will running lean damage the engine?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 4, 2010 | 06:54 PM

#11

Wrench53

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 124

Likes: 5

If you just go out and ride in town,then some freeway and back home, idling and stop lights load the plugs. On a carbed bike, you want to know if the jet size is rich,lean or just right. Same thing on an FI bike except you're looking at the map. The way I was taught many moons ago and still do now is ride the freeway at 65-70 mph for 5-10 min. and at a good exit, at speed pull in the clutch an hit the kill switch and coast down the ramp,pull over, let it cool down a bit, pull and read the plugs. That seniro gives a pretty go read of the main jet (carbed bike) and the cruise area of an FI bike. From what you describe I would check the nuts on the exhaust and check the intake for leaks. Do make sure you have good clean gas. Water in the fuel system causes lots of problems that clear up after a fresh tank. Not sure which emc you have, the early do have problems of their own.

Jun 4, 2010 | 07:03 PM

#12

xxxflhrci

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 10,033

Likes: 29

There is lean and there is way too lean. If you have an intake leak and run it hard for a bit, you may find out the results of "way too lean"...a hole burned in a piston. I've done it twice on my Ironhead.

Jun 4, 2010 | 07:14 PM

#13

piasspj

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 9,205

Likes: 372

From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74

Not sure why you would expect Sea Foam to cure a lean running condition. Sounds like it isn't tuned right, could be due to free flowing exhaust and A/C.
Shutting down the engine while under power will leave the plugs in the condition the bike is running at while under power. Pulling the clutch in avoids rapid deceleration (harsh engine braking) while doing this.

Jun 4, 2010 | 08:52 PM

#14

Sgt. Fury

Tourer

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 350

Likes: 1

From: Floridia

Sounds like an intake leak. You can track it down with some carb cleaner.

Jun 5, 2010 | 05:39 AM

#15

grbrown

Club Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 45,429

Likes: 2,897

From: Bedford UK

I wouldn't do any plug checks at speed in its current condition! Otherwise I agree with the others, the cause needs finding and fixing. I would start at the gas tank if there is a filter in there, then drain it to clear out any condensed water, work through intake leaks then exhaust leaks. If that doesn't sort it a trip to a local friendly dealer or indy is in order!

Jun 5, 2010 | 07:29 AM

#16

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvsteve

White clean plugs without a residue isn't necessarily indicative of a lean condition.

This is true. Judging mixture by the color of the plugs is not a valid method when running unleaded gas, except in cases of excessive richness when they will have a sooty look to them. In the days of leaded gas it was easy to determine the correct mixture by plug color/tone, but it isn't so easy today.

Excessive leanness can cause detonation and this will show on the plugs as pitting, and heat-range can be determined by the tone of the electrode tip. It changes tone part of the way down and where the change occurs is telling. Halfway usually indicates the proper heat range.

Plugs should look clean, white or off-white, on the porcelain--darker on the edges and a clean medium tone on the electrode tip.

Quote:

Some of your symptoms sound like a dirty IAC but I can't remember if the 2002 RK's have the Delphi injection.

That was the first year of Delphi.

Jun 15, 2010 | 08:45 PM

#17

zepfanmd

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

From: Baltimore

thanks to all!
i took it to an indy dealer, he equipped me with a vance and hines fuel pack, and tuned it to match my new pipes, and she is running smoother than ever...never sounded better!!

Jun 15, 2010 | 10:03 PM

#18

Potato_Potato

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 2,600

Likes: 7

From: Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger56528

1st off sea foam is old tech stuff,being in the boat biz I see alot of messed up carbs from sea foam,Even in FI motors I still wouldnt use it and I used to sell it in the auto biz for 13yrs...Anyways.......

Running Lean is bad for any motor,score pistons and rings and walls,run hot bla bla bla........Best to dump all stuff out go with New gas without additives and get a tune up.......

Curious as to how Sea Foam messes up carbs & FIs. Old tech? What would you recommend that is better?