idle jet question
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
idle jet question
I bought my 05 heritage used so I dont know whats been done to the carb. It had slipons and a high flow airfilter installed. I replaced the slip ons with v&h big shot longs. The plugs are white so its a little lean (runs perfect)but when I start it in the mornings I warm it up for about 5 minutes but it still idles low until I ride it about 5 more miles. Then its up to normal idle speed. I can shut the bike off for 10 minutes and its idling low again till I ride a few more miles. It will do this all day. Is that normal for harley cards or do I need some adjusting. The air/mixture screw is 2 turns out also. I have the idle speed a little high now because if not it was shutting off without holding the throttle cracked or using the enricher while hot till I rode it like I stated above.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
What's the outside air temp?
Does this happen when the temp is 75 or above?
When was the last time the carb was cleaned?
Are you using the choke full out to start then half way full in like the manual says?
Is the idle jet loose?
Does this happen when the temp is 75 or above?
When was the last time the carb was cleaned?
Are you using the choke full out to start then half way full in like the manual says?
Is the idle jet loose?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
yes it will idle slow untill its warmed back up.
no you shouldent have to ride with the choke out, if you do then its lean.
with your setup id try backing out the mix.screw a turn, if things dont improve go up one size in the slow jet then reset the idle, and mixture.
no you shouldent have to ride with the choke out, if you do then its lean.
with your setup id try backing out the mix.screw a turn, if things dont improve go up one size in the slow jet then reset the idle, and mixture.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Its done it in any temp. Its been in the 100s and lately its been in the 60s for the mornings. When I got it I ran a bottle of seafoam through it but thats all thats been done to it. I let it run about 20 seconds with the enricher all the way out then warm it up for 4-5 minutes with it about half way out.
Blob, I will back the screw out some more and see if that helps.
Blob, I will back the screw out some more and see if that helps.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
Slower idle is normal after cool down, they cool down fairly fast especially in cool weather. Stock pilot jet is #45. An aftermarket #46 works the best for me but your air filter could make a difference. Harleys next step is as #48. Adjust the airscrew to the fastest idle when the engine is hot, but maintain a slow idle speed when adjusting for best results. If its not spitting back thru the carb after its warmed up, its probably fine. Ride it, get a good feel about it before you start making changes. It will let you know.
Last edited by Mikey 1450; Sep 18, 2011 at 09:59 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 712
Likes: 55
From: Punta Gorda, Florida
As the guys have said, try turning the a/f mix screw out first. I would go a quarter turn at a time and ride it to see how it goes. Once you go to 3 turns out you may have to go to a larger pilot jet. Like Mikey said, 45 is stock, then 46 and 48. I don't think the dealer carries the 46 but you can get it here.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
Since you don't know, I would definitely remove the float bowl and see what jets are in there (and also check to see if the pilot jet is clogged). It's not difficult and only takes a few minutes. I think 190 main and 48 pilot are the norm for high flow intake and exhaust.
I had the same issues you're describing, plus it would cough and stumble once in a while accelerating from a stop (plus it would kick back on me sometimes when starting it back up after gassing up). I pulled the float bowl to see if it was jetted too lean. I found that it did have a 190 main and a 48 pilot, BUT the pilot jet was about 70% blocked/clogged. After I cleaned it and put it back together, solved the issues plus it made a world of difference in bottom end torque.
Pilot jets have really small holes, and it's not uncommon for them to get partially blocked/clogged. Often times, people will rebuild the carburetor (cleaning the pilot jet in the process), when all that really needed done to solve the problem was clean/clear the pilot jet.
I had the same issues you're describing, plus it would cough and stumble once in a while accelerating from a stop (plus it would kick back on me sometimes when starting it back up after gassing up). I pulled the float bowl to see if it was jetted too lean. I found that it did have a 190 main and a 48 pilot, BUT the pilot jet was about 70% blocked/clogged. After I cleaned it and put it back together, solved the issues plus it made a world of difference in bottom end torque.
Pilot jets have really small holes, and it's not uncommon for them to get partially blocked/clogged. Often times, people will rebuild the carburetor (cleaning the pilot jet in the process), when all that really needed done to solve the problem was clean/clear the pilot jet.
Last edited by pnw_hd_rider; Sep 19, 2011 at 10:27 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Georgia
I adjusted the screw another 1/4 turn and it did better but when I shut it off it kept idling for a second before shutting off. I turned it a 1/8 back in and will see how that does.
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