Carburetor comes off while riding and minor explosion
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Joined: Nov 2023
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From: AZ
Carburetor comes off while riding and minor explosion
OK lets start by saying this is a new bike its new to me. I got it a few weeks ago its a 1998 Fatboy I was riding home from the gas station, got home and I loud bang came out of behind carb and a lot of I mean a lot of smoke. Luckily, it was right by my house and I didnt explode.
I had just put 110 octane in it and I thought maybe the gas was bad or something so I drained the tank and took the carburetor off. well as soon as I removed the cover the air cleaner, I noticed one of the bolts is missing and the screw is gone in the carb is barely hanging on by the other bolt, whoever owned this bike, did not put washers on these two bolts, which is important.
This was one of the strangest mishaps Ive ever had although it seems common now that I look at it has anybody else experienced anything like this? That seems like it would be an adventure.
Anyway every time something happens I learn a lesson and I keep it in someways. Im somewhat appreciative because Im going and getting lock nuts tomorrow its only two bolts and nuts, but they are very important. They hold the carburetor to the rocker box breather assembly and then that is attached to the heads.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if anybodys experienced anything like this Ride hard.
I had just put 110 octane in it and I thought maybe the gas was bad or something so I drained the tank and took the carburetor off. well as soon as I removed the cover the air cleaner, I noticed one of the bolts is missing and the screw is gone in the carb is barely hanging on by the other bolt, whoever owned this bike, did not put washers on these two bolts, which is important.
This was one of the strangest mishaps Ive ever had although it seems common now that I look at it has anybody else experienced anything like this? That seems like it would be an adventure.
Anyway every time something happens I learn a lesson and I keep it in someways. Im somewhat appreciative because Im going and getting lock nuts tomorrow its only two bolts and nuts, but they are very important. They hold the carburetor to the rocker box breather assembly and then that is attached to the heads.
Thanks for reading. Let me know if anybodys experienced anything like this Ride hard.
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Joined: Nov 2023
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From: AZ
No sir, I wanted a hotter mix I diluted it but thought maybe it would burn some of the carbon off help it get better, gas, mileage, and run better. Was I wrong to do that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
Actually the higher octane fuels or Race fuels burn at a slower rate with less heat to help protect Hi compression engines that run more timing advance... It helps to prevent detonation and burned up pistons..
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 523
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From: So Western Ohio
While that carb is off I'd take a hard look at it, especially the float needle valve and seat. To blow up like that I would think it had to have a lot of gas flooding in.
Last edited by Rufus13; Dec 12, 2023 at 03:47 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
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From: Phoenix
110 octane racing fuel is for high compression motors. It does nothing for a street ridden Harley.
I'd be worried about the missing bolt. Is it one that could be sucked into the engine?
If it is I'd buy a cheap bore scope off Amazon, pull the spark plugs and make sure there's nothing in the cylinders before I tried to start it.
I'd be worried about the missing bolt. Is it one that could be sucked into the engine?
If it is I'd buy a cheap bore scope off Amazon, pull the spark plugs and make sure there's nothing in the cylinders before I tried to start it.
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From: Poolville
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Beyond Fucital
There should be a bracket that bolts too the heads at the breathers that holds the face of the carburetor in place.
This is what holds the carb on, even if the 3 bolts on the front were off, the carb wouldn't fall off.
This is what holds the carb on, even if the 3 bolts on the front were off, the carb wouldn't fall off.
Last edited by RANGER73; Dec 12, 2023 at 01:15 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Poolville
1) Seafoam
2) MMO-Marvel Mystery Oil
3) Water
1) just add required mixture to the tank..
2) Add 2oz/gl to tank for one tank full and it should clear it out.. Or Bring up the idle to 2000 rpm and with a squeeze bottle slowly squirt into carb 9Air cleaner removed). I will start to smoke and Idle will drop. Keep squirt slowly till it sounds like its about to stall.. Shut the ignition off and let it sit for a couple of hours.. Start it back up till the motor clears out (it will smoke a lot but it will be fine once it clears out).. We used to do this when I worked for Chrysler.. It was the best way to remove major amounts of carbon from the cylinder and intake valves.. ALWAYS PERFORM THIS TASK OUT SIDE...
3) Water- in a spray bottle will also work pretty well to clean out carbon.. Bring idle to 2000 rpm and slowly spray (mist) into the carb you don't need a lot and idle will probably drop to 1500 rpm.. repeat till exhaust clears up..
Now if the bike is stock the only real issue is the breathers that are routed back into the carb.. If your breathers have already been routed to atmosphere it really shouldn't be an issue.. Also the MOCO really set these bikes up lean from the factory so carbon really isn't that big of a concern unless the PO constantly lugged the engine..
Your Call.. If your weary about the MMO just use Seafoam in the tank... Most likely it's all you'll need...
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