Just purchased an 88 Paso last week in St. Louis, Missouri. I drove it to San Diego (1,955 miles). It was a great ride and the bike ran perfectly. Now that I am home, it won't start; or, if it does start, it will only run for a few seconds before dying.

The bike just had it's 12,000 mile service before I left St. Louis. Since I've been home, I changed the oil, changed spark plugs (correct ones), checked the coils for correct voltage (10., check fuel pump, cleaned the Weber Carbs, checked compression and checked every ground wire I could find.

I used the search feature on this site, but everything that came up has been tried.

I'm getting air, fuel, and spark....what else could be wrong? I'm pretty much at my end on looking at this thing. I called Ducati in downtown San Diego today but they are unable to look at it until 04 October. I leave to back to Iraq on 02 October and would really like to ride the bike.

If anyone is able to help online or in person, please let me know. I have gone through the owner's manual and the shop manual for the bike, but am unable to figure this thing out. It is such an fun/unusual bike, it is a shame to let it sit in the garage with such good riding weather outside.

Sounds like lack of fuel. Go back and make sure the fuel pump is operating and the filter is allowing fuel thru. Is the tap on the tank open??

I went back and ensured the petcock on the fuel tank is open. I cycled the fuel pump and it is pumping a substantial amount of fuel. I also attached an additional fuel line back to the inlet at the top of the tank and hooked the fuel pump to a separate 12V source to ensure that it is pumping for extended periods of time and let it run for 20 minutes (recycling fuel back into the fuel tank). With a guage on the line, I have 6psi of pulsing fuel load just like a carburated fuel pump should have.

Is there an easy way to check the jets on the carbs/what is the best way to clear them with compressed air?

I'm not much of a carb guy; but, I can trouble shoot the hell out of any BMW Motronic system.

What a frustrating experience for you, mate!

I know nothing about the Weber carb - my bike has DelOrtos - but it does sound a little like fuel. If you took the whole carb apart, maybe something is not quite right with the re-assembly. If a jet is blocked, soaking the assembly in carbcleen and blowing compressed air through it may work. If you can't find what the problem is, the fact that it's a car carb might mean you can get some help outside the Ducati organisation, like at a mainstream auto or carb service.

Good luck!

Could it be the dreaded Voltage regulator/rectifier. That sounded pretty much like my paso did when the Reg/Rec was starting to go. Could be worth checking this out.

I had a similar problem when I had left the bike to sit for quite a while, although I have Dell Ortos.

What happened was that the needle valves got stuck in an "almost closed" state. By this I mean that the fuel would only seep past these valves. I could start her up and run for between 30 seconds and a minute (depending on the throttle opening) before the fuel in the float bowl was used up. By the time I stripped the carb it was full again. Very frustrating.

To prove this I took the bodywork, tank and air filters off. I made up a container with a tube that was full of fuel and dribbled this in through the carb mouths. It would then run, if a little roughly (extrememly roughly really).

I ended up cleaning the needle valves but they kept gumming up so I had to replace them.

Just a suggestion of something to check.

Paul

After carb disassembly and extreme cleaning, it is now running again. Although a bit rough at times, at least I can ride it. Thanks for all your help and encouragement.

Next spring, or when I get back from Iraq, I'll swap out the Webers and install the Mikuni setup. I also have the Goodridge SS brake lines to install and quick release clamps for the body work.

I know everyone likes pictures, so here is a picture of my toy:

:thumbup:


Good news! And a good-looking bike!

I found the Weber would work fine, if rejetted (especially the e-tubes) cleaned really well and setup properly.
Plugs and ignition are also important, and work hand in hand with the carburation.