2008 Sportster 1200 Low - Coughing
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
2008 Sportster 1200 Low - Coughing
Hi everyone,
I have a 2008 Sportster 1200 that I recently bought with a little less that 800 miles on it. I ran fine for a few miles (30 or so). I noticed when I started it that it blew a little black/blue smoke like it was running rich when cold. Now, after starting it and letting it idle for a minute, it "coughs". Sounds like there is a backfire in the intake. It stumbles and then idles fine for a few seconds and then does it again. It's my wife's bike and she is new to riding and the other day as we were practicing some slow maneuvers, that "cough" almost made her drop it...
Any suggestions on what it might be? I was thinking varnishing in the carb, but it ran so well when I first got it, that I am wondering if it might be air filter/plugs/wires, etc...???
Would love some suggestions on what to check!!!!
Thanks,
Doug
I have a 2008 Sportster 1200 that I recently bought with a little less that 800 miles on it. I ran fine for a few miles (30 or so). I noticed when I started it that it blew a little black/blue smoke like it was running rich when cold. Now, after starting it and letting it idle for a minute, it "coughs". Sounds like there is a backfire in the intake. It stumbles and then idles fine for a few seconds and then does it again. It's my wife's bike and she is new to riding and the other day as we were practicing some slow maneuvers, that "cough" almost made her drop it...
Any suggestions on what it might be? I was thinking varnishing in the carb, but it ran so well when I first got it, that I am wondering if it might be air filter/plugs/wires, etc...???
Would love some suggestions on what to check!!!!
Thanks,
Doug
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Mass
No carb on the bike 08 was fuel injected. Start with the big three... Fuel, spark, air. 08 with less than 800 miles. old gas? might want to drain the tank and put new gas in it. check the plugs make sure they are not in bad shape from sitting for a long time. pull of the air cleaner see if there is a problem there. (mouse got in chewed it up) It is nice that it had such low miles but that means it has been sitting for a while. Did you change the oil when you got it?
Also if it has aftermarket pipes or intake on it you need to have a fuelpak or something similar to adjust the ECU on the bike.
I just got a 08 1200L with 1700 miles and first thing I did was change fluids. Not sure how long they have been sitting in there.
Also if it has aftermarket pipes or intake on it you need to have a fuelpak or something similar to adjust the ECU on the bike.
I just got a 08 1200L with 1700 miles and first thing I did was change fluids. Not sure how long they have been sitting in there.
Last edited by Brother Dan; Apr 25, 2014 at 09:11 AM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
Thanks Brother Dan
No carb on the bike 08 was fuel injected. Start with the big three... Fuel, spark, air. 08 with less than 800 miles. old gas? might want to drain the tank and put new gas in it. check the plugs make sure they are not in bad shape from sitting for a long time. pull of the air cleaner see if there is a problem there. (mouse got in chewed it up) It is nice that it had such low miles but that means it has been sitting for a while. Did you change the oil when you got it?
Also if it has aftermarket pipes or intake on it you need to have a fuelpak or something similar to adjust the ECU on the bike.
I just got a 08 1200L with 1700 miles and first thing I did was change fluids. Not sure how long they have been sitting in there.
Also if it has aftermarket pipes or intake on it you need to have a fuelpak or something similar to adjust the ECU on the bike.
I just got a 08 1200L with 1700 miles and first thing I did was change fluids. Not sure how long they have been sitting in there.
The shop I bought the bike from did a 5k service on it before I bought it, so the oil is new. I ran the half tank of gas that was in it out and filled with fresh gas. I will take the air filter out and check that and also pull the plugs to see how they are. I hope they are in perfect shape, if not I will take it back to the shop and ask why the 5k service didn't pick those up... It's got the stock exhaust and intake so should be good there. Funny you have the same bike I have. 2008 1200L... What color is yours?
I'll keep you posted after I check the filter and plugs!
Thanks for the advice!
Doug
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 35
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From: Mass
When you pull the air cleaner take a look at the throttle body and make sure that it is closed all the way too. Sometimes when they adjust the throttle cables they are more worried about it opening all the way up, and not closing all the way. Good luck, and hope it helps.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
Thanks again!
When you pull the air cleaner take a look at the throttle body and make sure that it is closed all the way too. Sometimes when they adjust the throttle cables they are more worried about it opening all the way up, and not closing all the way. Good luck, and hope it helps.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
Beautiful bike! I'll certainly check the throttle body plate. Since it's my wife's bike I'm not concerned with full open throttle at all.... It's the idle/low speed performance that matters at this point.
Thanks again for all the helpful info!!!!
Doug
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
My Bikes
When you pull the air cleaner take a look at the throttle body and make sure that it is closed all the way too. Sometimes when they adjust the throttle cables they are more worried about it opening all the way up, and not closing all the way. Good luck, and hope it helps.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
My bike is black on copper it is the 105th Annv. edition. A lot of people have asked if the paint is a custom job because they don't see them around too often. I have given her the name Ginger, and planning a lot of mods.
________________________________
08 Sportster 1200L
08 Dyna Low Rider
man, i wish my primary and points cover still shined like that
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
The cold start stumble seems to be fairly common on the early EFI Sportster models. I have a 2009 model that does it a little bit. There is a sticky on the XL forum about Cold Start Stumble and after reading that entire thread, it seems you can ask for a new calibration to be uploaded into the ECM.
Mine has the 32153-07C calibration but the 32153-07D apparently adjusts the starting parameters and seems to have fixed the problem, according to that thread.
Mine has the 32153-07C calibration but the 32153-07D apparently adjusts the starting parameters and seems to have fixed the problem, according to that thread.
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