TC88: Debugging bad MPG and engine running rich
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Los Angeles
TC88: Debugging bad MPG and engine running rich
Have a 2001 Electra Glide and have been getting really bad gas mileage (about 25mpg). Checked spark plugs and they are super black and have non-shiny sooty look. Based on what I see online this would imply engine is running rich. Sometimes when I'm stopped at a red light or after a ride I smell a slight gas smell. Power feels fine, and only other thing I notice is if I try starting bike a few times in a row I sometimes need to wait a little before it would start (presumably from flooding the engine maybe).
I cleaned the air filter, changed the spark plugs, and ran some seafoam with a tank of gas, and that didn't solve the issue. Did a lot of searching online and can't figure out exact next step here. Would it be trying to tune the carb to make it run leaner, or somehow testing/replacing other parts? I don't have much experience with carbs as I mostly had Fuel Injection in the past, so don't want to start messing with things until I know I am look at the right thing.
Appreciate any input. Thanks
I cleaned the air filter, changed the spark plugs, and ran some seafoam with a tank of gas, and that didn't solve the issue. Did a lot of searching online and can't figure out exact next step here. Would it be trying to tune the carb to make it run leaner, or somehow testing/replacing other parts? I don't have much experience with carbs as I mostly had Fuel Injection in the past, so don't want to start messing with things until I know I am look at the right thing.
Appreciate any input. Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Puyallup Wa.
There's definitely probably Lots information still out there on carburetors I have my own preference for Mikuni. What carburetor do you have the CV?
A thought you might try in a different section of the forum where the bikes are more likely to have carburetors there's probably somebody really still in touch with carb tuning. Maybe like the Evo section?
A thought you might try in a different section of the forum where the bikes are more likely to have carburetors there's probably somebody really still in touch with carb tuning. Maybe like the Evo section?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
If your're not sure about overhauling the carb take the bike to your local indy and have him do the over haul for you. Not to bust your chops, but when you start the bike using the enrichener **** you have to push that **** back in after the bike is running, otherwise it can and does foul out plugs. That's a good source of extra fuel going through the engine.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: poway
If you bought the bike and it got this mileage, sounds like someone put a jet kit in it, Replace the needle, needle jet and emulsion tube. Also make sure the pilot jet is no larger than a 48.
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Los Angeles
Sorry for the newbie questions.
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From: poway
I do recall the previous owner saying the bike was rejetted when he switched to straight exhausts. When I rebuild the carb, are needle/needle jet and emulsion tubes parts you always replace, or things to inspect and only replace if bad? And if the pilot jet is not larger than 48 should I still downsize it or tweak anything else, or should be fine as is?
Sorry for the newbie questions.
Sorry for the newbie questions.
If different you may want to change it back to stock. If the needle has a clip that can be moved up and down, the needle won't be stock either and should be replaced. Stock needle has a pressed on hat so it's position is fixed. Some of the kits out there do wonders for throttle response but pay for it with pretty crappy mileage.
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