Doing some troubleshooting of a pinging problem with my 08 Heritage. Bike runs fine till it gets about 220, then starts pinging. Engine will also sometimes race when it gets hot which I know from my car wrenching days can be a sign that it's sucking air somewhere.

Wife's 08 Deluxe has zero issues under the same conditions. Only difference between bikes is I have slipons and IEDs.

I'm getting a historical 0131 code (low front 02sensor). If I erase it, it comes back on next time I run the bike.

I suspect that something is making the bike run lean or changing the advance when it warms up. I checked for exhaust leaks with a propane tank and get no sign of any.

I'm not sure how to check for intake leaks on a bike. Anyone know of how to go about that.

Next question is: can a bad 02 sensor cause the ecm to change the advance thereby causing the bike to ping. Never heard of that in a car, usually just makes the car idle rough but maybe Harley's are different?.

Appreciate any input.

 

The IEDS are giving you the code as they make they ecm see the o2's as they are lean so it will richen the mixture. The only time mine gets to 220 was in bumper to bumper traffic for about 20 minutes. What kind of fuel and octaine are you using? I try to use only name brand and 93 oct. I ran XIEDS last summer and never had an issue and it was hotter last year

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I suspected the IEDs were throwing the code but nightrider says this is usually due to other issues like exhaust leaks. In other words it's not the norm according to them.

I was going to swap out the o2 sensor with the wifes to eliminate it as the problem. But I then found I'm getting codes for both sensors. That tells me the problem lies elsewhere.

About the temp and gas octane. Wife and I both use 91 which is the highest at the pumps we frequent. She has no pinging or racing engine which I verified by riding it myself. We both have oil temp gauges and the temps mirror each other +- 5 degrees. Probably around 210 on the open road. In town 220. Lots of stops both can get to 240-250 very quickly.

Hate to do it but I'm going to put my bike back to stock and see what happens. I'll try it first w/o the IEDs and see what happens. Then I'll put the stock pipes back on.

Then if I still have a problem it's back to the dealer. Still under warranty till October.

Thanks again.

 

Resist the temptation to ride it until the problem is fixed.

 

yes pinging is not good, it sounds like you need a scanner plugged into the bike. Could be a temp sensor reading wrong, that could cause this concern. You should be able to run slip-ons without fuel management, the ecm should be able to handle that. Take it in and have them scan it,

 

Hey Jim, I am having the EXACT same problem.
I had the Rush 2" on. Ran like sh&t, so I took them off and went back to stock.
After I put the stock back on, pinging. I am thinking a f'd something up and am now getting exhaust leaks. (maybe)
I didn't do anything else in terms of upgrading air cleaner or IED's. Just through on the slip-ons.

If/When you do take it to the dealer, I would really like to hear about what they found.
PM me
Ryan

 

Did you change your exhaust gaskets after switching from 2 different pipes? You can get away without changing them if removing and installing the same pipe but changing to different pipes can sometimes lead to an improper gasket fit. The slightest angle change can allow leaks from a gasket previously crushed on a different angle.

 

Would I still have change them if they were just slip-on mufflers?

But to answer your question, no I didn't. Changed the muffler clamps, but not any gaskets.

 

Propane is used for intake leaks, not the exhaust. Add a short 2' hose to the torch tube and hit the intake joints and each plugged in sensor on the tb. Rpm will raise if you find an area that's leaking. With the exhaust start engine and with a thick rag block both outlets enough to creat back pressure, but not so much the engine will quit. With cigarette smoke or a candle flame hit all the joints. A leak will be obvious is there is one.
Ron

 

Missed the part about slip-ons.. In that case no.. although a bad seal before baffles changes air fuel mixture. Probably not enough to make a difference if it's only a small leak.