New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

[Huzo]

Pretty much all the 1400’s are identical. Just wheels, paint and accessories, or lack thereof, are different. The MGX-21 had the fairing, the 21” front wheel and different body panels and saddlebags. 

The engine architecture, afaik, from 2014 to 2020 were the same. They added an external air pump on the later ones. But that shouldn’t affect the basic engine build. That air pump was an effort to deal with stricter emissions.

Was the perceived deficiency in the MGX, centered in or around the cam chain tensioning mechanism ?
Was Luap’s ongoing concern with his, proven to be an isolated event and not indicative of a model related issue ?

[TN Mark]

I don’t know how many 1400’s had an issue like that, or similar. I was only occasionally looking in on WG at that time. From what I do remember, only 3 1400 engines had an issue. I don’t recall if it was a timing chain, a cam or a dropped valve.

The overall engine reliability seems to be quite good. I talked with a 2014 CA Touring owner today. He has well over 70k miles without a single issue of any kind.

Those kind of reports seldom get noticed. Where every ‘issue’ tends to get blown into being much worse than they really are.

I put 105k miles on my 2012 Victory. It’s been 100% reliable 100% of the time.

I’ve put 1400 miles on my 1400 and the service warning has come on three times. This week I had all the fault codes cleared. Time will tell if the service warning comes back. The engine, in this short amount of time has been fantastic. When I bought the bike it had a dead battery. The Power Commander was wired directly to the battery instead of a switched 12VDC source. I corrected that wiring error and also installed a new battery. All the ‘stored’ fault codes could have been caused by that dead (low) battery voltage.

The 1400 engine reliability isn’t a concern to me. The Italian electrics: are. What I’ve done, since I intend on keeping the 1400 very long term, is started stocking my parts shelf. With regular maintenance items as well as the unique 1400 electrical items that I consider suspect.
Things like a 1400 dash, a demand sensor, spark plug wire sets, gaskets & o-rings for a valve adjustment.

Plus  unique items like the headlight assembly, the taillight assembly and turn signals. A gas tank, rear fender, alternator (generator), starter motor, brake, clutch and side stand switches, throttle cables etc.
Next up will be the switch gear, lamda sensors and other similar items.

My Victory parts shelf is quite similar. Both bikes, for me, are long term bikes.

[Moparnut72]

My Audace was the dropped valve example. Fortunately it happened at 500 miles. The bike had been sold but taken back by the dealer due to a fraudulent credit app. It sat on the floor for quite awhile before I went to test ride it. The manager took it out before I got there to make sure all was good, obviously it wasn't. It locked up solid while he was riding it. MG sent a replacement engine. I never had any trouble with it other than some engine installation screw ups, minor stuff. It was a great bike I just couldn't handle it anymore due to my advancing age. That model is the basis of the MGX. It had a 19" front wheel though. I still wonder if I had put an 18" on it that I could have ridden longer. I test rode an Eldorado and I don't remember experiencing any ill issues with that one. I will say that everything I heard about reliability issues lead me to purchase a V7 as a backup which wasn't needed.
kk

[TN Mark]

Thank you for this information Moparnut72.
It’s always great to get firsthand information!

[TN Mark]

The 6 month old Yuasa AGM passed a load test with flying colors. I reinstalled it and connected it back onto the Battery Tender.

I’ve only ever run 87 octagon ethanol in my bikes and the lawn mower. When my tank of 87 octane non ethanol runs out in the Eldo, I’ll refill it with 93 octane non ethanol.

I’ll see if my aging butt dyno notices the difference. Fortunately, many gas stations in this part of the country still have non ethanol gas readily available.

[Bill W]

My 1400 is rated for 90 octane minimum so I never even tried to run 87. Non ethanol is rated 90 and I have no problems ( pinging ) running it in the winter when my bike sits a lot.

[blu guzz]

mine ran 87 regular fine.  I had a 2015 and 2016 and never had an engine issue. A buddy had 130k miles on his last time I asked him. I think they are very understressed.

[TN Mark]

In the back of my mind I knew this day was coming before I ever purchased the 2016 Eldorado a year ago. Sadly, the dreaded Urgent Service and Service warnings have returned. The Urgent Service turns off using the 34534 service code. But, so far, after many attempts the Service warning has not reset. Without the Urgent Service warning it ‘shouldn’t’ go into limp mode.

I bought a new Demand Sensor a few months ago in anticipation of this issue returning. Bad demand sensors on 2014 to 2017 1400’s have been very well documented here and elsewhere.

My plan, when I can actually do the work, it is to replace the demand sensor myself and have my local Cleveland, TN dealer, HBR, then remove all old fault codes and ensure the new demand sensor and its functions are working correctly.

[Bill W]

Mark how does the bike run with the alert on?  Your GTM re flash tool can also read and erase codes.

[TN Mark]

Bill,
 
     It runs perfectly. I’ll confirm the Service light is still on today and verify it runs perfectly by taking it for a ride. It did a few months ago when this same scenario happened. The bike has essentially been in the garage connected to a Battery Tender for the last two months since I had my second knee surgery.
This weekend I’m going to try out the GTM re-flash tool. I was so thankful when you told me about the capabilities of it. Now, it’s time to learn how to actually use this valuable tool.
It’s been sitting in a box on my parts shelf for too long.

[blu guzz]

Sorry to hear of your problem.  I had a 2015 California and 2016 Eldo and neither experienced that problem. The 2015 was in limp mode, but it was a little laughable as the cut off was lowered to 4,000 rpms which still equated to 80 mph on the expressway. I might never have known except for the light.
Good luck moving forward.

[TN Mark]

My local dealer in Cleveland, TN, HBR, only wants 2 hours ($240) labor to change the demand sensor, record and remove any and all fault codes and ensure the new sensor is functioning as it should. I know I wouldn't be able to do it in 2 hours as I'd be cleaning and wiping down everything I removed and that I could get to. This would take me several hours. My biggest issue is the most I can stand is about 25 minutes at this point two months after knee replacement.

HBR has been very good to me with parts for my parts shelf etc. I'll likely remove the gas tank to replace the USB cable I have routed to the left side of the handlebars and take a look at what else is involved. One of my favorite YouTube channels is Moto Schrauber from Germany. He has videos explaining the part, the operation of it and then replacing the two end pieces, the potentiometers. I think he left the original center section in place to avoid having to loosen and then re-adjust the throttle cables. 

If HBR does it or I do it will likely depend on my upcoming work travel schedule.

[TN Mark]

Must be a Twofer Thursday. I turned the Eldorado key on a few times today and Service was ever present.
Then I hit the starter button and two things happened immediately. The bike started right up and the Service message went out.

On my 80 mile no warning lights or messages ride the bike ran perfectly.

Status: the original demand sensor is likely on its way out and won’t rectify itself. I suspect going forward the Urgent Service and Service warnings will come up more frequently until the demand sensor gets replaced.