Looking for advice
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Looking for advice
I'm looking for some advice. My bike is a 2020 softail standard with Arlen ness big sucker air cleaner, Kerker bootlegger exhaust, S&S 475 cam ,plate, oil pump, and dynojet power vision tuner. What started out as an air cleaner and exhaust swap turned into quite a headache. I cracked both heads. Which lead to "since i'm in there" cam,plat,and oil pump change. Once reassembled and running got a tune from Fuelmoto, and the bike ran Ok. I was starting to get smoke on start-up and a rich fuel smell. The bike was also starting to run worse. I then took it to my dealer who said they could Tune the bike. First trip unable to tune because of bad valve seals in used heads. Fixed that Bike smoked worse when I picked it up than before they fixed the seals. Second round was bad used head. Replaced that, road home check engine light came on 2/3s of the way home. Rich front cylinder. They picked the bike up and said it was clogged injectors. Bike was delivered home able to make a short run( 5 miles) Bike seemed to run good but was rain/snowing so I was not able to really tell. Last week the roads were clear and the temperature was warm enough I road to work About 15 miles in check engine light came on. This time Rear cylinder rich. cleared code and no light on the way home. The bike seems to be running well I can defiantly tell the difference I'm getting a strong fuel smell and my mileage sucks. I understand cam and exhaust will affect mileage but i think it is a little excessive. My question is does anybody think using a target tune would help using the wide band sensors. I don't really want to just throw more money at it and hope.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
I'm sorry for your hardships. If I understand it right, the Fuelmoto tune had the bike running okay. Then it started to smoke and smell of an overly rich mixture. You shouldn't need to go with wide band sensors or another tune to get back to where you were. It seems like you've got injector problems, although I can't say why this would happen. If you now have two good heads and all valve seals are confirmed good, I would do these things:
-Compression test, remembering to disable the ACR's
-Leakdown test
If these results are good, it should mean you are mechanically sound.
-Inspect and change the fuel filter.
-Replace your injectors with new ones.
Now, your bike ought to be running ok like it was before the smoking and rich mixture started. You could ride it, but it would be great if you could swing a dyno tune by an experienced tuner. It's not cheap, but I'm sure the bike will run noticeably better than with the 'startup' tune. After getting my newly cammed and exhausted bike tuned my mileage went up, not down. Before going to the tuner, be sure you have a clean air filter, a full tank of good fuel, a pretty fresh tire, and a bike that is running reasonably well.
I have to ask, how on earth did you crack both heads? It's good for the soul to publish your Stupid Human Tricks for the betterment of mankind.
-Compression test, remembering to disable the ACR's
-Leakdown test
If these results are good, it should mean you are mechanically sound.
-Inspect and change the fuel filter.
-Replace your injectors with new ones.
Now, your bike ought to be running ok like it was before the smoking and rich mixture started. You could ride it, but it would be great if you could swing a dyno tune by an experienced tuner. It's not cheap, but I'm sure the bike will run noticeably better than with the 'startup' tune. After getting my newly cammed and exhausted bike tuned my mileage went up, not down. Before going to the tuner, be sure you have a clean air filter, a full tank of good fuel, a pretty fresh tire, and a bike that is running reasonably well.
I have to ask, how on earth did you crack both heads? It's good for the soul to publish your Stupid Human Tricks for the betterment of mankind.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
The bolts that came with the air cleaner were incorrect I did not use a torque wrench on them and split the mounting holes. Arlen ness stood by the mistake of including the wrong bolts and made things right. They are a real stand up company in my book. The dealer did spend more time on the dyno each time it was back in. I've thought about replacing the injectors. The last time at the dealer they ran them through a cleaner.. It took 4 time to get them clean. They said a black slime was coming out of them. compression and leakdown tests have all been done and have been well within specs. I am also a bit hesitant of there tuning abilities. The dealer has done me right on everything but I'm beginning to question their abilities
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 666
I would run, not walk, to another shop. One that has a good reputation for their tuning prowess. From what you have stated this dealer is nothing more than parts changers and have no ability to properly diagnose and repair engine management systems.
Just one example…I understand they stated the reason you are noticing excessively rich condition, based on your nose, is due to a plugged injector. Common sense tells you a plugged injector causes excessively LEAN condition due to lack of fuel flow. Then the statement black **** came out of the injector indicates fuel lines must be disintegrating and rubber is flowing into the injectors. If that is true all the fuel lines need to be replaced to eliminate the **** from flowing into the injectors…also creating an excessively lean condition NOT rich.
Also need to know how or what caused the disintegration…if that, in fact actually happened.
Please do yourself a favor and get a second, qualified opinion/diagnosis. It will save you money and stress.
Bob
Just one example…I understand they stated the reason you are noticing excessively rich condition, based on your nose, is due to a plugged injector. Common sense tells you a plugged injector causes excessively LEAN condition due to lack of fuel flow. Then the statement black **** came out of the injector indicates fuel lines must be disintegrating and rubber is flowing into the injectors. If that is true all the fuel lines need to be replaced to eliminate the **** from flowing into the injectors…also creating an excessively lean condition NOT rich.
Also need to know how or what caused the disintegration…if that, in fact actually happened.
Please do yourself a favor and get a second, qualified opinion/diagnosis. It will save you money and stress.
Bob
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 952
Likes: 528
From: Richmond TX
I would run, not walk, to another shop. One that has a good reputation for their tuning prowess. From what you have stated this dealer is nothing more than parts changers and have no ability to properly diagnose and repair engine management systems.
Just one example I understand they stated the reason you are noticing excessively rich condition, based on your nose, is due to a plugged injector. Common sense tells you a plugged injector causes excessively LEAN condition due to lack of fuel flow. Then the statement black **** came out of the injector indicates fuel lines must be disintegrating and rubber is flowing into the injectors. If that is true all the fuel lines need to be replaced to eliminate the **** from flowing into the injectors also creating an excessively lean condition NOT rich.
Also need to know how or what caused the disintegration if that, in fact actually happened.
Please do yourself a favor and get a second, qualified opinion/diagnosis. It will save you money and stress.
Bob
Just one example I understand they stated the reason you are noticing excessively rich condition, based on your nose, is due to a plugged injector. Common sense tells you a plugged injector causes excessively LEAN condition due to lack of fuel flow. Then the statement black **** came out of the injector indicates fuel lines must be disintegrating and rubber is flowing into the injectors. If that is true all the fuel lines need to be replaced to eliminate the **** from flowing into the injectors also creating an excessively lean condition NOT rich.
Also need to know how or what caused the disintegration if that, in fact actually happened.
Please do yourself a favor and get a second, qualified opinion/diagnosis. It will save you money and stress.
Bob
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
I Can't believe That The fuel system would be coming apart at 2 years and 7000 miles. I try to run premium fuel from a quality gas station. I have another tuner available, which I will probably use. He's going to install wideband O2's, tune the bike then put the stock sensors back in. He has a good reputation. I do agree this might be above the dealer. I just wonder if I should install the target tune before taking it to the tuner.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,019
Likes: 599
From: Columbus, OH
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6th Gear
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