Bike was running real bad...
Bike was running real bad...
...so I started to think I had to cancel joining the 2012 HDF Euro M&G ride.
What has happened:
Bike was serviced three weeks ago, just befor I left for a 4-days tour into the German Black Forest.
From that time, the bike started running real bad:
misfiring at a steady throttle position, popping at decel, sneezing from A/C and stalling at idle...
No loss of power when accelerating though and problems of misfiring disappeared when giving it bit of extra throttle.
As I want the bike run smooth when I go down there again next weekend for the 2012 HDF Euro M&G, I started checking out the forum, Clymer & H-D RM for possible cause(s).
Found lots of options: from contaminated fuel to malfunctioning of cranck position sensor and lots more in between...
Started running carb cleaner in my tank: no results.
Hmm what next?
Talked to my Indy who -like many posts in here- diagnosed possible worn out and leaking intake & carb seals.
Decided to have them replaced yesterday (one of the intake seals was worn out indeed).
Picked up the bike in the late afternoon and rode home, taking a detour to check out the results.
Unfortunately nothing had changed!
Went back to my Indy today and told him nothing had changed.
Asked him if the carb had to be cleaned. "No need to", he said, "did that yesterday". "Let's try an easy fix and change the (four weeks old) plugs".
So he did, I took out the bike for a test ride and problems are gone!
He even didn't charge me for the new plugs!
The moral of this story:
Although you think that new and "just out of the box" spark plugs will function well for a long time, they can leave you within a week!
Black Forest: HERE I COME!
What has happened:
Bike was serviced three weeks ago, just befor I left for a 4-days tour into the German Black Forest.
From that time, the bike started running real bad:
misfiring at a steady throttle position, popping at decel, sneezing from A/C and stalling at idle...
No loss of power when accelerating though and problems of misfiring disappeared when giving it bit of extra throttle.
As I want the bike run smooth when I go down there again next weekend for the 2012 HDF Euro M&G, I started checking out the forum, Clymer & H-D RM for possible cause(s).
Found lots of options: from contaminated fuel to malfunctioning of cranck position sensor and lots more in between...
Started running carb cleaner in my tank: no results.
Hmm what next?
Talked to my Indy who -like many posts in here- diagnosed possible worn out and leaking intake & carb seals.
Decided to have them replaced yesterday (one of the intake seals was worn out indeed).
Picked up the bike in the late afternoon and rode home, taking a detour to check out the results.
Unfortunately nothing had changed!
Went back to my Indy today and told him nothing had changed.
Asked him if the carb had to be cleaned. "No need to", he said, "did that yesterday". "Let's try an easy fix and change the (four weeks old) plugs".
So he did, I took out the bike for a test ride and problems are gone!
He even didn't charge me for the new plugs!
The moral of this story:
Although you think that new and "just out of the box" spark plugs will function well for a long time, they can leave you within a week!
Black Forest: HERE I COME!
There was no sign of any wear.
Man, if you knew how glad I am we got it fixed!
Clymer RM gives 17 (!) possible causes:
Fouled or improperly gapped spark plugs
Damaged spark plug cables
Incorrect ignition timing
Defective ignition components
An obstructed fuel line or fuel shutoff valve
Obstructed fuel filter
Clogged carburetor jets
Loose battery connection
Wiring or connector damage
Water or other contaminants in fuel
Weak or damaged valve springs
Incorrect camshaft/valve timing
A damaged valve(s)
Dirty electrical connections
Intake manifold or carburetor air leak
A plugged carburetor vent hoe
Plugged fuel tank vent system
Now you tell me where to start LOL
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
What you were describing sounded a lot like my fuel pump issue from a couple years back. When I swapped to the black-&-yellow tins, I installed a new fuel pump just because. Mid summer, bike started acting up at steady throttle/idle. On the gas wasn't an issue. Dealer had it for 3 days and couldn't figure it out. Put the old fuel pump back in and it's been smooth ever since...
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Euclid
...so I started to think I had to cancel joining the 2012 HDF Euro M&G ride.
What has happened:
Bike was serviced three weeks ago, just befor I left for a 4-days tour into the German Black Forest.
From that time, the bike started running real bad:
misfiring at a steady throttle position, popping at decel, sneezing from A/C and stalling at idle...
No loss of power when accelerating though and problems of misfiring disappeared when giving it bit of extra throttle.
As I want the bike run smooth when I go down there again next weekend for the 2012 HDF Euro M&G, I started checking out the forum, Clymer & H-D RM for possible cause(s).
Found lots of options: from contaminated fuel to malfunctioning of cranck position sensor and lots more in between...
Started running carb cleaner in my tank: no results.
Hmm what next?
Talked to my Indy who -like many posts in here- diagnosed possible worn out and leaking intake & carb seals.
Decided to have them replaced yesterday (one of the intake seals was worn out indeed).
Picked up the bike in the late afternoon and rode home, taking a detour to check out the results.
Unfortunately nothing had changed!
Went back to my Indy today and told him nothing had changed.
Asked him if the carb had to be cleaned. "No need to", he said, "did that yesterday". "Let's try an easy fix and change the (four weeks old) plugs".
So he did, I took out the bike for a test ride and problems are gone!
He even didn't charge me for the new plugs!
The moral of this story:
Although you think that new and "just out of the box" spark plugs will function well for a long time, they can leave you within a week!
Black Forest: HERE I COME!
What has happened:
Bike was serviced three weeks ago, just befor I left for a 4-days tour into the German Black Forest.
From that time, the bike started running real bad:
misfiring at a steady throttle position, popping at decel, sneezing from A/C and stalling at idle...
No loss of power when accelerating though and problems of misfiring disappeared when giving it bit of extra throttle.
As I want the bike run smooth when I go down there again next weekend for the 2012 HDF Euro M&G, I started checking out the forum, Clymer & H-D RM for possible cause(s).
Found lots of options: from contaminated fuel to malfunctioning of cranck position sensor and lots more in between...
Started running carb cleaner in my tank: no results.
Hmm what next?
Talked to my Indy who -like many posts in here- diagnosed possible worn out and leaking intake & carb seals.
Decided to have them replaced yesterday (one of the intake seals was worn out indeed).
Picked up the bike in the late afternoon and rode home, taking a detour to check out the results.
Unfortunately nothing had changed!
Went back to my Indy today and told him nothing had changed.
Asked him if the carb had to be cleaned. "No need to", he said, "did that yesterday". "Let's try an easy fix and change the (four weeks old) plugs".
So he did, I took out the bike for a test ride and problems are gone!
He even didn't charge me for the new plugs!
The moral of this story:
Although you think that new and "just out of the box" spark plugs will function well for a long time, they can leave you within a week!
Black Forest: HERE I COME!
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Everyone here carries a copy of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" around with them. When things are bad, they sacrifice a chicken to Kali and pray for an answer. Usually, Kali will fix your ride.
Hence, it's their own personal Indy (God).
Hence, it's their own personal Indy (God).
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Euclid
Thats a good idea, my plugs are OE on my 06 bob 8k and now im thinking its time to replace them. My co-worker just bought a 2012 fatbob with the bitchin 103.. MMMM Mmm, had bike for less that 2 hours and coil failed only fireing on one cylinder. It happens. Usually early on for defective components on a brand new bike.
