Engine question

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Nov 23, 2013 | 09:13 PM

grst1313

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: Jacksonville,FL

Engine question

Only one pipe on my roadking is blowing hot air why?

Nov 23, 2013 | 09:51 PM

PIGGI

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 197

Likes: 1

From: Sahuarita, Arizona

Gator crawled up the other pipe and died?

Nov 23, 2013 | 09:54 PM

Phantom6722

Tourer

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 251

Likes: 0

From: Australia

Is the engine running rough (idle and driving)? If so you could have an ignition system problem e.g. dead spark plug, bad lead or coil etc. You didn't give a lot of information about the problem.

Nov 23, 2013 | 09:55 PM

chicken strips

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 40

Likes: 0

From: So Cal

I'm new to the world of HD but I would say either you're running a 2 into 1 exhaust and the side that's not blowing hot air is for looks only or 1 cylinder isn't working.

Nov 23, 2013 | 09:56 PM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

Likes: 19,811

From: Centennial, CO

Welcome to the Forum from Colorado!
Some exhaust systems have a "ghost" pipe. All gases exit one side, the other side is for looks.

Nov 23, 2013 | 09:57 PM

nytryder

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 4,012

Likes: 298

From: Central Fl

Stock header pipes do that. It's a 2 into 1 header design. Left muffler will seldom get more than warm during engine operation.

Nov 23, 2013 | 11:16 PM

_Gir_

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,956

Likes: 75

From: CA

I haven't messed with my exhaust setup yet but could it be that "feature" that shuts down one cylinder at idle?

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Nov 23, 2013 | 11:24 PM

DannyZ71

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 12,653

Likes: 18

From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Gir_

I haven't messed with my exhaust setup yet but could it be that "feature" that shuts down one cylinder at idle?

No.

Like stated before, stock pipes are a 2 into 1 into 2 design. Most of the gases escape down the straight side, while less amounts make the curves and out the other side. One of those "paths of least resistance". Even then, some of the gases should make it to the other side.

If you're only running one cylinder, it should be extremely easy to tell. 1. Bike won't have much power, be lucky to get up to highway speeds with it. 2. Gas mileage will drop to about 15 miles per gallon, causing you much dismay on any kind of trip. I experienced this back in 1980 on my Low Rider. Fouled rear cylinder plug and didn't know why it ran so crappy until I had it checked. Ran out of gas three times on a 100 mile trip down the turnpike, and was only able to run about 50 mph.

I would guess these newer bikes would act likewise. But it may throw a check engine light (something we didn't have back then).

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