance on both windings in the magneto coil. Does this make any sense. I have a Haynes for the bike but this covers the later model XT225's so the resistance may be different.
Bush Pig
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Board Upgrade:
Board upgrade to V7.7.3 has been completed on Monday Feb 3rd 2020. Ride safely.
Enjoy the new software!
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