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103 Motor "ping ping ping"

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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 05:48 PM
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Question 103 Motor "ping ping ping"

My '11 Street Glide with the 103 seems to have some engine "ping" under partial throttle, between about 2400 and 3000 rpms, in any gear.

For some examples - at say 65 mph running about 2500 rpm in 6th on flat ground, I roll on a little throttle - I can hear a few light pings until I pass 3000 rpm. Then it just goes.
Under the same conditions if I grab full throttle - a couple pings then nothing, just power.

It doesn't seem to matter if its under a light or heavy load. JUST between 2400 and 3000 rpm.

If I grab full throttle at say 1500 in 4th (when you would expect ping in an older vehicle) it doesn't ping. It just pulls with power.

I'm not positive, but it seems to be worse when it's hot outside. Like over 90 F.

I've got 7700 miles. Stock AC, V&H slip-ons. Not re-mapped. Stock motor. Running premium 93 octane Shell fuel.

I just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem before I take it to the dealer. It's still under warranty, but I figure they'll try to seel me a $500 re-map.

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 05:54 PM
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pay for the re-map...then thank them.. it's called de...EPA..ing your bike
 
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 06:03 PM
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It's normal noise, my 2011 SG started doing the same thing HD said normal and so does the many posts here as well as the one I posted.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2012 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Ozark340
My '11 Street Glide with the 103 seems to have some engine "ping" under partial throttle, between about 2400 and 3000 rpms, in any gear.

For some examples - at say 65 mph running about 2500 rpm in 6th on flat ground, I roll on a little throttle - I can hear a few light pings until I pass 3000 rpm. Then it just goes.
Under the same conditions if I grab full throttle - a couple pings then nothing, just power.

It doesn't seem to matter if its under a light or heavy load. JUST between 2400 and 3000 rpm.

If I grab full throttle at say 1500 in 4th (when you would expect ping in an older vehicle) it doesn't ping. It just pulls with power.

I'm not positive, but it seems to be worse when it's hot outside. Like over 90 F.

I've got 7700 miles. Stock AC, V&H slip-ons. Not re-mapped. Stock motor. Running premium 93 octane Shell fuel.

I just wanted to see if anyone else had this problem before I take it to the dealer. It's still under warranty, but I figure they'll try to seel me a $500 re-map.

Thanks for any thoughts.
2500 in 6th gear is "lugging" in my book. Both my bikes are five speeds but the later models are geared tall to assist in meeting EPA standards. You can avoid the 6th gear ping by staying out of 6th gear until you are ready to roll at 70+mph.

Don't let the dealer sell you a remap; it won't solve the problem. Get yourself a fuel management system, PCIII, PCV, SEST, SERT, TTS, or some such and get the engine dyno tuned. Ping will be gone and the bike will run sooooo much better.

Yes, it will get worse as the ambient temperatures rise. JMHO.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2012 | 09:22 PM
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I think I fixed it with the addition of a Cobra PowrFlo air cleaner, and Power Commander V. Still waiting to hear fom Dynoflo to make sure I used the right map.
I used the one closest to my setup, but no more pinging at any RPM.
 
Attached Thumbnails 103 Motor "ping ping ping"-cobra-powrflo.jpg   103 Motor "ping ping ping"-pcv.jpg   103 Motor "ping ping ping"-streetglide.jpg  
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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 01:53 AM
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1500rpm in 4th is lugging the engine. Keep your rpms higher in a lower gear. Your gas mileage will improve. I never use 6th below 70mph.
 
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Old Aug 27, 2012 | 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bks6721
1500rpm in 4th is lugging the engine. Keep your rpms higher in a lower gear. Your gas mileage will improve. I never use 6th below 70mph.

Yes, I know 1500 in 4th is lugging...It was an example of when you'd EXPECT pinging.

The problem was pinging at a certain rpm range, regardless of what gear or how fast I was going.

With the PCV and better air cleaner it's running tops at any speed, in any gear.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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it's def. not normal!!!! Mine does it too. It's all in the tune. Try to find someone that knows what they are doing with a dyno. I have the sert tuner.So it limits you to just harley dealers,Which can be good/bad. For me , my dealer closed. My tuner passed-rip ron.My last bike ran like a beast,never pinged no matter what or how dam hot out it was. I may be driving 5 1/2 hours to a good h-d dealer with a dyno guy i trust/knows what they are doing.

Is it a pita, hell ya,But i have to get the bike running right.Ping is no goof,regardless what the dealers say.

My .02....
 

Last edited by user 82973220; Sep 12, 2012 at 07:21 PM. Reason: too much rum
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Old Sep 12, 2012 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by baggerben
it's def. not normal!!!! Mine does it too. It's all in the tune. Try to find someone that knows what they are doing with a dyno. I have the sert tuner.So it limits you to just harley dealers,Which can be good/bad.
You are not limited to HD dealers because you have the SERT. Any competent tuner that has experience with the SERT can tune with the SERT.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2012 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by So-Cal Street Glide
It's normal noise, my 2011 SG started doing the same thing HD said normal and so does the many posts here as well as the one I posted.
It's normal in the sense that a lot of bikes do it, but they are not supposed to! With the right tune and the right parts, your bike should never ping unless you get into some bad gas or something. Get the flash or better yet, if you are ever gonna do another thing to the bike, go buy a tuner.
 
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