Looking for some info. Have a '09 Ultra. Stage 1, with V&H's Monster Ovals, Power-Chambers and their hi-flo a/c. It has the HD Stage 1 download on it, and at one time I had the V&H's fuel-pak. With all of this the bike ran good and did not have any 'pinging'. After all the good talk of Fuel-Moto on this site I ordered a Power Commander with their map pre-loaded for my set-up. Now with the PC-5 instead of the Fuel-Pak the bike does run WAY better. More power, cooler etc. definite improvement except that now under load I get 'pinging'. I run 91 octane fuel and put new plugs in when I installed the PC-5. After a 400 mile ride, had the pinging, pulled the plugs and they are whiteish colour. Lean? I will give FM a call but was wondering if anyone has had the similar issue or anything similar. Thanks for any info.

 

I believe its normal for the plugs to look white with FI engines.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

My bike was pinging a little also....2800-3100rpm while on the throttle.
Called FM and was sent another map to try.Have'nt been able to try it yet.

Not all bikes are going to run exactly the same with the same map.

 

Your plugs should be tan, not white. You may be a little on the lean side but I doubt by too much.

Ping is usually caused by timing too far advanced or a lean condition. You have a few (cost free) options. Call FuelMoto and describe the problem and they'll send you a new map to try out. Or...if you know where in the rpm/load the ping occurs you could retard your timing a degree or two in the map you have in the problem areas until the problem clears up. If you do this keep an unmolested copy of your original map in case you hose it up. At least then you'll have a starting point for the next attempt.

 

http://www.misterfixit.com/deton.htm

Here are several reasons explained, but it sounds like your running lean with white plugs

 

Personally I haven't had much success pulling timing. Just makes the bike loose power. IMHO add fuel. Works for me.

 

After the recent run on all these "Pinging" issues on the forums, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe the gas we're all putting in our bikes has something to do with it. Summer gas?? Not sure what all that is..more ethanol (never know just exactly how much they actually put in). Maybe the gasoline places we're buying from, have the gas a little watered down to make a little more $$...
Seems odd that all these newer bikes are showing the same problems--sorry-issues.. Hummmm My .02 cents

Postman
2011 FLHTK
Leesburg, FL

 

Thanks for the replys. Being the weekend I didn't call FM but from what I gather they offer great service so a fix is out there. The thing was with the Fuel-Pak there was no pinging, now there is. But as I said the bike runs 10x's better with the PC-5 and FM map, so hopefully there is not a trade off. One thing I did notice is that my fuel mileage is much better, so maybe the bike isn't getting the fuel it did before. My 96" with this set-up and my buddies stock 103" has a hard time keeping up...and to think I almost traded up!!! I agree with the 'bad gas' comment. A few stations around me (in Canada) have sold bad fuel ie: WATER!!

 

I think your going to find its the Map, not bad fuel. FM should set you up.

 

People that think plugs today are not white are living in the past. Todays fuels are different and reading plugs like in the old days is not the same. could be not enough fuel or to much timing or a combo of both. It could be caused by a little carbon build up on the pistons causing an increase in CR.

I had an 04 EGC that I had on the dyno many times and it had perfect afr at WOT and at all cruise ranges and spark plugs were white. Only way to tell if it is in too lean is by doing an AFR check.

 

I had the exact same problem...with PC and new map from Fuel Moto. From forum members advice I changed the ignition tables -2 where the pinging occured, I loaded new map and it is gone. Of course the bike will feel ever so slightly more sluggish with retarding the iginition tables but it is worth it to keep the engine safe.
good luck