Oscillocopes

[Andym535]

Ever since I first came across them in the Physics lab at school I've been fascinated by oscilloscopes. No decent SciFi film or Dr Who episode would be without one displaying some sort of waveform or other.

So, I had to have at least one of those to add to my toy collection. I've recently added an automotive oscilloscope to my collection. This is a capture device and a PC program, with a load of car/bike/lawnmower specific probes and tests. It can give an alternative view to that from a GS-911, which is great for telling you what the ECU thinks is happening. As an example, you can get the dwell time from the GS-911 but it had no way of knowing what the burn time is. This is a secondary ignition trace taken using a COP probe held over the #4 coil on my K1300S.




It would be interesting to see what difference, if any, changing the plugs makes or if this can detect a failing coil pack.

[Phmode]

Now all you need is a sonic screwdriver and a bike with a failing coil pack...

[Andym535]

Sonic screwdriver... maybe that’s how you’re supposed to undo screws with that stupid micro encapsulated thread lock stuff on them.

[Costas]

If ypu have a data base with readings and then investigate for a faulty coil most certainly you'll notice the defective one. But is it worth the trouble. But after all its a hobby so yes its worth any trouble , always.

[Andym535]

If ypu have a data base with readings and then investigate for a faulty coil most certainly you'll notice the defective one. But is it worth the trouble. But after all its a hobby so yes its worth any trouble , always.

Some samples of good and bad to be able to compare would be useful. Getting an ignition trace isn't that much trouble as you don't need to remove the coil pack or the plug, just the fairing side panel.

[TomL]

I have various automotive scopes but none with COP pickups.

Check the trace off your lambda sensor. That is always very informative.

[sudolea]

...
Check the trace off your lambda sensor. That is always very informative.

I can very well believe so ! Of my former K1300S, a coil failed. It was replaced, but 18000 km later, on a holiday trip, another coil failed. The French mechanics found out that the coil was not the only failure, and pinpointed at the failing lambda sensor. Ever since, I've always suspected that the lambda sensor had already been defective at the first coil's failure, but that it had never been noticed by my dealer's mechanics.

[Andym535]

This seems so unlikely that I've got to try it, just to find out if it's true or not...

Pico sell a pressure sensor, that they call the 'First Look' sensor. Basically you stick it up the exhaust or connect it to the intake manifold then look at the pressure waveform with the engine running. It, apparently, can detect problems with valves and injectors. If that is true it would be pretty interesting and with a reference waveform you could, perhaps, see if your valves really need adjustment or not without taking anything apart.

More interestingly, the Interweb suggests that you can make your own version of the sensor from a £2 piezo buzzer, some tube fittings and a hot melt glue gun. Said objects are on their way from Amazon. Place your bets on the outcome of this experiment!

[richtea]

I'll put my £5 on a melted sensor as the initial result. 

But good luck trying it - sounds v interesting.

[TomL]

Good luck with that one.

[TomK1300s]

I have this and would say don’t waste your time, even with your Pico connected to a 50 inch monitor, it is hard to make out any of the exhaust pulsation data, and this is with the Pico sensor.

[Phmode]

Aw, c'mon guys! Have a little faith.

I say it will work brilliantly and we'll all want on. Or two if they do melt but work for a pico-second...