Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
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Intermediate
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Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
2003 Sportster 883 is backfiring today. Just got the bike. It ran fine three days ago (warmer weather). Today is colder, but engine is plenty hot. Runs better with choke out. When choke is in it starts to miss and backfire.
Added premium gas, but same thing. Any suggestions? Thanks guys!
Added premium gas, but same thing. Any suggestions? Thanks guys!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Windham,Maine
RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
After you check the plugs or change them, the only other thing it could be is a fuel delivery problem.Especially having to run with the choke out.
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RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
Colder weather requires richer jetting because the air is denser.
First make sure the fuel screw didn't fall out. If someone already messed with it and pulled the plug they may have turned it too far out and the vibration shook it loose.
If it's there, turn it in until it's lightly seated, counting the turns. You don't want it to be more than 2-1/2 turns out otherwise it could fall out.
Try turning it out to get the bike to cease the popping, if it gets better the further you turn it out, try a larger pilot (slow) jet.
First make sure the fuel screw didn't fall out. If someone already messed with it and pulled the plug they may have turned it too far out and the vibration shook it loose.
If it's there, turn it in until it's lightly seated, counting the turns. You don't want it to be more than 2-1/2 turns out otherwise it could fall out.
Try turning it out to get the bike to cease the popping, if it gets better the further you turn it out, try a larger pilot (slow) jet.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,271
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From: Green Country,Oklahoma
RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
Had that happen to me once with a Sportster I had,turned out I had upgraded spark plugs,bad idea,went back to what was in it ,end of problem
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
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From: NC
RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
Did you put pipes and a new Air cleaner on a stock bike? Stage 1 in other words? If so and you have a carb you have to get the jets worked on. If not something may be wrong with your carb.
Thats my 2 cent.
Thats my 2 cent.
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Intermediate
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RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
where is the fuel screw? sorry I'm kinda new at this
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
RE: Help troubleshoot - engine backfiring
buy some new sparkplugs, make sure the gap is set (.040 in.), install the plugs, when starting the bike pull the enrichener **** out full if it's 60 degrees or cooler, once the engine is running, slowly push the enrichener in about halfway till the motor has warmed to operating temps., then push it in completely, operating the bike with the enrichener out will foul plugs. you may want to visit nightrider.comthen go to motorcycle performance guide for a little intrductory course on the carb. it's a little difficultcdescribe the ins and outs of the carb and its nuances.
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