Sportster 883 fouled spark
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Belgrade, Serbia
Sportster 883 fouled spark
Greetings,
I have tried to find topic regarding my current problem but none of them completely cover my situation.
First, the bike is 883, year of production 2005, with Harley tax (screaming eagle II exhaust, KN filter, and re jetted).
Firs,t the bike takes approximate 10 minutes to warm up while outside temperature is around 60F, before those 10 minutes expires, it stumbles and dies. Also during warm up time front cylinder is puffing black smoke and fouling the spark plug with carbon. Rear cylinder is working normally without black smoke.
On start up I use choke/en-richer only to start the bike and immediate turn it off, and warming up the engine by throttle control.
When the engine is completely warmed up it works great.
The mechanic thinks that nothing can be done since the carb is re jetted and because of more fuel being pumped I am having black smoke in warm up.
Besides that the bike is running greatly!!! Current mileage is 4.200 miles.
Just changed oil, filters, and spark plugs.
If anybody have any idea what is the problem or similar experience, and some advice I would appreciate it a lot!
Ps. I hope that I was clear enough
Regards
I have tried to find topic regarding my current problem but none of them completely cover my situation.
First, the bike is 883, year of production 2005, with Harley tax (screaming eagle II exhaust, KN filter, and re jetted).
Firs,t the bike takes approximate 10 minutes to warm up while outside temperature is around 60F, before those 10 minutes expires, it stumbles and dies. Also during warm up time front cylinder is puffing black smoke and fouling the spark plug with carbon. Rear cylinder is working normally without black smoke.
On start up I use choke/en-richer only to start the bike and immediate turn it off, and warming up the engine by throttle control.
When the engine is completely warmed up it works great.
The mechanic thinks that nothing can be done since the carb is re jetted and because of more fuel being pumped I am having black smoke in warm up.
Besides that the bike is running greatly!!! Current mileage is 4.200 miles.
Just changed oil, filters, and spark plugs.
If anybody have any idea what is the problem or similar experience, and some advice I would appreciate it a lot!
Ps. I hope that I was clear enough
Regards
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: billings,montana
spark plug problem?
yeah, i had a 2001 xl883c . i started it the way you do. you can't leave the choke on or you foul the plugs! i started the bike with choke on and shut off the choke after engine started. it was a pain to play choke with the thottle, but i didn't foul any more plugs. i've got an 2009 nightster now with fuel injection, and your starting problem is solved! i'll never go back to a carb!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
When did the problem start? Did you do anything prior to problem starting?
It could be as easy as a carburerator adjustment(proper rejet) I would check the compression. Might have a bad ring or something. Your bike should run smooth with the enricher **** out and you shouldnt have to worry about fouling a plug. Could also be a bad plug or wire. Check the plug for a crack in the ceramic. Check your plug wire for cracks or damage.
Oh yeah...find a new mechanic!
It could be as easy as a carburerator adjustment(proper rejet) I would check the compression. Might have a bad ring or something. Your bike should run smooth with the enricher **** out and you shouldnt have to worry about fouling a plug. Could also be a bad plug or wire. Check the plug for a crack in the ceramic. Check your plug wire for cracks or damage.
Oh yeah...find a new mechanic!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
On the 2005 sportsters there is a known issue with the valve guide seals leaking. My wife's is the same, not 10 minutes to warm up, but i s a serious issue. Check your oil regularly as you will see it on the plugs. that is what the black smoke out of the exhaust is. Do a search and you will find more info on it.
Drew
Drew
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Belgrade, Serbia
Thanks guys for your replays.
I will for sure speak with "mechanic" again.
The compression is good, and I think there is no oil over the spark, the spark is dry with carbon over the spark, but I will check oil levels. As I sad earlier, the sparks are new. I'm trying to figure it out why this only happens when the engine is not warmed up (black smoke), but as soon as it gets warm the problem with black smoke disappears. And of course warm up time is quite annoying
.
I will for sure speak with "mechanic" again.
The compression is good, and I think there is no oil over the spark, the spark is dry with carbon over the spark, but I will check oil levels. As I sad earlier, the sparks are new. I'm trying to figure it out why this only happens when the engine is not warmed up (black smoke), but as soon as it gets warm the problem with black smoke disappears. And of course warm up time is quite annoying
.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
If the enrichner (choke) tension is adjusted properly, there is no need to push the **** in, it will go in on its own as the motor warms. You can't expect a cold, carbed motor to run very well without some amount a choke. The amount required decreases as the motor gets warmer.
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Belgrade, Serbia
What would be, in your opinion, appropriate amount of choke for my bike (re jetted, sc II, KN filter)?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Wheeling, WV
I adjusted my choke **** tensioner to where I simply full choke it, two twist of throttle & hit the start button, and the choke **** pulls back in pretty much on it's own as it warms while I finish putting my gear on & then it's all the way in a couple "semi easy" miles down the road. The tensioner is the round grooved peice piece right behind the ****. If you do decide to adjust the tensioner, go in very small increments & don't get too forceful with it because you'll break the plastic & then you'll have to replace the entire cable. Don't even touch the metal nut on the backof the choke mount to adjust the tensioner.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Belgrade, Serbia
Update,
yesterday outside temp was 60F, pulled full choke, running like that 30sec to minute, after that on throttle control, five 3-4 minutes warm up, working like charm. After some 10 mile ride, inspected plugs, they were perfect.
Today, even warmer than yesterday, full choke on start, bike started but even on choke revs were sluggish. after 30 sec it even started to die and a lot of black smoke?! Warm it up by throttle control, but even after 10 miles ride or more every time I stopped idle was on border to die, some times it spit black smoke on front pipe!?
I am pretty confused now.
any ideas?
yesterday outside temp was 60F, pulled full choke, running like that 30sec to minute, after that on throttle control, five 3-4 minutes warm up, working like charm. After some 10 mile ride, inspected plugs, they were perfect.
Today, even warmer than yesterday, full choke on start, bike started but even on choke revs were sluggish. after 30 sec it even started to die and a lot of black smoke?! Warm it up by throttle control, but even after 10 miles ride or more every time I stopped idle was on border to die, some times it spit black smoke on front pipe!?
I am pretty confused now.
any ideas?