While out riding the past couple of days in Texas 97 degree temperatures when I would twist the throttle wide open (not a roll on) the bike would Ping. It was loud and only once then increase in speed.

Just installed MGS True Duels, Ness Big Sucker and Power Commander 5.

The MGS instructions are still terrible as notated in other threads going back years. I like the sound, and I didn't notice any drop in performance.

This doesn't happen when taking off, there isn't a continuous pinging only when at a steady speed then sudden twist of the throttle, a single loud ping.

The bike does this at 2500 rpm, 3000 rpm or 3500 rpms. I am using high octane. I didn't hear this before the new stage one. There are no other mods to the bike.

Is this normal or do I need to adjust the PCV map? If I need to download a different map suggestions?

 

Might be the current map isn't right or needs to be adjusted. Good luck.

 

I get that same single ping with my '15 Limited. Just as you describe.... when nailing the juice. At first I thought it was something loose around the front fork area 'till I narrowed it down.

Interested to see what you find as a solution.

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It's the PC5. Not responding fast enough to change in load & need to back off timing advance.

Changing the map to avoid the spark knock may result in higher fuel consumption & still not fix the issue completely so compromise may be required (don't go WOT too fast) if you can't find higher octane fuel than what you're running now.

 

tune the bike for premium pump gas-

on most ignition systems the pinging will cause the ECM to retard timing in an attempt to stop it- that will result in reduced power, and the rider often will downshift to keep the power up.


Have a look at your power commander settings.

persistent pinging can damage your motor- baby it until you have it sorted out




Mike

 

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" It's the PC5. Not responding fast enough to change in load & need to back off timing advance. "

Excessive heat & lean fuel calibration is normally the main/root cause for detonation in an air cooled HD thats running proper/normal std perf timing curve map and not way too much timing to begin with.

Well if he enriches fuel & or back timing off thats a "bandaid" fix that will likely stop the detonation his bike has in 97 deg heat post latest upgrade but will loose a bit of pwr/trq backing of timing a few deg.

So remapping for bit more fuel & pulling a few deg timing out should stop the detonation and thats it,no other improvements are obtained from doing so other then maybe reducing engine temp a couple deg with more fuel too.

But his motor detonating on 97 deg f summer heat is just as much about the motor suffering from " excessive heat issues " then requiring remapping likely reducing pwr/trq a tad due to retarding timing & he will get just as much or more by reducing oil & engine temp.

My 09 96" was detonating on HD's rec 91 octane fuel (93 octane fuel at times too) in summer temp of 85-90deg f or higher temp and when i installed uc oil cooler w-2 elec cooling fans & Wards fans @ same time that collectively together reduced oil temp 50+ deg f in summer heat the motor stopped detonating on the rec 91 oct fuel for my bike.

Other benefits i got POST ADDRESSING HEAT ISSUES ON MY HD other then " stopping detonation " post installing the 2 cooling mods @ the same time that reduced oil temp 50deg f in summer heat are:

Also keep in mind when you remap to reduce / retard timing to stop detonation that at the same time affects & or reduces pwr/trq a bit to so why do that that if you dont have too.

But if you address the heat issue like i req doing and maybe even richen fuel calibration a tad at the same time too that should stop the detonation without having to retard timing allowing the motor to retain it's max pwr/trq & crisp throttle response all the time thru its entire rpm range.

Here are the other benefits my bike got post install of the 2 cooling mods that reduced oil temp in my bike 50deg F,(reducing oil temp also reduces engine temp @ the same time too):

* OIL PRESSURE @ IDLE & CRUISE ARE BOTH 10-12PSI HIGHER.

* VALVES & LIFTERS REMAIN QUIET.

* MOTOR RETAINS THE PWR/TRQ & CRISP THROTTLE RESPONSE IT ALWAYS USED TO LOOSE IN SUMMER HEAT.

* HOT STARTS LIKE POST FUELING ARE FASTER & EASIER DUE TO MOTOR/BATTERY/STARTER BEING LESS HEAT SOAKED.

* POST COOLING OIL 50DEG F THERE IS LESS HEAT IS NOW COMING FROM THE MOTOR SO THE BIKE IS A BIT COOLER & MORE COMFORTABLE IN GENERAL TO RIDE IN SUMMER HEAT TOO.

So whats it gonna be:

A) Should he remap to remove/retard timing a few deg & fatten it up a bit to stop detonation loosing a bit of perf along the way while only getting 1 positive outcome being no more detonation with bit less perf?

B) Or should he address the root cause (Excessive Heat) by installing the 2 cooling mods i rec that significantly reduce oil & engine temp along with also fattening up fuel map/mix a bit @ the same time too ?

And keep in mind doing that will not only stop the detonation without retarding the timing but also results in 5 or so additional benefits all at the same time too.

So when not having to retarded timing to stop detonation means the motor retains max pwr/trq along with getting 5 or so additional improvements in engine perf & overall riding comfort at the same time too.

Scott

 

While your approach will work, the "root cause" is more complicated than simply running too hot. It also involves ignition timing, combustion chamber design, compression ratio, intake fuel distribution, fuel vapor pressure, carbon deposits, etc. I would suggest the PC5's spark advance map is not stock and likely a contributing factor since the OP seems to indicate the problem wasn't there before making the mods; primary mod influencing the ping being the PC5.

I agree that approaching the heat issue is an effective method toward stopping the detonation. A more cost effective method would be to install one of Jason's lower operating temperature oil cooler thermostats. Having experience with this approach, it is less costly than the fan powered oil cooler (assuming the bike already has an oil cooler) and probably more effective, since the oil doesn't get as hot in the first place before being sent to the oil cooler.

Just another way to get to the same goal.

 

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All true,retarding time reduces pwr/trq and can make throttle response a bit more soggy too along with also in some cases increasing engine temp a bit & slight loss in mpg.

And like you said detonation can do serious damage which could be things like breaking a piston skirts and worse yet breaking a complete piston or couple pistons which have seen happen 1st hand in a couple automotive engines over the yrs.

Excessive Heat & lean fuel calibration is the most likely cause of the OP's detonation issue even running prem fuel.

If he addresses the excessive heat issue by installing an UC oil cooler w-twin cooling fans & Wards Fans along with fattening up fuel map a bit too that should stop the detonation his motors experiencing in summer heat.

And doing so will also give the OP & his bike multiple improvements in engine perf & overall riding comfort at the same time too.

Scott

 

The bike needs to be tuned.

 

I'll agree with lp, take it to a good tuner and you'll be fine. Are you close to GMR or Dyno solutions, either one of these guys can fix you up !!!!!