bike is sputtering in gear
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
bike is sputtering in gear
Have an '06 lowrider, 96 ci. It starts, idles and revs fine, until I put it in gear. Once in gear, it spits, sputters and just really does not run well. Have replaced the plugs and exhaust gaskets. It does have a 3rd stage powercommander installed. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be, and an approximate cost to fix, as I am not, repeat NOT, mechanically inclined at all.
Forgot to mention, also used seafoam carb cleaner and fuel additive trying to make sure the jets and filters were clear. This was a sudden change in the way it ran, and had not showed any warning signs of mechanical problems before it happened.
Forgot to mention, also used seafoam carb cleaner and fuel additive trying to make sure the jets and filters were clear. This was a sudden change in the way it ran, and had not showed any warning signs of mechanical problems before it happened.
Last edited by Chucklesgolf; Mar 16, 2016 at 01:55 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 10
From: Rochester, NY
When your engine is idling it requires very little fuel. As soon as you put it in gear, the engine gets stressed and requires more fuel to stay idling. Sounds like the issue is a clog somewhere in the fuel system.
When you drained the fuel prior to using the seafoam was it dirty? Also, after using the seafoam, was that dirty when you drained it? Is your fuel filter dirty?.
When trying to fix an issue, only perform one action at a time and reverse your action if it did not help before you move on to your next action. This will prevent you from compounding the problem.
As with the seafoam and fuel additive. You should only add one at a time and make sure the first is fully out of the system before you try the second.
Good luck!
When you drained the fuel prior to using the seafoam was it dirty? Also, after using the seafoam, was that dirty when you drained it? Is your fuel filter dirty?.
When trying to fix an issue, only perform one action at a time and reverse your action if it did not help before you move on to your next action. This will prevent you from compounding the problem.
As with the seafoam and fuel additive. You should only add one at a time and make sure the first is fully out of the system before you try the second.
Good luck!
I assume this is an EFI bike based off the year. In 2006 the FXD family had 8 degree injectors and these were known to cause problems. Check and see if the stock injectors are installed. If you eliminate all other fuel system/electrical possibilities I would look at this. Harley had a service bulletin about changing injectors from 8 degree to 25 degree that is all over the web/this forum.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
All good advice so far. I would add that you should go over the settings in the Power Commander to make sure they are correct, sometimes they get corrupted. If that doesn't change anything, pull off the PC and see if that helps.
Also, those units can get water intrusion in the connectors, make sure it's dry and tight inside before you put it back in.
You're assuming it's a fuel problem, but loose/dirty battery and ground cable connections will make the bike act funny.
Also, those units can get water intrusion in the connectors, make sure it's dry and tight inside before you put it back in.
You're assuming it's a fuel problem, but loose/dirty battery and ground cable connections will make the bike act funny.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
ok...due to my mechanical inclination (which is zero), I put the bike in the Harley Hospital. The seafoam additive was the only fuel additive I had put in.
I failed to drain the gas first, so not sure if the filter or gas was dirty. I guess I should leave the mechanical stuff to...wait for it.....MECHANICS!!! lol.
Thanks to every one who posted. May God bless and keep you, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
I failed to drain the gas first, so not sure if the filter or gas was dirty. I guess I should leave the mechanical stuff to...wait for it.....MECHANICS!!! lol.
Thanks to every one who posted. May God bless and keep you, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
All good advice so far. I would add that you should go over the settings in the Power Commander to make sure they are correct, sometimes they get corrupted. If that doesn't change anything, pull off the PC and see if that helps.
Also, those units can get water intrusion in the connectors, make sure it's dry and tight inside before you put it back in.
You're assuming it's a fuel problem, but loose/dirty battery and ground cable connections will make the bike act funny.
Also, those units can get water intrusion in the connectors, make sure it's dry and tight inside before you put it back in.
You're assuming it's a fuel problem, but loose/dirty battery and ground cable connections will make the bike act funny.
ok...due to my mechanical inclination (which is zero), I put the bike in the Harley Hospital. The seafoam additive was the only fuel additive I had put in.
I failed to drain the gas first, so not sure if the filter or gas was dirty. I guess I should leave the mechanical stuff to...wait for it.....MECHANICS!!! lol.
Thanks to every one who posted. May God bless and keep you, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8
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From: North Carolina
Mechanic called today...said where the wires were run through the frame, where they exit the frame, they have frayed, causing a short. He said he has to remove the swingarm, and run new wiring. Cost....approximately $300.00. To those on here that do this kind of work, does that sound reasonable?
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1
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From: Florida
Help!
ok...due to my mechanical inclination (which is zero), I put the bike in the Harley Hospital. The seafoam additive was the only fuel additive I had put in.
I failed to drain the gas first, so not sure if the filter or gas was dirty. I guess I should leave the mechanical stuff to...wait for it.....MECHANICS!!! lol.
Thanks to every one who posted. May God bless and keep you, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
I failed to drain the gas first, so not sure if the filter or gas was dirty. I guess I should leave the mechanical stuff to...wait for it.....MECHANICS!!! lol.
Thanks to every one who posted. May God bless and keep you, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
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